
There are countless reasons why nursing is one of the most rewarding and stressful professions in the world. Nurses carry a lot on their shoulders, while often neglecting their own physical and mental health, which can lead to problems such as severe burnout, depression, anxiety and other ailments.
As healthcare administrators ponder how to prevent nurse burnout, the solution depends on technology.
What is nurse burnout?
Nursing burnout can occur in many ways, but it is most often associated with several symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- he is afraid to go to work
- feeling undervalued
- be overwhelmed
- Depersonalization (re-sleeping or switching off)
Nurses constantly face high stress situations in high stress environments. They work long shifts and help patients and their families and provide emotional support. Therefore, it is not surprising that at some point the signs of burnout become frequent. Nurses not only take care of patients physically, but also constantly reassure them and their loved ones. Anyone who has been to a hospital, where most patients are fearful and insecure, knows how attentive and caring most nurses are.
Staffing shortages remain one of the most pressing issues facing today's nurses. According to a Nurse.org article, 79% of nurses report that their units are understaffed. As the shortage continues to worsen, working nurses will feel the impact of this shortage. Nurses highlight some factors that would make the biggest difference:
- Improved team scores
- best payment
- Better working conditions
An article on Nursejournal.org cites alearnstating that 35% of hospital nurses, 37% of nursing home nurses, and 22% of nurses in other health care settings had high levels of emotional exhaustion. If nurses do not seek help, there can be serious consequences.
What self-care measures can nurses take?
If you are a nurse, you must have a great support system at home and at work.
In addition, to reduce stress and cope with work pressures, there are other things you can do:
- say that. Find someone in human resources, a care organization, or a trusted friend or family member who will actively listen to how you feel and how it affects you. When you talk about the difficulties of managing work and life, the rest of the team will be willing to cover for each other, especially in family emergencies.
- Defender of his profession.Taking steps to talk to management and legislators empowers you and can improve the work environment.
- Consider other areas of nursing.One beauty of nursing is that it is so multifaceted. For example, if you are exhausted in the hospital setting, consider other areas of nursing, such as professional research assistant, home visiting or palliative care, or working in the outpatient setting.
- Take care!Studies show that regular physical activity is good for you, improves your mental outlook and makes you feel less stressed. Go out and enjoy yourself, eat well and sleep at least eight hours.
- Be sure to take time off.Go on a much needed vacation.
How can technology help?
There are several solutions to nurse burnout, and technology is part of the positive part of the puzzle:
location-based technology
Using location-based technology can help reduce the burden of attrition. When a nurse has real-time information about your location and the availability of resources, they are likely to be able to make more informed decisions about whether to seek help or when to take breaks, which is an important part of self-care at work. . Mapsted's location-based solution platform can help reduce the time nurses spend on administrative tasks, which can reduce nurse burnout in the future. Giving nurses more time to care for patients goes a long way in alleviating frustration and stress.
Mapsted's solution has the ability to track and locate assets, so nurses don't have to search for vital equipment like IV pumps, EKG machines, etc. The system can send personnel and equipment to where they are most needed.
Solutions based on artificial intelligence
Tedious administrative work is one of the main reasons why nurses begin to suffer at work. Add these tasks to caring for patients and maintaining communication with patients' families, and nurses soon begin to feel stressed.
AI-powered tools can help create and update care plans, meet compliance standards, and improve communication with staff. This type of automation reduces the amount of data nurses must enter to care for patients.
Documentation and care planning
Creating and updating patient care plans takes a lot of time and work. Using AI-based support tools, nurses can quickly create evidence-based care plans. These plans meet and satisfy the communication needs of team members. Instead of entering data, nurses only need to review the final plans and make any necessary changes.
Enhanced patient care
Locating tools, clinical artificial intelligence, digital support tools and similar technologies provide real-time assistance at the point of care. These technologies pave the way for faster, more informed decision-making, audit-resistant documentation, and safety guidelines for the highest quality, evidence-based care. Nurses can find specific information faster and spend less time entering clear, repetitive text. By encoding AI-generated clinical information, reporting, investigations, operations planning and compliance reviews become easier, less time-consuming and less cumbersome.
