Technology Management Strategies for Nurse Leaders

By: Sarah K. Wells, MSN, RN, CEN, CNL & Mary Gannon, MSN, RN, CEN

Throughout nursing, computers are integrated into all aspects of care. This is no different in nurse leadership. Whether it is creating staff schedules to payroll to chart audits, nurse leaders are required to navigate sometimes dozens of computer-based programs to fulfill their roles and responsibilities.

How much orientation is provided for these programs? How many logins and passwords are a nurse leader required to have to utilize all of these systems? How often do the programs “talk” to each other? And how many times does a leader have to reach out to a friend, colleague, or expert resource to help support them in utilizing these programs in a meaningful way?

If you are like many reading this, you know exactly how inefficient these work flows can be for leaders at all levels. That is why it is so important to think about how to choose tech systems strategically and design training schedules effectively so that leaders know how to maximize the use of their tech AND time in their work day.

Tips on how to best address technology tools as a nurse leader:

• Have a list of all the systems you use, and make sure you have CURRENT access to them. - This may sound simple, but many nurse leaders assume a new position without ever getting a comprehensive list of all the tech systems/platforms they may need to access. Or if you do get a generic login to get you started on a system, that login and password may expire before you ever need to use it. It is recommended to log on to every system you may need to use in your new role at the time of orientation to ensure access in the future. And if a full list of all the programs you may need is not incorporated into your leadership onboarding, CREATE IT. You will be doing yourself and future members of your team a huge favor.

• Know what your systems are and what they do. - Even if you do not know all the in’s and out’s of each tech program that you use, knowing what each are and what their intended function is can be key to effectively using them.

• Provide adequate training time for each technology system and platform. - Training budgets are always tight, but offering enough time for tech tools is key for the best use of each. Ideally, training should also be provided by effective instructors who are truly subject area experts for the platform that they are educating to.

• Keep your support numbers at the ready. - For each system, there should be a tech support number. Having this readily available to nurse leaders cuts down on time digging for answers on their own by allowing them to quickly “phone a friend” when help is needed.

• Securely store your logins and use strong passwords. - Security is always paramount when using any system involving secure data. Ensure that your logins are securely stored, and that you are using strong passwords to avoid cybersecurity breaches.

Technology can be our greatest asset or our biggest challenge. Working smarter and not harder is always the goal when integrating digital tools into our leadership work. For nurse leaders to foster effective use of computer-based platforms, try these quick tips and see if you notice a difference during your next shift.

About the Authors:

Sarah K. Wells, MSN, RN, CEN, CNL is a proven nurse leader and innovator, with 10+ years of experience, who is passionate about elevating the level of care at your facility and in your nursing career. Recognized for excellence as a 2021 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Circle of Excellence Award Recipient and as a 2020 American Academy of Nursing (AAN) COVID-19 Courage Award in Innovation Nominee. Passionate about nurse professional development and professional organizations, healthcare cybersecurity, and nurse wellness, Sarah’s goal is to foster a safe and collaborative healthcare system for patients and clinicians.

Mary Gannon, MSN, RN, CEN is an experienced Registered Nurse and nurse leader with passions related to tech in the patient care environment, patient safety, cost-effective care, patient advocacy, and professional nursing organizations, specifically the Emergency Nurses Association and the American association of Critical-Care Nurses. Mary is a national speaker and educator who intends to promote exceptional patient care through nurse engagement.