The Vital Role of Technology in Nursing

The role of technology has become crucial in shaping the future of healthcare as a form of innovation that has significantly affected the practices of nursing care and patient outcomes in the current high-paced world. Today, as direct care providers, nurses are leveraging on available technology to advance patient safety, quality, and efficiency of service delivery. Incorporating technology in nursing care is not a fad but rather a necessity, fueled by the increasing sophistication of the population's health needs, the call for individualized attention, and the need to reduce adverse events.

Another area in which the use of technology has been felt most profoundly in nursing is the monitoring and documentation of the patient. Paper charts have been replaced by electronic health records (EHRs), allowing nurses to easily find information about their patients. This brings timely updates, prevents errors from illegible writing, and enhances information sharing with healthcare organizations. Furthermore, according to Krick et al. (2019) scoping review, informal and formal care technologies such as the wearable devices and remote monitoring systems have demonstrated acceptance, effectiveness, and efficient use. These technologies allow nurses to monitor the patient’s condition around the clock, including vital signs, medication intake, and activity status, especially after discharge from the hospital, to identify possible complications early and help the patient remain as independent as possible.

Another frontier is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is revolutionizing nursing practice. Robert (2019) explains how the trendy use of artificial intelligence impacts nursing practice by automating care delivery, helping to make clinical decisions, and even recognizing potential clinical deterioration. For example, big data from the EHR can predict which patients will likely develop sepsis or experience a readmission so the nurse can step in. More so, in medication administration, intelligent technologies such as bar code technology, automated medication dispensing, and smart infusion pumps have reduced the cases of medication administration mistakes by a large margin. This preserves the patients’ safety and frees up the nurses’ time to be more attentive to the patients.

In this context, the role of technology extends beyond patient care to encompass aspects of nursing education. In her thought-provoking article, Şenyuva (2019) discusses how technological advances continue to impact the education of nursing professionals and the importance of becoming technologically competent. Virtual training, E-learning, virtual simulations, and augmented reality help nurses hone their skills, stay up to date with current healthcare practices, and even rehearse complex procedures in low-risk virtual scenarios. Such continuous learning is relevant in a field that frequently updates standard operating procedures and recommends practices. Moreover, telehealth and telenursing have provided additional access points for consultation and even constant home checkups for chronically ill patients, alleviating healthcare inequalities in less privileged areas.

However, some barriers prevent technology from being utilized in nursing. In the same study, Krick et al. (2019) indicate that despite the numerous works embracing the benefits of these core technologies, more and improved quality research are required. Some fears are connected with the alienation of the interaction process; sometimes, a technologically mediated relationship between a nurse and a patient is possible. However, problems related to data protection, cyber-security, and the digital gap require attention to promote equal and safe access to digital health technology.

In conclusion, the use of technology in practice has made nursing a more secure profession, works more productively, and has assumed more nursing activities. We are now witnessing AI in helping clinical decisions, telehealth consultation, virtual classroom, and telemonitoring; its myriad applications allow nurses to deliver better quality and targeted care. However, as Şenyuva (2019) pointed out, people’s input is invaluable, which is still beyond the reach of artificial intelligence. Nursing is a form of art that entails providing compassionate feelings shown to patients and clients. Therefore, implementing technology should be seen as a complement to existing care, not a replacement for it. As healthcare continues to evolve, the successful integration of technology in nursing will depend on striking a balance between leveraging technological advancements and preserving the core values of nursing: intention, care, and the principles of personalized treatment procedures.