Nursing Technology, Research Paper Example

Nurses utilize a variety of technology-based resources in daily practice settings. For example, nurses often use smartphones to access the Internet and watch videos that may provide additional opportunities for advanced education (Phillippi and Wyatt, 2011). In addition, this alternative may provide clinical evidence or data that is relevant to the continuum of care for patients (Phillippi and Wyatt, 2011). The use of laptop computers with wireless capabilities across nursing units also provides support in expanding care and treatment alternatives for patients, particularly when they are transported using mobile carts from one area to the next (Weeding and Dawson, 2012). Finally, wireless handheld devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are used to provide education for nurses in a mobile environment (Wu and Lai, 2009). Each of these examples is instrumental in supporting nursing practice initiatives and in supporting patient care and treatment. In spite of their differences, each device is designed to enhance the quality of nursing practice and the level of care that is provided to patients.

Response 1: Computers, telephones, and heart monitors are important tools to enhance

nursing practice, and in particular, in treating patients to promote effective diagnoses and greater quality of life. It is important to utilize these tools in a manner that is consistent with nursing practice objectives so that nurses will utilize their own knowledge and experience in these areas to provide optimal patient care.

Response 2: Smartphones, GPS systems and emergency alert devices each provide significant benefit to nurses in a variety of practice settings. Each of these areas enables patients to use devices in the home environment or in a clinical setting that support greater quality of care as necessary. These contributions are essential to the ongoing patient support that nurses provide in different ways to promote efficiency and cost effectiveness throughout all areas of nursing practice.

References

Phillipi, J.C., and Wyatt, T.H. (2011). Smartphones in nursing education. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 29(8), 449-454.

Weeding, S., and Dawson, L. (2012). Laptops on trolleys: lessons from a mobile-wireless hospital ward. Journal of Medical Systems, 36(6), 3933-3943.

Wu, C.C., and Lai, C.Y. (2009). Wireless handhelds to support clinical nursing practicum. Educational Technology & Society, 12(2), 190-204.