How Technology has Changed the Role of Nursing

Nursing is a vital part of healthcare. In recent years, technology has changed to a great extent the way nurses work. For instance, Telehealth usage surged up to 200% in virtual consultations across the country during Covid19 pandemic. The trend for virtual everything has been continuing since. Technology has specially improved patient care and made jobs of nurses easier. 

In this article, we will discuss the ways how technology has shaped the field of Nursing.

Ways How Technology Has Changed The Role Of Nursing

Here is a list of ways how technology has changed the role of Nursing:

Improved Ways Of Communication

    Technology has made communication much easier. This is especially so for healthcare workers. In the past, nurses only relied on taking/leaving notes for doctors. This led to confusion and delays. 

    Now, secure messaging systems allow nurses to communicate very clearly and quickly. This helps everyone work better together.

    Telehealth’s Remote Care

      • Telehealth has gained popularity as of lately. It enables nurses to have virtual visits with patients by using phone/video calls. This is great for patients who live far away or cannot get to a clinic. 
      • For instance, a Nurse checks on patients with chronic illnesses and gives advice on their care. They are essentially  able to answer questions – all from a distance. This saves a lot of time and makes healthcare easy to access.

      Better Training And Education

        • The training of nurses has now evolved with a rise in technology. Nursing schools now incorporate even more technology into their programs. Students get to learn to use EHRs, telehealth platforms and data analysis tools before graduation. 
        • Simulation training has also become more common as well. Nursing students get to practice their skills in safe environments by using realistic mannequins and virtual scenarios. This kind of hands-on experience prepares them for real-life situations that they get to face as nurses.

        Improved Monitoring Of Patients

          • Technology encourages patients to be more actively involved in their healthcare. With online portals and apps, patients get to access their healthcare information, schedule appointments and communicate with the healthcare providers. This kind of empowerment leads to a better health outcome. 
          • Nurses play a very important role in guiding patients about ways of using these technologies. For example, it teaches patients how to use health apps for tracking symptoms and medication schedules. 

          When patients get actively engaged in their care, they are more likely to follow treatment plans and maintain their health.

          Data-Driven Decision Making

            • Technology enables nurses to use data and make better decisions. Advanced analytics tools aid nurses in analyzing large amounts of patient data. By looking at this information, nurses get to identify trends and evaluate their outcomes. 
            • For instance, if a hospital notices a rise in rates of infection, nurses can analyze data to understand why that is happening and take steps to improve the care. This kind of data-driven approach leads to better patient outcomes and enhances the overall quality of care.

            Challenges And Considerations

            While technology does indeed bring benefits, it also comes with a lot of challenges. A major concern is data privacy. Nurses must ensure that patient information is always kept safe and secure. They need to be aware of regulations like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). This act protects patient information. 

            • Another challenge is the potential for technology to take away from the personal connection between nurses and patients. If nurses spend too much time on screens and computers, then they end up missing opportunities for making meaningful interactions with patients. 

            Hence, it becomes very essential to balance technology with compassionate care for maintaining strong nursing-patient relationships.

            Future Of Nursing: How It Looks Like?

            As technology advances, Nursing will continue to evolve. New developments like  Machine learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence) have the potential to enhance the practice of Nursing. For instance, AI helps analyze patient data and predict different health outcomes. 

            It allows nurses in areas like elder care, where robotic nurses help with daily tasks. These innovations improve efficiency thereby allowing nurses to spend more time on direct patient care.

            Can Nurses Get Replaced By Technology?

            Technology is not very likely to replace nurses but there’s a dire need for nurses to adapt to technology for their daily work. This technology enables nurses to administer medicine more efficiently, monitor vitals of patients and care for more patients each day.

            These kinds of ever-changing technological advancements in the field of Nursing are considered to be the wave of the future in the sector of Healthcare. New technologies like apps, EHRs and AI Development are being integrated more and more into healthcare systems. 

            IT (Information Technology) has the capacity to improve the role of Nurse very positively.

            In Conclusion, 

            Technology has fundamentally changed the Nursing profession and influences how nurses provide care, communicate and engage with patients. While these changes do offer a lot of advantages, they also require nurses to adapt continuously to new methods and tools. 

            Join us at Clara Barton School of Nursing, where you will not only get to learn the fundamentals of Nursing but also ways of harnessing the power of technology. Together let’s shape the future of healthcare!

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