The role of technology is expanding rapidly in almost every industry, and healthcare is no exception. Market research firm Grand View Research has estimated that the global digital health market will see an impressive annual growth rate of nearly 19% through 2030.
The role of nurses has already been affected by advances in technology. As the foundation of the healthcare system, nurses need to continue to enhance their expertise in technology and learn how it can help them carry out their responsibilities and promote positive health outcomes for their patients.
Those who may be considering enrolling in a nursing school program should learn about the nursing technology skills that are fundamental to nursing practice.
Types of Nursing Technology
Nurses can be called upon to use any of a broad range of technologies as they care for their patients. Types of nursing technology include the following:
Healthcare and medical devices with built-in technology. Examples of devices with built-in technology that nurses use include mobile carts that carry computers, video conferencing technology, and wireless communication tools. Other examples are smart beds that monitor patients’ vital signs, automated intravenous (IV) pumps, and viewfinders that can identify veins for IV insertions.
Electronic health record systems. As the use of hard-copy health records continues to decline, nurses use electronic health record systems for several purposes. For example, they need to read patients’ medical histories, learn about their test results, and view their medication lists.
Patient monitoring systems. Nurses no longer only monitor patients at the bedside. They can now use monitoring systems that transmit information directly to nurses about their patients’ health and help nurses identify medical issues promptly.
Telehealth technology. An increase in the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and a nationwide shortage of nurses have made telehealth skills essential in nursing. Nurses use telehealth technology as a tool for both communicating with their patients and treating their patients’ health conditions.
Predictive technology. Technology that can predict potential health issues based on an examination of historical data is becoming more common. These predictive tools can enable nurses to detect and address patients’ health issues more rapidly.
Robotics technology. Robots are starting to be used to help nurses with some of their responsibilities, such as gathering supplies or lifting their patients.
5 Technology Skills in Nursing
Nurses need core clinical nursing skills to effectively perform their duties, but nurses’ skills in technology will become more important as technological advances continue to influence how they do their jobs. Some of the most important technology skills for nurses are discussed below.
1. General Information Technology System Skills
Nurses need to be proficient in using automated systems of all kinds. With healthcare organizations adopting more types of systems, from electronic health record systems to electronic prescribing systems to clinical decision support systems, nurses benefit from developing strong skills in navigating automated systems and using them to seamlessly manage their responsibilities.
2. Communications Technology Skills
Communications skills in nursing have always been important, and in contemporary nursing practice that extends to communications technology skills. For example, nurses need to be able to use telehealth technology, teleconferencing technology, and image sharing technology. They also can benefit from becoming adept at using audiovisual communication systems that are designed for specific patient needs, such as wound care.
3. Technology-Based Medical Device Skills
The number of technology-based medical devices that nurses use in caring for their patients is growing. Examples of these devices include patient monitoring equipment, patient mobility devices, patient smart beds, and medication machines.
4. Data Analytics Skills
Technology in nursing is becoming more dependent on data analytics. As a result, nurses can benefit from developing basic or even advanced data analytics skills. Skills in this area can help nurses use predictive technology and record data properly for subsequent use in data analysis.
5. Skills in Integrating Technology Into Nursing Practice
Technology can do great things in healthcare, but it’s not useful unless nurses know how to integrate it into their work. Nurses can benefit from developing their ability to integrate technology of all kinds into their nursing practice. A study published in BMC Nursing in 2023 concluded that nurses who have the ability to integrate technology into their work can strengthen their nursing competencies and improve their job satisfaction levels.
Advances in Nursing Technology
As nursing technology continues to advance, the role of nurses will change along with it. A 2021 report in the medical journal BMJ suggested that the following types of nursing technology will have a impact on the profession:
Artificial intelligence. An increase in the application of artificial intelligence to healthcare practices could be instrumental in helping nurses in their overall decision-making and in detecting issues, such as patients’ infections, more promptly.
Advanced robotics. As robotics technology becomes more specialized, it could do more to support patients who have physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments, which could have a significant effect on nurses’ responsibilities.
Smart home technology. Advances in technology that patients can use in their homes could alter the ways in which nurses monitor and care for certain patients.
Technology has the potential to transform the overall structure of nursing work as well. A 2023 report in the journal Nurse Leader envisioned a future in which a contemporary nursing unit that employs 10 nurses could be transformed into a unit that employs six nurses and four technology resources (or machines) that manage some of the nonclinical work that the nurses are currently performing.
The International Council of Nurses believes that advances in digital technology have the potential to enable nurses to to do the following:
Handle a wider range of responsibilities and work more efficiently
Provide more portable services to patients
Use virtual learning to more quickly learn about developments in nursing practice
Nursing Technology: A Vital Tool in Advancing Nursing Practice
As technology evolves, developing the skills to put nursing technology to work in healthcare is becoming more important. Nurses who know how to get the most out of technology have the opportunity to foster innovation in nursing practice.
Individuals who are interested in entering the nursing profession or advance along the nursing career path can explore the Fortis nursing school programs to learn how those programs can help them achieve their goals.
With practical nursing programs for those who want to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and Associate Degree in Nursing programs for those who want to become registered nurses (RNs), Fortis offers nursing education programs for individuals at different points along the nursing career path.
Start accomplishing your nursing career goals today.
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