Mitigate staffing challenges that cause stress
It is known that there is a great shortage of medical personnel in the world. The use of technology could facilitate the improvement of the skills of less experienced nurses. For example, support tools that use evidence-based decision-making practices can guide nurses in deciding the next steps in a patient's care when the patient's health condition deteriorates or when the patient is admitted with an undiagnosed diagnosis. This workflow guide reduces stress levels and builds team trust.
In fact, technology has advanced to automate more caregiver work processes. For example, online diagnostics and symptom checks can help triage patients when nurses have many patients waiting. Voice recognition and automated data entry tools can also automate routine administrative tasks, giving nurses more time for their patients. Hospital operators can even take advantage of workforce management solutions to optimize staff scheduling.
Virtual care
Virtual care is a way of supporting new technologies that allow doctors to provide superior care to patients. This type of care provides remote assistance by using digital technologies such as telephones, video conferencing, mobile apps and other electronic devices to assess, diagnose, monitor and manage a patient's health while you are away from them. Many health centers adoptthis mode as an option. Virtual nurses can monitor blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose levels and any other devices the patient uses. You can help alleviate exhaustion in several ways:
- Reduce heavy loads
- Enable more flexible scheduling
- Provide improved support
- increase autonomy
- Enable professional development
Consequently, virtual nursing helps improve work-life balance and job satisfaction, which can help reduce nurse burnout.
The bottom line
Technology should take things off nurses' plates, not complicate their jobs. Addressing how to reduce nurse burnout requires a holistic approach, in which technology plays only one role. However, technology can greatly improve the professional life of nurses and this is a step in the right direction.piranoWorld-leading hardware-free location-based solutions for hospitals and healthcare facilities can have a positive impact and free up valuable nursing time. It is one of the main solutions to nurse burnout. For additional information on the value of Mapsted in healthcare settings, see thisshort videoand our blog atWays to improve the patient experience in hospitals using smart technology.
Common questions
P1.How does location-based technology help reduce nurse burnout?
The answererBy providing nurses with real-time information about their location and the availability of resources, they can make more informed decisions about where and when to take breaks or seek help. This helps nurses take better care of themselves, leading to greater job satisfaction and reduced stress levels. In addition, location-based technology can help streamline processes such as patient tracking, which can help reduce the amount of time nurses spend on administrative tasks. In this way, location-based technology has the potential to significantly reduce nurse burnout in the future.
Q2.What are the benefits of using location-based technology for nurses?
The answererWith location-based technology, nurses can track their patients' location in real time and ensure they receive the best possible care. Furthermore, it can be used to monitor vital signs and provide alerts when there is any change in the patient's condition. This helps nurses to respond quickly to any medical emergency and provide timely treatment to their patients.
Q3.How does location-based technology help nurses manage their workload?
The answererBy providing real-time information about the location of patients, equipment and other resources, it enables nurses to make informed decisions about how best to allocate their time and resources. This can help them provide better patient care while reducing stress levels by taking some of the guesswork out of handling a heavy workload.
Q4.What technologies are used in location-based systems for nurses?
The answererTechnologies such as RFID tags, GPS tracking, Bluetooth beacons, and Wi-Fi networks are used in location-based systems for nurses. However, Mapsted's revolutionary patented system has no hardware or beacons. These technologies provide precise location data that is used to track patients, equipment and other resources in real time. By using these technologies, nurses can ensure that they are always up to date with the latest information on the whereabouts of their patients.
P5.Are there ethical considerations when using location-based technology in healthcare settings?
The answererThe use of this technology raises ethical considerations that must be taken into account. These include issues related to data privacy, data security and patient autonomy. In addition, there are potential risks associated with the use of location-based technology in healthcare settings that should be considered.
FAQs
How digital technology can prevent nurse burnout in 2023? ›
Ans. By providing nurses with real-time information about their location and the availability of resources, they can make more informed decisions about where and when to take breaks or seek help. This helps nurses take better care of themselves, leading to improved job satisfaction and reduced stress levels.
