Abstract:
The descriptive research design aimed at studying the work engagement of generation y professional nurses. The study was divided into two phases. Phase 1 involved a literature review and focus group discussions with seven generation y professional nurses. Phase 2 employed the Delphi technique. The subjects were composed of 21 experts divided into the following four groups: 1) four nursing administrators; 2) ten generation y professional nurses; 3) three human resource instructors and 4) four nursing instructors or nursing academics. The methodologies can be divided into three steps. Step 1 involved interviews with the experts about the characteristics of work engagement in generation y professional nurses. In Step 2, data were analyzed by using content analysis for developing the rating scale questionnaire. All of the items in the questionnaire were ranked for level of work engagement. In Step 3, data were analyzed by using median and quartile range for the development of a new version of the questionnaire. The new questionnaire was submitted to experts to confirm the previously ranked items. Data were re-analyzed by median and interquartile range to summarize the study. Data with a median of greater than 3.50 and an interquartile range of less than 1.00 were included in this study. According to the research findings, the experts opinion had a consensus on work engagement in Generation Y professional nurses composed of 4 components and 33 items as follows: 1) intention (11 items); 2) dedication (6 items); 3) pride (7 items);4) creativity (9 items). All of the items are important (Med = 4.50 - 4.85, IR = 0.37 -0.98). The research findings can be used as a guideline for human resource management, enhancing work engagement through the management of generation y professional nurses and development of nursing skills.