Lived Experiences and Perspectives on Work Commitment and Attitudes of Millennial and Gen Z Nurses in Selected Hospitals in Caloocan

This qualitative descriptive study explored and described the work commitment and attitudes of Millennial and Generation Z nurses in selected hospitals in Caloocan City, Philippines, through their firsthand lived experiences. It was guided by the grand tour question of how the two generational cohorts differ in their work commitment and attitudes. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with Millennial and Generation Z registered nurses selected through purposive sampling until data saturation. The participants’ responses were organized into qualitative matrices that compared the two cohorts across the dimensions of work commitment, dedication and loyalty, motivation, job satisfaction, workplace challenges, patient care, retention, and generational perspectives, from which initial and final themes were derived and synthesized, and the findings were interpreted through Benner’s Novice to Expert, King’s Goal Attainment, and Orem’s Self-Care Deficit theories. Results showed that Millennial nurses embody a resilient, duty-driven model of nursing grounded in endurance, sacrifice, and oath-bound loyalty, foregrounding financial stability, family responsibility, and systemic reforms, while Generation Z nurses embody a sustainable, adaptive model grounded in communication, balance, and modern approaches, with commitment shaped by supportive environments, mentorship, and mental-health awareness. Both generations converged on patient-centered care, teamwork, and nursing as a vocation, with patient outcomes and gratitude serving as universal motivators. The study is limited to selected hospitals in one city and to self-reported accounts, so findings are not broadly generalizable and invite further comparative and longitudinal inquiry. The study concludes that the two generational models are complementary rather than oppositional and recommends generation-sensitive institutional reforms—fair compensation, adequate resources, and stronger governance for Millennials, and mentorship, work-life balance, and mental-health support for Generation Z—to build a nursing workforce that is both resilient and sustainable.