Voice of the President | November 2019

Technology—the word alone excites and energizes those who see the tremendous potential of this as an enabler to improving health outcomes, safety and care delivery.

At the risk of stating the obvious, technology has already significantly changed every aspect of health care. Widespread use of electronic health records (EHR), predictive analytics using big data, remote monitoring and telemedicine and health care mobile apps are just a few examples. Not to mention clinical technology advancements including robotic surgery, decision support tools and imaging technology. These advances have:

• Expanded access to care;
• Improved outcomes through risk identification, early diagnosis and hardwiring evidence-based practice;
• Promoted increased efficiency in care delivery; and
• Improved patient experience providing more convenient and timely care.

Gene therapy, personalized medicine, expansion of robotics, artificial intelligence and many advances that we can’t even imagine today are also on the horizon.

Impact on nursing

Nursing practice has benefited in a number of ways through the use of technology. New nursing roles, such as those described in this issue by Iain Holmes and Gay Landstrom have emerged. Alarm management tools and early warning systems alert the nurse to changes in patient condition. The EHR has the potential to improve communication and decrease documentation time, bed technology allows for ease of monitoring and locator technology reduces the time spent searching for equipment. Additionally, predictive and automated staffing models can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of nurse staffing as discussed by Monica Darco and Joshua Dunn in their article “Levering Staffing Technology to Improve Nurse Staffing Outcomes.”

However, the use and promise of technology can also elicit anxiety and concern in many. Nurses in all settings report feeling overloaded with data and often find it difficult to prioritize the volume of incoming information. Without a clear plan and understanding of nursing workflow, implementation of new technology can certainly complicate care. Technology literacy may also be a challenge requiring an individualized approach to education and development.

High tech/high touch

With the proliferation of technologic advances there is also concern about the loss or reduction of the human connection—specifically, nurse relationships with patients, families and the community. I have seen many examples of nurses who expertly integrate technology into their caring practice. I heard a very moving example of this while listening to a radio program.

The piece described a young woman who was a graduate student from the Middle East studying in the United States. On her way to class, she was involved in a major auto accident and was quickly transported to a trauma center. During resuscitation, it was apparent that she would not survive her injuries. The ED team learned that her entire family was overseas. Contact was made by phone to the distraught family members. The nurse worked with them quickly (via an interpreter) to establish a video connection so that they could see their daughter. The nurse then asked the patient’s mother, “What would you do if you were here?” The mother replied, “I would stroke her hair. I would kiss her cheek. I would hold her close and tell her I loved her.” The nurse asked if she would like her to do this for her and the mother nodded. The nurse then did each of the actions as described and through their grief, the family expressed their gratitude. Such an example of a basic use of technology, enabling and complementing the human connection, is the hallmark of nursing practice.

We know that technology will transform health care and the way we work. As leaders, we must ensure that nurses with specialized knowledge of technology, informatics and clinical practice are engaged early in planning and implementation of technology in clinical care settings. Understanding the impact on patients and families is equally important as we support them in addressing their specific health care needs and goals.

We know that technology will transform health care and the way we work. As leaders, we must ensure that nurses with specialized knowledge of technology, informatics and clinical practice are engaged early in planning and implementation of technology in clinical care settings. Understanding the impact on patients and families is equally important as we support them in addressing their specific health care needs and goals.

Understanding the impact [of technology] on patients and families is important as we support them in addressing their specific health care needs and goals.

Thoughts on 2019

As we approach the end of the year, I want to express my gratitude to our board, the AONL team, Robyn Begley, AONL CEO and AHA CNO, and our members for all the support I received throughout this productive and exciting year. I visited with many of our state affiliates and had the opportunity to speak with nurse leaders across the country. Advice and guidance from many past presidents and board members has been invaluable. Nursing leadership is vibrant and visible, working to improve health care through education, advocacy and community.

Many significant accomplishments occurred throughout 2019, but I will highlight just a few. Perhaps the most notable event this year was the change in our name—reflecting our commitment to supporting and developing nurses and nurse leaders in all settings and in every stage of their careers. A name change is meaningless without substantial change. AONL has incorporated this fundamental philosophy by expanding the breadth of programs and initiatives for all nurse leaders. Our annual meeting in San Diego reflected that growth with a record-breaking attendance of more than 4,200.

We are committed to intentional diversity and inclusivity efforts through our nominating process, selection of appointed board members and affiliate connection and outreach. The response to the move from AONE to AONL and our related efforts has been overwhelmingly positive, and I am delighted to report that we now have more than 9,800 AONL members!

Our members and affiliates have affirmed that advocacy efforts are a top priority. We continue to advocate on a national level for a variety of nursing and health care issues and had another successful Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. As the year ends, AONL is hosting a Day of Dialogue focused on advocacy—strengthening our efforts in this area. Specific goals for this day are the development of a robust, proactive advocacy agenda, strategies to advance the agenda and ongoing training and development planning for advocacy efforts. 

Collaborating with others to accelerate our influence and work was another area of focus in 2019. AONL is working with national nursing and health care organizations to address nurse staffing systematically to enhance value, while optimizing quality and patient outcomes. As part of the American Hospital Association, AONL CEO Robyn Begley leads another high-profile initiative, Better Health for Mothers and Babies, which is helping to spread best practices in maternal health. Working with the Tri-Council for Nursing, we are preparing to celebrate The Year of the Nurse in 2020. 

Building on the strong foundation of our partnership with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, our focus this year is identifying innovative priorities and strategies to prepare the future nursing workforce. Additionally, the AONL Foundation has developed an extensive strategic plan with an emphasis on funding nursing leadership research and providing scholarships to members to attend educational leadership programs.

This is just a sampling of the many initiatives and activities that align with AONL’s strategic plan, vision and mission. In 2020, the organization will be in the capable hands of President-Elect Mary Ann Fuchs—an exceptional nursing leader to take us into this new decade. AONL will continue to support and develop nurse leaders who will lead change—shaping health care locally, regionally and nationally by bringing the voice of nursing forward. We need your energy, commitment and creativity to maximize our efforts.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve as your president.