Technology can enable nurses to better care for patients

Nurses will be able to serve patients better when leaders take advantage of emerging technology, according to a Nurse Leader article entitled “The Future of Work: A Human and Machine Mindset,” which was posted in advance of publication. Leaders will need to identify which tasks are better suited for people or technology and reallocate the tasks accordingly. Incorporating this “human and machine mindset” will allow some aspects of work now completed by humans to be accomplished by humans and machines together. Automating and shifting nonclinical tasks away from nursing staff will permit nurses to spend more time with patients without adding staff. By relieving nurses of lower-level tasks, leaders will be able to leverage technology to improve job satisfaction and attract people to a nursing career, as well as improve access and ease the nursing shortage.