Are you a nurse, or perhaps you’re studying nursing via MSN to FNP programs or similar qualifications? Whatever the case, congratulations! Nursing is a noble and fulfilling career pathway where you get to work with and support vulnerable people when they’re at their worst - sick and unwell. 

Many things underpin solid nursing practice, including training, qualifications, and professional development. One other major aspect of nursing is the use of technology, which can have a transformative power in nursing. This informative article will share all about tech in nursing, specifically in nursing education. We’ll share how tech can support traditional nursing learning, such as tech tools, AI, and more. Continue reading if you’re interested in this topic.

Online Learning

A major shift in nursing education in the last few years has been the advent of online learning. 

An online course, or an online component of a hybrid course, means the nursing lectures are usually live-streamed and recorded so students can watch them independently. The discussion tutorials and classes for these courses are held via video conferencing software such as Zoom or Teams and are often mandatory to attend. Any interaction between students and professors or tutors is usually done remotely, too, such as via the phone, email, or video conferencing platforms. In addition to this, there are usually discussion-style message boards or forums to encourage communication and collaboration between students throughout their nursing course. 

While online learning has been around as long as the internet (or close enough to it), there was one major factor that prompted colleges and universities around the world to offer online learning — the global COVID-19 pandemic. With government restrictions implemented by many countries, higher education institutions had little choice but to offer online courses. Many also lost a heap of revenue, as international students couldn’t travel due to border closures and travel restrictions. This meant that many universities had to invest in online learning platforms quickly, and the faculty had to learn how to work from home along with millions of other workers. Nursing courses were no exception to this. 

Investment in Online Learning

Offering online nursing courses requires a significant investment in the technology that enables this learning method. Universities had to invest in video meeting software to enable students to study online and also allow the faculty to meet, collaborate, and undertake their research, among other duties. Institutions also needed to invest in online learning platforms, message forums, and other online infrastructure to offer nursing students remote learning.

Adapting Nursing Courses to Digital Learning

Traditional nursing education has usually been quite heavily reliant on in-person clinical experiences in order to prepare nursing students for the reality of the job. However, as we move more classes and nursing programs online, adapting the curriculum to digital platforms requires creativity and strategic thinking from colleges. This means that the faculty needs to ensure that any online courses maintain the same standard of rigor as in-person learning while also providing students with the flexibility they need to develop and maintain their nursing careers.

Digital technology has made it possible to replicate many of the aspects of hands-on, in-person learning. Virtual simulations, for instance, allow nursing students to apply complex nursing content and theory to patient scenarios and practice all duties, from basic assessments to complex patient care procedures, in a strictly controlled, risk-free environment. Through digital platforms that integrate simulations and things like virtual labs, nursing students can gain the relevant hands-on experience that is crucial to their future nursing practice.

VR, AR, AI, and Machine Learning

One of the most innovative trends in healthcare technology and nursing education is the use of simulation-based learning through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). These cutting-edge technologies provide immersive simulation experiences that mimic real-life scenarios, allowing nursing students to practice their new skills without any risk to a real patient. VR and AR applications have now been proven to be effective in building student confidence and competence. Furthermore, online learning platforms have greatly changed how courses are delivered, offering flexibility in terms of time and location. 

The integration of AI and machine learning in digital nursing education is another trend shaping the future of college programs. AI-powered tools can offer students premium, personalized learning experiences by learning about and adapting to individual student needs and academic performance levels. This tech not only vastly enhances the learning process but also ensures that students receive targeted support from human staff where necessary.

In addition to this, mobile learning applications have emerged as a significant, innovative new trend in nursing education, offering micro-learning opportunities through smartphones and tablet devices. These apps can provide quick reference guides, note-taking transcription, drug dosage calculators, and even clinical decision support tools that nursing students can access instantly via their devices. This rise of mobile learning has completely transformed how nursing students study and practice today, allowing them to easily reinforce their knowledge during their on-site clinical rotations and continue to engage in learning beyond traditional classroom hours and schedules.