How can technology help with nurse burnout? ›Nurse burnout can also be prevented with advances in other types of technology. Automation using AI-based tools can help with creating and updating care plans, meeting compliance standards, and enhancing team communication.
What are the future trends in nursing 2023? ›More Nurses Will Earn a BSN.
As health care systems work to increase the number of nurses with bachelor's degrees (BSN), nurses seeking higher degrees through online nursing programs will remain a popular nursing trend in 2023.
AI algorithms that more efficiently and accurately sort through data to provide better diagnoses, robots that help clinicians perform medical tasks, and technology that helps nurses themselves feel more relaxed in their jobs are just a few of the far-reaching applications of AI and robotics.
How can burnout be prevented in nursing? ›- Identify the source of the stress. Try to pinpoint the circumstances that are causing you to feel overwhelmed. ...
- Find a work-life balance. ...
- Join a support network. ...
- Practice self-care. ...
- Find a creative outlet. ...
- Consider your options.
They save nurses time when using EHRs, increase their comfort levels with technology and enhance their ability to adapt to new digital tools in the future. Digital health UIs can help nurses communicate in real-time with their care team and do their jobs more efficiently.
Why technology is so important for nurses? ›Thankfully, the advancement of technology in nursing practice has improved how nurses perform their daily duties. In fact, more connections between nursing and technology help nurses spend less time with menial tasks and more time with patients.
What is the new nursing technology in 2023? ›Carts designed to aid in safe medication delivery and facilitate telehealth services will be seen in increasing numbers throughout 2023. These types of point-of-care workstations bring with them an added layer of accessibility to nurses, so they can redirect their focus to their patients.
What to expect in 2023 in healthcare? ›The US healthcare industry faces demanding conditions in 2023, including recessionary pressure, continuing high inflation rates, labor shortages, and endemic COVID-19.
How to retain nurses 2023? ›- 1) Use exit interviews. ...
- 2) Anticipate burnout. ...
- 3) Acknowledge nurse contribution. ...
- 4) Provide some downtime. ...
- 5) Mentoring. ...
- 6) Provide mental health resources. ...
- 7) Create a comprehensive onboarding process.
What technology will replace nurses? ›
Robots and AI are tools that have no refined social skills, emotional intelligence, or empathy. Robots and AI in healthcare facilities will augment and automate some tasks, allowing nurses more time to care for their patients, more time for self-growth, and more time for self-care.
What is the most powerful technological tool to transform the nursing profession? ›The computer is the most powerful technological tool to transform the nursing profession prior to the new century.
How can technology improve healthcare in the future? ›The near future of healthcare services is poised for massive change, due to artificial intelligence. AI simplifies the lives of patients, medical professionals, medical students and hospital administrators by carrying out those tasks that are typically done by humans, but in less time and at a fraction of the cost.
What are the top 3 causes of nurse burnout? ›Some of the most common reasons for nurse burnout include long work hours, sleep deprivation, a high-stress work environment, lack of support, and emotional strain from patient care.
What are the best ways to prevent burnout? ›- Early recognition of burnout and related risks. ...
- Cultivate ability to self-reflect. ...
- Complete a periodic assessment and realignment of goals, skills, and work passions.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet.
- Get enough sleep.
Minimize or eliminate alcohol and caffeine. Develop and follow a healthy eating plan. Take time away from work if the burnout impairs your ability to function or requires treatment. Ensure the recovery process includes developing a healthy approach to work.
How has technology changed the role of the nurse? ›It is easier for nurses to set the correct rate, and alarms for kinked tubing or low fluid levels are commonplace. Technology helps prevent medication errors with safety checks, and some facilities employ nurse “robots” for medication delivery. Technology has helped nurses with the task of patient education.
How technology will change in the future? ›Advances in AI, machine learning, robotics, and other technologies have increased the pace of change tenfold. By 2025, we estimate that 50 billion devices will be connected to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), while 70 percent of manufacturers are expected to be using digital twins regularly (by 2022).
