Contributor: Rebecca Jayne Burns

In this digital age, the post you are reading is already outdated. So, I am not far off base when pondering the relevance of nursing theory’s place here. Does nursing theory and technology align? In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the integration of nursing theory with technology has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing the way we (nurses) deliver patient care. As you and fellow caregivers strive to provide high-quality, patient-centered care, we are increasingly turning to technology to streamline processes, improve communication, and enhance clinical outcomes. In this blog post, I would like us to explore how the synergy between nursing theory and technology is shaping the future of nursing practice.

Bridging Theory with Practice

Nursing theories provide a framework for understanding the complexities of patient care, guiding us in our decision-making and practice. By integrating technology into these theoretical frameworks, we can effectively translate theory into action at the bedside. For example, the application of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring can be enhanced through the use of telehealth platforms, allowing nurses to connect with patients remotely while still fostering therapeutic relationships and promoting healing.

Promoting Evidence-Based Practice

Technology plays a pivotal role in facilitating evidence-based practice (EBP) among us, enabling us to access the latest research findings, clinical guidelines, and best practices in real-time. Through electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical decision support systems (CDSS), we seamlessly integrate evidence-based interventions into our plans of care, ensuring that our practice and patient care is grounded in the latest scientific evidence and aligned with nursing theory.

Enhancing Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration are essential components of nursing practice, and technology serves as a powerful tool for fostering teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration. Nursing theories such as Hildegard Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations Theory emphasize the importance of therapeutic communication in nursing practice. By leveraging communication technologies such as secure messaging platforms and video conferencing tools, we can enhance communication with colleagues, patients, and other members of the healthcare team, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Empowering Patients

Incorporating technology into nursing practice empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey, aligning with nursing theories that emphasize patient autonomy and empowerment. Mobile health apps, wearable devices, and patient portals enable patients to monitor their health status, track progress towards their goals, and communicate with their healthcare providers. By embracing these technological innovations, we can support patients in managing their health and making informed decisions about their care, in accordance with nursing theories such as Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory.

Addressing Ethical and Legal Considerations

As we navigate the integration of technology into our practice, it is essential to consider the ethical and legal implications of these innovations. Nursing theories provide a framework for ethical decision-making, guiding nurses in upholding the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, and respect for patient autonomy. By critically examining the ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of technology in nursing practice, we can ensure that patient care remains patient-centered, compassionate, and ethically sound.

In conclusion, the integration of nursing theory with technology holds immense promise for advancing patient care in the digital age. By leveraging technology to bridge theory with practice, promote evidence-based practice, enhance communication and collaboration, empower patients, and address ethical and legal considerations, we can fulfill our role as advocates, educators, and caregivers, while upholding the core principles of nursing theory. As we continue to embrace technological innovations, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to providing whole-person, compassionate, and evidence-based care to those entrusted to our care

About Rebecca Jayne Burns, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN, ACUE

Dr. Rebecca Burns is an accomplished nursing professional in teaching and research initiatives. Her primary concentration is identifying nursing practice deficits, recognizing error origins as being multifactorial, and examining how clinical preparation, organizational culture, structure, and methods of evaluating outcomes impact the delivery of care. Most recently, Dr. Burns developed and implemented an alternate pathway for associate degree nurses to reach their BSN sooner through a co-enrollment model. Burns previous academic appointments, leadership experience, and record of program success places her with a unique advantage to ensure nursing students receive the highest quality education and experiences while they excel in their academic journeys. She currently serves as the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education at UNTHSC‘s College of Nursing, is a DNP to PhD bridge student at TWU, and maintains strong ties to course development, curriculum, and learning outcomes for the online learner. As an Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) certified educator, she ensures the delivery of the highest-quality courses, pathways, and certifications based on evidence-based practices that make a huge impact on student success.