10/06/2025
In a healthcare landscape increasingly shaped by technology, digital nursing has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing how care is delivered and managed
Digital nursing technology (DNT) is
the use of digital tools and information systems to support and enhance nursing practice, improve patient outcomes, and streamline administrative tasks. It combines clinical nursing skills with proficiency in technology to deliver and manage healthcare services across various settings, from hospitals and clinics to telehealth and remote care.
Digital nursing integrates technological tools like telemedicine, electronic health records (EHRs), and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance nursing practice. This transformation offers significant benefits, such as improved efficiency and patient access, but it also introduces new challenges, including ethical dilemmas and increased digital workload.
Benefits of digital nursing
Enhanced patient care and safety
• Reduced medical errors: Automated systems, such as electronic medication management systems (EMMS) with barcode scanning, decrease human errors in medication administration. EHRs alert nurses to potential drug interactions or allergies, further enhancing safety.
• Data-driven decisions: Nursing informatics provides access to vast amounts of patient data, allowing nurses to identify trends, predict risks, and inform clinical decisions for better outcomes. AI tools can analyze complex data to assist with diagnostics and treatment planning.
• Remote patient monitoring (RPM): Wearable devices and RPM systems enable real-time tracking of patient vitals and health status outside of clinical settings. This allows for proactive interventions, which can prevent hospitalizations and provide peace of mind for patients with chronic conditions.
Improved access and convenience
• Expanded access to care: Telehealth platforms eliminate geographical barriers, providing care to patients in rural, underserved, or remote areas.
• Convenience for patients: Virtual consultations save patients time and money by reducing the need for travel and time spent in waiting rooms. Patients can also manage chronic conditions from the comfort of their homes.
• Increased patient engagement: Digital tools empower patients to take a more active role in their own health by providing access to educational resources and health records, and facilitating direct communication with their care team.
Greater efficiency and professional development
• Streamlined workflows: EHRs centralize patient information, eliminating the need for paper records and saving time on documentation. Automating routine tasks with mobile robots or AI frees up nurses to focus on direct patient care.
• Improved communication: Digital platforms, such as secure messaging and video conferencing, facilitate real-time communication among nurses, patients, and other healthcare team members. This enhances care coordination and teamwork.
• Career advancement: Proficiency with digital tools and data analysis creates new opportunities for nurses to specialize in fields like nursing informatics. Digital training methods, such as virtual reality simulations, also enhance nursing education.
Shortcomings of digital nursing
The human touch and patient-nurse relationship
• Risk of impersonal care: An increased reliance on technology can lead to less direct human interaction, which can threaten the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. Patients may feel that their care is less personal and more automated.
• "Virtual" vs. "in-person" care: While convenient for minor concerns, telehealth limits the ability to perform physical examinations. Over-reliance on apps instead of in-person exams could lead to untreated or unrecognized medical issues.
Operational and technological hurdles
• Workflow inefficiencies and overload: Some nurses report that implementing new technology can disrupt established workflows and, depending on the system, may initially increase documentation time and workload.
• Technology barriers: The digital divide remains a significant issue, as not all patients have access to the devices, internet connectivity, or digital literacy needed for telehealth and other digital tools.
• System integration issues: Lack of interoperability between different health technologies, like EHRs and monitoring tools, can create data silos and make it difficult to collect comprehensive patient information.
• Training and adaptation: Continuous training is required as technology evolves, but nurses often lack the time or resources for proper training. Older nurses or those less comfortable with technology may also face greater adaptation strains.
Privacy, security, and ethical concerns
• Cybersecurity risks: Storing vast amounts of patient data digitally increases the risk of privacy breaches and cyberattacks. These breaches not only expose sensitive information but can also disrupt care delivery.
• Ethical implications of AI: The use of AI in clinical decision support raises concerns about data consent, potential biases in algorithms, and transparency regarding how technology influences care.
• Data ownership and governance: The collection and sharing of patient data by multiple entities, from hospitals to insurance agencies, raise complex ethical and legal issues regarding data ownership and liability.
Navigating the future of digital nursing
To fully harness the benefits of digital nursing while mitigating its risks, healthcare leaders and nurses must take a collaborative and strategic approach. This includes:
• Prioritizing training: Investing in consistent and comprehensive training for all staff to improve digital literacy and ease the transition to new technologies.
• Involving nurses in implementation: Including nurses in the development and rollout of new digital tools to ensure they support, rather than hinder, clinical workflows.
• Ensuring data security: Implementing robust safeguards, like encryption and compliance with privacy regulations, to protect patient data.
• Maintaining the human element: Designing technology to complement, rather than replace, human interaction. This allows nurses to focus on compassionate, empathy-driven care while technology handles routine tasks.
• Addressing equitable access: Developing strategies to bridge the digital divide and ensure all patients can benefit from digital health advancements.
By addressing these challenges proactively, digital nursing can continue to evolve as a powerful tool for improving patient care, enhancing efficiency, and supporting the nursing profession in the digital age.
