In this increasingly digitized world, technology has proven beneficial to nearly every industry in some way or another — including healthcare. Information technology (IT), in particular, has several care benefits, including (but not limited to): less human error, improved care accessibility, financial efficiency and faster results processing.
Information technology has also allowed nurses to collaborate with other healthcare facilities instantaneously and ensure all professionals responsible for care are informed about their patients’ current needs. Yet, despite this progression, some nurses resist the move towards technology within the healthcare environment. However, as technology garners more acceptance, nurse leaders believe everyone will ultimately benefit.
A LinkedIn article explains that while some nurses oppose aspects of new technology, such as the added time needed to learn or use technologies or feeling that remote care is impersonal, a 2018 study “of more than 600 nurses, an overwhelming majority — 82 percent — said they have a somewhat or very positive view of how technology is affecting patient care.”
How IT Is Shaping the Healthcare Industry
Emerging technologies and the development and optimization of resources like electronic health records “can strengthen the relationship between patients and clinicians,” giving patients more access and agency and improving efficiency and communication lines for RNs.
One could argue that setbacks surrounding technology do exist — especially in terms of adopting its use. Yet, these setbacks are minimal compared to the advantages of IT advancements.
For instance, IT continues to shape the healthcare industry by improving public health outcomes and quality patient care. Many healthcare organizations have implemented virtual patient portals where patients have greater control over their health records and appointment scheduling. They are even able to communicate directly with healthcare providers. This option has resulted in patients being more satisfied with their healthcare experience.
Benefits of IT
New advancements in IT have resulted in fewer patient errors when recording and inputting data. Before technological advances, nurses had to manually transcribe all information, which left a lot of room for mistakes. It also became time-consuming and often burdensome for other staff members.
With electronic documentation, nurses can spend more time with their patients — instead of focusing on completing paperwork before the day ends. This helps them create stronger bonds with their patients and prevents the risk of burnout from spending too much time on “administrative” duties.
And health technology innovations now allow individuals to access information at the touch of a button. Patients with smart devices such as Apple or Android products can locate their healthcare data from anywhere in the world.
Patients and nurses alike benefit from the many advancements in health information technology.
Transform Your IT Skills With a Bachelor’s Degree
One way to transform your IT skills as a nurse is to further your career and earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Those who enroll in the Registered Nurse (RN) to BSN online program at William Paterson University will equip themselves with the necessary IT skills for the modern nursing field and learn to utilize information technology in their nursing practice. For example, several program courses feature digital clinical experiences for students to enhance their use of IT in healthcare environments.
Students in this program will prepare for a successful nursing practice that empowers them to deliver expert care and compassion to diverse patients in various settings. The program provides students with everything they need to synthesize knowledge from the humanities, natural and behavioral sciences and nursing practice to implement critical decisions. Depending on one’s schedule, students can complete the program in as few as 10 months.
Each future nursing graduate will obtain the knowledge and skills required to enter influential roles in the healthcare field, such as surgical nurse, pediatric nurse, hospice nurse, nurse case manager or critical care nurse.
Learn more about William Paterson University’s online RN to BSN program.
