Technology in Nursing

Introduction

I possess a caring nature, and the decision to pursue a career in nursing was informed predominantly by the suitability of this characteristic in the nursing profession. While my caring nature was the fundamental drive for the pursuit of a career in nursing, other elements that contributed to this decision were the nature of the work and the perks that come with being a nurse. For example, the supportive work environment required to coordinate patient care effectively facilitates a cordial relationship with colleagues and continuous learning from more experienced practitioners in the field (Pepito & Locsin, 2019). With such exposure, one can choose different areas of specialization in the nursing career, such as critical or emergency care, pediatrics, geriatrics, or specific disease care.

The nursing work extensively involves offering care for patients that involve administration of medication, meeting the needs of patients, and documentation of the proceeding of care for each patient during working hours that is handed over to the incoming nurse after a shift to carry on. The flexibility of working hours and the accommodation of nurses learning goals in the assignment of duties also drew me into the nursing field (Seven Nursing Technologies Transforming Patient Care, 2022). Notably, the ability to work in the nursing profession with the accomplishment of different academic milestones offered a unique opportunity to earn an income while still learning.

Impact of technology

Technology has transformed the nursing profession with the implementation of electronic health record-keeping, easy coordination of care among different care providers, automation of some care processes, such as monitoring patients with portable monitors, and increased speeds of generating lab results. According to Hofmann (2015), medical organizations rely upon up to 30 different technological solutions across organizational operations. These solutions vary from managing human resources, finances, quick books, and medical practices. The introduction of electronic health record-keeping resulted in increased efficiency in the delivery of care due to the ease of access to medical records eliminating the need for patients to carry their health records every time they visit a care center (Bailey, 2021). With a centralized management system being implemented, there was an improvement in scheduling nurses working shifts using resource-demand management that examines the caseload information and staff availability. These functions are built into the systems with workforce management solutions that facilitate managers ability to control operating costs.

According to Gottlieb (2003), the main applications of technology leveraged in the healthcare environment render benefits, such as fewer appointment delays, lower cancelations, and improved operational efficiency. Since the nursing profession is information-based, technology facilitates access to information where it is needed, instantly supporting the nurses decision-making process. Consequently, there is increased accuracy in the care process by eliminating errors initially caused by discrepancies in the information sharing process and human errors (Fox, 2016). For example, the remote monitoring process and point of care alerts alarm the nurse in case of an emergency or the patient requires assistance. The introduction of automated measurement tools and graphical representation of core patient care assessments also assist the nurses in adhering to evidence-based standards of care, resulting in better patient health outcomes.

Amidst the technology integration into healthcare, nurses can use the head, hand, and heart approach that blends practical knowledge,...…nursing care can be accessed on nursing applications, such as nursing centers, which are available across different platforms. This application is designed to keep nurses up-to-date with all nursing news. Nursing Central is considered the leading source of breaking news in the nursing profession and offers news on recent technological developments, diseases, and drugs. MedPage can also be accessed from ones phone or computer and offers information on these developments. Subscribing to journals and magazines also offers dedicated sections that focus on familiarizing nurses with technological developments (Pepito & Locsin, 2019). For example, HealthTech Magazine and The American Journal of Nursing (AJN) are recognized among professionals as leading sources of technological changes in the nursing field.

Subscribing to online or physical copies is effective for nurses to keep themselves familiar with technological developments in their field. Advancing academic qualifications also aligns with the nursing professions prerogative of continued learning (Pepito & Locsin, 2019). Continuing education exposes nurses to emerging technologies and equips them with the necessary skills to effectively implement and use these technologies in care environments. This approach not only helps nurses remain current but also helps them advance their careers while also helping them too technologically savvy.

Refrences

Bailey, S. (2021).How Technology Has Changed the Role of Nursing. Nurse Journal. Retrieved 18 July 2022, from https://nursejournal.org/articles/technology-changing-nursing-roles/.

Benefits of Technology in Nursing. Regis College Online. (2021). Retrieved 18 July 2022, from https://online.regiscollege.edu/blog/benefits-health-information-technology-nurse-practitioners/.

Fox, R. C. (2016). Advanced Medical Technology--Social and Ethical Implications.Annual

Garcia-Dia, M. (2020). Balancing care with technology.Nursing Management,51(4), 56-56. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.numa.0000657280.44223.10

Gottlieb, S. (2003). The Future of Medical Technology.The New Atlantis,1, 7987. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43152854

Henk A. (2020). Medical Technology Assessment and Ethics Ambivalent Relations.The Hastings…