How technology has improved health care? ›Faster & More Accurate Access to Patient Records
One of the most widespread uses of technology in healthcare is the adoption of electronic health records (EHR). EHRs make patient health information instantly accessible to providers and patients by supporting automated workflows between people and technologies.
Nurses must be comfortable using advanced technology to provide patients with the best care available. They must be competent in the use of medical devices and equipment such as defibrillators, mechanical ventilators, heart monitors and glucometers.
How does technology improve communication in healthcare? ›
Five benefits of electronic health records which help to improve communication in healthcare are: They provide correct and updated information about patients in one place. They enable instant access to a patient's health records. They allow patients to share information with different healthcare professionals securely.
How nurses might use a smartphone in patient care? ›Nurses used their smartphones to locate information about medications, procedures, diagnoses, and laboratory tests. Downloaded apps were used by nurses to locate patient care–related information.
What are the trends for healthcare staffing in 2023? ›For employers in the Healthcare Staffing Market, one of the biggest shifts they will likely experience in 2023 is an increased demand for temporary and contract-based workers. Healthcare organizations are being pushed to be more flexible in their staffing approach due to increasing demands from their clients.
What are the biggest issues facing nurses today? ›- Long shifts. Nurses often work 10- or 12-hour shifts. ...
- Changing schedules. ...
- Emotional involvement. ...
- Physical demands. ...
- Exposure to illness and chemicals. ...
- Lack of nurses. ...
- Changing technology. ...
- Poor treatment from patients.
Medtech industry outlook key takeaways
Capital markets remain volatile, but sector performance over the last decade relative to the S&P 500 remains ahead. Medtech M&A activity is expected to increase in 2023. Digital health tech investment remains high, but further research proving safety and efficacy is needed.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are expected to play an increasingly important role in the medical device sector in 2023. AI-driven devices, such as diagnostic instruments and surgical robots, are expected to become more advanced and more widespread.
Is medical changing in 2023? ›Starting January 2023, Medi-Cal health coverage for most remaining dually eligible beneficiaries will change from Fee-For-Service (FFS) Medi-Cal to Medi-Cal Managed Care. Medi-Cal managed care enrollment does NOT affect a beneficiary's Medicare providers or Medicare Advantage plan.
Why are nurses leaving the profession 2023? ›To no surprise, 89% of those considering leaving the profession cited burnout as the primary reason. These statistics confirm what is now common knowledge: clinician burnout is a real threat to the stability of the US health care system.
Is there still a nurse shortage 2023? ›Staffing shortages are expected to continue this year, especially among nurses, as widespread burnout and increased turnover hits the sector. Shortages have led to ongoing use of costly contract labor to fill labor gaps even as severe COVID-19 hospitalization rates have declined.
What is the projected need for nurses 2025? ›Researchers estimated that the US will have a 10 to 20 percent nursing gap by 2025 as the number of patients needing care exceeds the number of nurses. The RN supply could potentially see a low of 2.4 million, while the RN demand could be a low of 2.8 million nurses.
What are the three future trends in nursing informatics? ›
Centering that trust and patient care offers a throughline to the three nursing trends that will lead 2022: more holistic approaches to healthcare, the growing role of informatics and improved technologies designed with a touch-free, zero user interface perspective.
How telehealth is changing nursing? ›For example, telehealth technologies can facilitate more effective and interactive methods for educating patients about their care. In addition, some telehealth technologies allow hospital patients to order their own meals or adjust their room temperature, eliminating the need for nurses to handle these tasks.
When nurses are replaced by robots? ›Robots and Nurses in Patient Care
Technological innovation is revolutionizing the entire healthcare industry and, if successful, could be a new way of doing healthcare by 2023, with patients regularly seeing robots as part of their hospital floors.
- Telehealth tools. ...
- Motion sensor alarms and pressure sensors. ...
- Robotic nurses and virtual nursing assistants. ...
- Smart rooms with smart medical beds and IV infusion pumps. ...
- Portable monitoring devices. ...
