What it means to be a modern Nurse

What it means to be a modern Nurse
What it means to be a modern Nurse

posted 17 Apr 22

Search Editorial Team

While core soft skills such as compassion, communication, and quality care remain essential components of the remit of a Nurse, general trends and expectations have undoubtedly evolved in recent years as nursing has become a more dynamic and modern profession.  

We examine the role of technology in the evolution of  nursing and highlight what it means to be a modern nurse. 

The role of technology in Nursing

Following two digital summits between 2015 and 2016, the Royal College of Nursing launched their ‘Every Nurse an E-Nurse’ campaign with the aim to ensure that nurses across the NHS have the tools, skills, and resources they need to make the best use of technology by 2020. Since then, the role of technology in healthcare has rapidly advanced. Nurses are now much more integrated with technology, using electronic health records (EHRs), telemedecine platforms, wearable devices, and other technologies to provide more efficient and personalised patient care.  

As we continue to experience new technological advancements, nurses are expected to have various soft skills outside of their traditional skillsets to adopt new opportunities and provide a more efficient healthcare service. We break down five ways technology has and will continue to improve the nursing profession and patient care. 

1. Patient-centered care 

Advancement and investment in technology has allowed for improved patient-centered care. Nurses are expected to provide medical care while considering individual needs, preferences, and patient values in their treatment plans. Working closely with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, and therapists, to provide a comprehensive patient-centered care plan encompassing medical and holistic care.  

2. Preventive care  

The healthcare industry now recognises the importance of preventive care in maintaining overall health and reducing healthcare costs by preventing the onset or progression of illnesses, injuries, or health conditions. Preventive care is a proactive approach which includes health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education. From encouraging service users to adopt healthy lifestyles and community health initiatives to immunisations and health assessments, preventive care tasks will be carried out on a daily basis by a modern nurse. 

3. Increased efficiency

Technology has significantly enhanced efficiency in nursing by streamlining various processes, improving communication, and providing valuable tools for patient care. It allows nurses to spend more time on direct patient care, ultimately improving overall quality.  

Some of the technologies contributing to increased efficiency in nursing include: 

  • Electronic health records (EHRs) have replaced traditional paper-based record keeping, allowing nurses to access patient information quickly and securely.  
  • Telemedicine technology has facilitated remote patient monitoring, enabling nurses to provide care without physical presence and allows for some flexible and home working. 
  • Mobile health apps provide easier access to scheduling, communication, medication management, and clinical resources. 
     

Here are just some of the modern technologies promoting patient safety: 

  • Barcode medication administration (BCMA) systems help nurses ensure the correct medication is administered to patients by scanning wristbands and medication labels. 
  • Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) assist nurses in making informed decisions by providing evidence-based guidelines, alerts for potential issues, and relevant patient data, which enhances clinical reasoning and ensures best practice. 
  • Electronic health records (EHRs) centralise patient information and provide an easily accessible and comprehensive view of a patient’s medical history - reducing the risks caused by illegible handwriting and misplaced or incomplete records.  

5. Mental health focus

With a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of mental and physical health, healthcare providers, including nurses, are increasingly acknowledging mental health as an integral aspect of patient care. While nurses will be able to collaborate with other disciplines, a modern nurse will recognise mental health issues early and identify the appropriate intervention to prevent the development of more severe conditions and illnesses. 

Given the dynamic nature of healthcare and increasing demands on nursing, nurses must be adaptable and committed to lifelong learning to stay abreast of new medical technologies, treatments, and best practices. In short, technology continues to impact all areas of our daily lives, and for nurses, it enables them to provide safer personalised care, more efficiently.

 

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