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Every nurse should be an e-nurse

RCN votes to promote vision of a digital nursing future
Nurse using iPad

Full and effective training is needed in order to equip nurses to work digitally in the 21st century.

eHealth Forum member Ian Ireland appeared at congress in Glasgow today (20 June) to pose the resolution for the RCN to ‘promote the concept that every nurse should be an e-nurse’.

No need to be nerdy

He explained: ‘I’m not saying every nurse needs to be a nerd or a geek – or even that every nurse should be sat in front of a computer.

‘What I’m calling for is for every nurse to be given access to the tools needed to do their job.’

National strategies

He went on to outline the digital strategies for nursing in the four UK countries and questioned how many nurses actually had the ability to enact them.

As proof of the power of technology he gave the example of a nurse who used data analytics to reduce falls on a ward by 50%.

Confidence

RCN learning representative Jean Rodgers said nurses needed to be ‘confident, competent and capable’ around technology.

Nurse Kay Bannister called on trusts to ensure technology was compatible across their organisation while Matthew Payne stressed ‘protected time’ was needed for nurses to gain the basic skills needed to become comfortable using technology at work.

The resolution was passed.

Further information

RCN congress e-nursing debate

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