- Electronic records.
- Reducing Pressure Ulcers. ...
- Sharing Ideas. ...
- Reducing Stress. ...
- Relationship Building and Collaboration. ...
- Increasing Education.
Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany topped the World Index of Healthcare Innovation. These countries rank first in each of the indicators that FREOPP used to evaluate. Italy, Slovakia, Japan and Poland took the last places in the ranking.
What are 3 benefits of technology in healthcare? ›The benefits of health information technology (IT) include its ability to store and retrieve data; the ability to rapidly communicate patient information in a legible format; improved medication safety through increased legibility, which potentially decreases the risk of medication errors; and the ease of retrieval of ...
How will healthcare change in the next 10 years? ›Ten trends for the next decade are evident: 1) more patients, 2) more technology, 3) more information, 4) the patient as the ultimate consumer, 5) development of a different delivery model, 6) innovation driven by competition, 7) increasing costs, 8) increasing numbers of uninsured, 9) less pay for providers, and 10) ...
What is a technological innovation in healthcare? ›The use of algorithms and machine learning in detecting, diagnosing and treating disease has become a significant area of life sciences. Some believe it is the biggest healthcare revolution of the 21st century. AI can detect diseases early and make more accurate diagnoses more quickly than conventional means.
Which field of nursing has the highest burnout rate? ›Critical care nurses suffer the highest rates of burnout.
This is mainly due to the nature of the job, as critical care nurses work specialize in the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU). As such, their work environment is constantly fast-paced, meticulous, and demanding.
What are two issues that lead to nurse burnout? ›
- Emotionally draining tasks. ...
- Long work hours. ...
- High job turnover rates and understaffing. ...
- Staff shortages. ...
- Lack of sleep. ...
- Physically draining tasks. ...
- Stressful work environment. ...
- Increased risk of depression and other mental health issues.
Critical care nurses tend to suffer the highest rates of burnout. Critical care specialties include the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU).
How to avoid burnout in 2023? ›- Assess your situation. When you feel like you're on the road to burnout, take a step back. ...
- Create a schedule. ...
- Make sure to take breaks. ...
- Get into a fitness programme. ...
- Go out into the world. ...
- The Need For Repose.
- Identify the source of the stress. Try to pinpoint the circumstances that are causing you to feel overwhelmed. ...
- Find a work-life balance. ...
- Join a support network. ...
- Practice self-care. ...
- Find a creative outlet. ...
- Consider your options.
- Set boundaries.
- Learn to say no.
- Manage your time well.
- Switch up your work environment.
- Practise self-care.
- Seek support.
- Find ways to reduce stress. Share the love.
The three key dimensions of this response are an overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism and detachment from the job, and a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.
What are the 3 Rs of burnout? ›The 3 "Rs"-Relax, Reflect, and Regroup: Avoiding Burnout During Cardiology Fellowship.
What are 5 strategies to avoid burnout and reduce stress? ›- Work with purpose.
- Perform a job analysis, and eliminate or delegate unnecessary work.
- Give to others.
- Take control, and actively manage your time.
- Get more exercise.
- Learn how to manage stress.
The nursing shortage is stretching care teams to their limits. Technology can help harmonize workflows, automate documentation tasks and simplify communication to give nurses time back to spend with their patients.
How can we prevent burnout in tech industry? ›- Implement clear boundaries. ...
- Communicate with your manager. ...
- Take advantage of paid time off. ...
- Work for a company that values you. ...
- Tackle Zoom fatigue head-on. ...
- Unplug after work. ...
- Identify what your stressors are. ...
- Reach out to your support system.
How can healthcare burnout be improved? ›
- Take time off before burnout sets in. ...
- Connect with friends and colleagues to reduce feelings of isolation.
- Keep your appointments with your regular physicians to maintain good physical and mental health.
The straight and simple answer is no. Technology should not be seen as an enemy that will take over the jobs of nurses, but as a set of tools and solutions to make their jobs easier. Robots can perform menial and repetitive tasks like monitoring patients' blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate.