Leveraging Technology

The Nurse Leader has a pivotal role in leveraging technology.  The support that is given by nurse leaders to their staff allows for engagement and empowerment about the safety and well-being of patients.  Also, this technology driven environment gives additional assistance and resources to nurses in making clinical decisions.  Though challenging and quickly advancing on a daily basis, staff must feel that the use of technology enhances the quality of care that they give their patients, makes research and evidence based practice readily available, and encourages best practices.

Nurse leaders can be guided by the information and data that is produced through technology and allows for quality improvement and better outcomes.  Leveraging technology is a way that nurse leaders can add to the expertise and knowledge of their nursing staff, helping to advance the profession of nursing with additional skill sets.  Nurse leaders must role model behaviors that support technology in the clinical setting by being enthusiastic, communicating well, and collaborating effectively. The support and encouragement that can be brought to nurses by the nurse leader through technology emphasize a transformational leadership approach. 

Furthermore, nurse leaders can help support technology by using it for learning and growth, both for themselves and for their staff on the front lines.  Nurses who feel like technology is a benefit to their patients will find ways to bring information to their patients in many different ways, and be able to present it to them in a more efficient way.