Emerging technologies can enhance strategies to address shortages

Nurse leaders can use emerging innovative technology solutions to complement and add to past strategies to address workforce shortages, according to an article in the November issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration. While aviation and banking have adopted technology solutions to improve efficiency, health care has lagged behind. Technology should be used to improve nurse job satisfaction, reduce patient readmissions and increase patient experience scores, according to the authors. Nurse leaders can explore, test and evaluate how specific technologies can reduce costs, improve quality and safety, and reduce the workload of nurses in “repetitive, time-consuming activities.” They should disseminate their results through presentations, publications and professional networks.