Tapping into Gen Z Ways to Enhance E-learning and Meaningful Connections

Generation-Z born 2000-2009 (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2024) are comfortable with digital technology and connecting with one another using social media platforms. Regardless of this proficiency they may still experience challenges engaging with online learning especially around social cohesion, wellbeing and learning success. Other challenges they may encounter are communicating and interacting face-to-face in the workplace, which is a vital 21st Century graduate attribute. A growing societal concern is staff shortages and unfilled vacancies within the health sector. There are many factors influencing health care workforce shortages, but Generation-Z may be a good fit due to their growing awareness of societal concerns and willingness to upskill. This study seeks to investigate the enablers and barriers impacting Generation-Z nursing students’ ability to successfully engage with e-learning and to communicate effectively in face-to-face interactions within the workplace environment. Furthermore, this study seeks to explore the ways Generation- Z nursing students communicate and interact with each other on social media. The study will use a qualitative, social constructionism (making meaning in a social context) methodology. Methods include three focus group discussions with students aged 18-24 years, enrolled external/online in an undergraduate nursing program, with a minimum of one clinical placement completed or attempted. Data will be analysed using thematic analysis process proposed by Braun and Clarke (2022). Findings will inform e-learning design strategies that address the identified barriers and use the enablers to help Generation-Z successfully transfer their social media communication knowledge and skills to better engage with online learning, leading to higher satisfaction and completion rates. These strategies include supporting the transference of their fluent online social media communication skills to build and use meaningful connections relevant to the healthcare workplace that further supports the enablement of the graduate attribute, effective communicator.