Objectives: The objectives of this research were to examine and describe the historical development of the nursing profession as well as to examine and describe the generational characteristics of nurses/technicians in terms of generation, gender and educational level with the perception of dimensions of nursing in terms of leadership and workplace and self assessment of professional identity and to compare the results obtained between all four generations. Subjects and methods: Historical, qualitative and quantitative research was carried out. The historical research was based on a review of archival material, available literature and historical writings. The qualitative research was conducted through interviews and focus groups and the quantitative research through two questionnaires MNGQ and NPIS. The respondents were nurses/technicians in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County region. Results: Through historical research, we confirmed that the key points of the progress of nursing were the progress of systematic education, epidemics and the progress of medicine that characterized each generation of nurses/technicians. Through qualitative research, we identified the characteristics of each generation. Through quantitative research, we found that there are statistically significant differences between the generational characteristics of nurses in terms of generation, gender, and educational level with perceptions of dimensions of nursing related to leadership, workplace, and self-assessment of professional identity between each generation. The research results confirm the high reliability and validity of the Croatian version of the MNGQ and NPIS questionnaires, and both questionnaires can be used in the Croatian context. Conclusion: A combination of historical, qualitative and quantitative data provides a comprehensive insight into the challenges, perceptions and needs of nurses across different generations. Understanding these dynamics is critical to developing strategies, educational programs and work environments that promote collaboration, diversity and long-term satisfaction among nurses. All generations bring their unique perspectives and skills to nursing practice, and creating an inclusive environment is critical to improving the quality of care and the sustainability of the healthcare system.