The Future of Nursing Informatics

The world, as we know it, has not changed in terms of circumference since the beginning of time.  However, it grows smaller every day.  With technology's fast changing pace, we all must strive to keep up.  Everything around us has evolved into something bigger, or smaller, and better.  From cell phones and computers, to airplanes and motor vehicles, each generation of new models deems the last almost unrecognizable.   

Due to the overwhelming presence of technology in the world, everyone must adapt to the changes that accompanies.  As a RN, I see how technology continues to change the medical field.  I feel that the biggest thing for nurses to do is embrace new advancements in technology.  If it helps increase patient safety then it is worth learning and implementing.  

How Nursing Schools can Integrate Healthcare Informatics

Throughout the years of being in school, I have seen firsthand how technology has grown and changed.  No, I am not old enough to say that I used to walk to school, uphill, both ways and in the snow, but I do remember NOT having dry erase boards, SMART boards, computers in every room, or TV’s.  Even though our schools now have the options mentioned above, there is still room to grow.  Currently I am still using a pen and paper during lectures and printing out assignments and notes.  I feel like colleges could develop and implement hand held devices for students to carry around.  These devises could have specific software installed to enable the students to create and manage various assignments and documents relevant to the courses that they are taking.  These devices could be connected to a switchboard to ensure that only school specific work is being produced.  Also, a form of IM communication or forum could be installed to promote communication and discussion amongst instructors and students.

How the Nursing Profession Could Embrace Technology Better

One thing that could be created and implemented would be a closed circuit camera in patient rooms.  These cameras could be connected to a blue tooth device that would enable a new nurse to communicate with a more experienced one. With the camera and the phone, a nurse would be able to consult with another about any questions or concerns he/she had about an assessment, medication, etc.  This would eliminate the need of the nurse to go out to the nurses’ station to ask questions or make phone calls.  It would benefit the patient most of all because there would be uninterrupted and increased time at the bedside.  

Another idea would be to have online translators.  Since most hospital rooms have TV’s, we could patch in a translator directly into the patients room using the TV.  No longer would we have to wait 2 hours for someone to be there in person, or pass a phone back and forth.  Since language barriers are becoming more of an issue, I believe that this would be an effective way to help eliminate the problem.