Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

Abstract

Like most other disciplines, nursing education is also bound to be influenced by the emerging societal trends. Although technological advances have revolutionized the nursing curriculum, it has also come with its on share of challenges. The traditional methodologies in nursing education aimed at meeting the health needs of communities passionately.Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

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However, the emergence of computer technology has brought some dramatic improvements not only to the curriculum but also the nursing practice. The ability to access information instantly and communicate extensive information instantly has changed the way nurses and nursing students carry out their activities. Today, students have an immediate access to text books unlike before, which has made learning easier and faster. As a result, students are able to study better and compare existing information faster than before. Still, with the large pool of information out there, students must learn to navigate the internet well to get information that is correct and valid.Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

Introduction

The nursing profession has been evolving so rapidly. Similarly, the nursing curriculum is influenced by such emerging trends within the society. Such trends impact the way the faculty as well as the students view education in the nursing field. The trend that greatly affects the nursing curriculum is the speedy development of information and knowledge that arises from the advancement of technology and the internet (Fawaz, Hamdan-Mansour, &Tassi, 2018).Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

The impact of technological advancement on the nursing curriculum

There has been a significant growth in electronic information and communication technology over the years. In turn, there has been a tremendous growth in the volume of information and knowledge globally. Informatics has also been recognized to play a chief role in education as well as practice. Lots of benefits can be derived from the ease of creation, access, as well as dissemination of unlimited information rapidly.Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

Nursing Students all over the globe are able to communicate faster and with more contacts at internet speed through blogs, digital chat rooms, and social network systems. This has been enabled by the various existing channels from emails to more complex methods like telemedicine and research documents (Fawaz, Hamdan-Mansour, &Tassi, 2018).Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

In the same manner, the use of social media is gaining popularity in nursing. It has grown so much that codes of ethics statements and guidelines are now being formulated by national nursing organizations and employers. However, as much as the use of social media in nursing education is increasing, educators, nurses, and nursing students have developed some concerns. The main concern is that the use of these platforms to communicate calls for the clear understanding of potential legal implications and the policies (Iverson et al., 2016).Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

Today, the availability of websites makes it easy to access material online more easily. It is quicker to update health-related digital materials on websites. This has enabled educators to create as well as revise the online assignments, course content, as well as examinations. At the same time, the use of computers in doing written assignments helps in the students to develop their writing skills. It also enables them to prepare better for their computerized licensure examinations (Iverson et al., 2016).Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

Various studies have revealed that the use of computers and information technology does not hinder the direct interaction between nurses and patients. In fact, it has been shown by the Healthcare Information and ManagementSystems Society (HIMSS) that students with competencies in the use of digital devices and computers tend to be more successful in their practice and programs (Lall et al., 2019).

The internet has become a lifesaver since it has created myriad opportunities for distance learning. No matter the location of a student, students are now able to study in a country without the need to go their physically. Students are now able to participate in team projects, networks, as well as research with more ease. This allows them to understand the universal health needs without having to move from one country to the other. A whole nursing degree course can be delivered online very easily (Iverson et al., 2016).Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

Other than laptops, there has been an emergence of other mobile digital technologies like Mp3 players, personal digital assistants, as well as a variety of smartphones. This enables nurses, the faculty, as well as students to gain access to valuable current information for the management of complex patient data and error and stress reduction in patient care. These have not only made nursing education better but they have also revolutionized the whole profession in profound ways (Fawaz, Hamdan-Mansour, &Tassi, 2018).

Although electronic advances have many benefits as shown above, they come with their own share of issues. For instance, with the pool of information out there, students may be confused thus take more time to get information as compared to when using traditional print-based materials. Navigating online for information can easily cause confusing as students have to move from one site to the other (Smart et al., 2020). Getting one piece of information may require one to go through different networks, chat rooms, and links. This can be devastating and time consuming as compared to going direct into a particular book for information.Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

It is therefore important that both the students and faculty work together towards the promotion of effective and efficient use of the available electronic learning tools. In order to overcome the frustration that comes from the overload of resources, both teams need to develop great discipline. They must also establish clear guidelines and expected outcomes so that they can achieve the desired results(Smart et al., 2020).

Studies have proved that using the internet to learn enables students to develop essential skills in decision-making, analytical thinking, as well as reflective judgment (Lall et al.,2019). This allows them to effectively select resources that are most reliable and valid for their studies. Such skills also come in handy when they finally become practicing nurses.

Using blogs has also been identified as a vital component in nursing education. Through it, students are able to improve their communication skills. It also provides an excellent platform where they can interact and share medical information with other students all over the world. The world has become a global village and using the internet to learn is the best thing that has happened to the nursing curriculum (Fawaz, Hamdan-Mansour, &Tassi, 2018).Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.

For students, using electronic-based information systems to learn is a good way of acquiring the competencies they need in the information-intensive nursing practice. One of the core competencies required by The National Organization of NursePractitioner Faculties (NONPF) is information technology literacy. This makes the development in information technology an important concept in the nursing curriculum (Fawaz, Hamdan-Mansour, &Tassi, 2018).

In summary, the nursing curriculum just like every other educational sector is affected by many societal trends. Although there are many trends that affect how nursing education is carried out, technological advancement has affected it the most. Although most of it has been positive, it has come with its share of challenges too that must be worked out well.Societal Trends in Nursing and Patient Education Paper.