NR 706 Week 5 Information System Contributions to Advanced Nursing Practice

NR 706 Week 5 Information System Contributions to Advanced Nursing Practice

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-706: Healthcare Informatics & Information Systems

Prof. Name

Date

Week 5: Information System Contributions to Advanced Nursing Practice

Information technology (IT) has become an essential component in advanced nursing practice. The integration of electronic medical records (EMRs), telehealth platforms, barcode medication systems, and advanced documentation tools has revolutionized how nurses deliver care. These innovations significantly enhance accuracy, safety, and efficiency, while supporting evidence-based clinical decision-making. Research emphasizes that the adoption of IT in nursing has contributed to improved patient outcomes, cost reduction, and increased patient safety (Bowles, Dykes, & Demiris, 2015).

Furthermore, IT has streamlined communication among interdisciplinary healthcare teams, promoting faster and more precise information exchange. Through EMRs, nurses can ensure continuity of care and coordination across healthcare settings. Despite these advancements, concerns persist regarding potential downsides—especially the risk of diminishing the nurse–patient relationship. Since nursing is deeply rooted in compassion, empathy, and presence, excessive reliance on technology can unintentionally erode these humanistic elements (Shih & Rosenblum, 2017). Therefore, finding a balance between technological adoption and relational care remains a key challenge for modern nursing professionals.

The Role of Caring in Nursing Practice

Caring has always been the core philosophy of nursing practice. The profession emphasizes empathy, compassion, and the establishment of human connection. Many nurses are drawn to the field to assist patients through vulnerable periods—offering both clinical expertise and emotional support. Small gestures, such as maintaining eye contact, offering a reassuring touch, or giving a comforting smile, play a vital role in building trust, reducing patient anxiety, and promoting healing.

However, the increasing dependence on EMRs and digital devices can sometimes diminish these caring behaviors. For instance, nurses may focus more on charting patient data than engaging with patients personally. Logging into computers immediately upon entering a patient’s room can unintentionally signal detachment. Over time, this shift may make healthcare interactions appear transactional rather than relational. Advanced practice nurses must consciously strive to preserve caring behaviors alongside the use of technology to maintain the integrity of the profession.

Case Example: The Impact of Technology on Clinical Decision-Making

The dual nature of technology—its benefits and limitations—can be illustrated through a personal clinical experience. When my son’s pediatric nurse practitioner reviewed his bilirubin levels, the lab results showed an elevation above 2.5 mg/dL, leading the practitioner to recommend hospital admission. However, the child exhibited no clinical symptoms such as jaundice or discomfort.

Upon my request for a physical reassessment, the practitioner reevaluated the situation and found that the laboratory data did not align with the clinical presentation. A repeat test later confirmed normal bilirubin levels. This experience highlights the risk of over-reliance on digital data without proper integration of clinical judgment and physical assessment. Depending solely on technology can lead to unnecessary interventions, patient anxiety, and increased healthcare costs. The key lesson is that technology should assist—not replace—clinical reasoning.

Benefits and Challenges of Information Technology in Nursing

The implementation of IT in nursing practice offers substantial benefits, but it also presents several challenges that require careful consideration. The table below provides a structured comparison of these aspects.

Table 1

Benefits and Challenges of Information Technology in Nursing

Benefits of Information Technology	Challenges of Information Technology
Enhances patient safety by reducing errors through barcode scanning and EMRs	May depersonalize care if technology overshadows nurse–patient interaction
Improves efficiency in communication and interdisciplinary data sharing	Risk of over-reliance on lab data over clinical assessment
Reduces healthcare costs by streamlining workflows and minimizing duplication	Increases screen time, reducing face-to-face patient engagement
Provides real-time data access supporting evidence-based practice	Can cause frustration among nurses with limited digital literacy
Expands access to care through telehealth and remote monitoring	Raises privacy and ethical concerns related to patient data
Facilitates population health management using predictive analytics	May contribute to burnout due to documentation overload

Balancing Technology and Caring in Advanced Nursing Practice

The future of advanced nursing practice depends on finding equilibrium between technology and caring. Rather than viewing these aspects as competing forces, nurse practitioners should aim to integrate digital efficiency with human compassion. For instance, while documenting patient data in EMRs, practitioners can still maintain eye contact, engage in active listening, and involve patients in meaningful conversation.

During telehealth consultations, nurses can express empathy through tone of voice, verbal reassurance, and patient-centered communication techniques. By maintaining warmth and attentiveness—even through digital platforms—nurses can ensure that technology enhances rather than diminishes patient relationships.

Ultimately, technology should be viewed as a supportive tool that strengthens, not replaces, the caring essence of nursing. Advanced practice nurses must continue to advocate for a balanced approach, where technological innovation coexists with the profession’s compassionate foundations.

References

Bowles, K. H., Dykes, P., & Demiris, G. (2015). The use of health information technology to improve care and outcomes for older adults. Research in Gerontological Nursing, 8(1), 5–10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4431690/

NR 706 Week 5 Information System Contributions to Advanced Nursing Practice

Shih, D., & Rosenblum, R. (2017). Attitudes and perceptions of advanced practice nurses towards health information technology and its effects on caring. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 21(3). https://www.himss.org/library/attitudes-and-perceptions-advanced-practice-nurses-towards-health-information-technology-and-its

Watson, J. (2006). Nursing caring and sharing. American Nurse Today, 1(3). https://www.americannursetoday.com/nurses-caring-and-sharing/