Psychometric validation of the Multidimensional Nursing Generations Questionnaire (MNGQ).

AIMS: To perform a psychometric test of the factor structure of the Multidimensional Nursing Generation Questionnaire, an instrument developed to measure nursing generational characteristics in the workplace and investigate the relations among its factors and background variables. BACKGROUND: Nurses today include members of the Baby Boomer and X and Y generations, whose characteristics in the work environment have not been studied thoroughly. DESIGN: Instrument and construct cross-sectional study for psychometric testing/validation. METHODS: Questionnaire components and constructs were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modelling and Cronbach's alpha. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in November 2016 on a sample of Finnish and Italian nurses working in public hospitals (N = 3,218). RESULTS: Eight hundred twenty-two nurses completed the questionnaire, where CFA identified 48 items and six factors with acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha range: 0.73-0.88): (a) Conflicts between generations; (b) Patient safety view; (c) Relationships issues between generations; (d) Working as a multigenerational team; (e) Orientation to change; and (f) Work propensity and availability. Various relations were identified among the background variables and factors that related largely to generational belonging, educational level and country. CONCLUSION: The final version of the questionnaire demonstrates a more robust factor structure than did the preliminary. Further tests should be conducted on nurses in different countries/cultures and work environments. IMPACT: The complete validation of the Multidimensional Nursing Generation Questionnaire will provide research evidence useful to create an inclusive work environment for each generation.