After more than 40 years as a nurse and someone who has worked on both sides of the table, there’s one thing that remains true: nurses and technology must work in harmony for healthcare innovation to succeed.
And yet, time and time again, technology is implemented without nurses having a seat at the table.
The Relias 2025 Technology in Healthcare Report highlights this trend. Nurses, despite being the largest part of the healthcare workforce, are left out of the conversations that shape the digital tools we use every day.
Nurses are asked to adopt, adapt, and make it work. But rarely are they invited to shape what “it” looks like from the start.
Let’s explore why that needs to change and how it can.
Nurses are closest to the point of care, but far from decision-making
The report found that only 15% of respondents feel they’re healthcare organizations are “very ready” to adopt new technologies. And nurses, who represent 41% of the workforce surveyed in the report, are still not routinely involved in technology planning or selection. This is astounding in a time when shared governance should be hard-wired into any organization.
That’s a concern. Because nurses on the frontlines are the ones using these systems, they are the experts and the ones most knowledgeable in their workflows. In fact, research shows that nurses spend around 35% of their time documenting, so if a tool disrupts a workflow or adds extra clicks during patient admission, they feel that impact directly, and so do patients.
Being close to the bedside doesn’t mean we should be far from the boardroom. On the contrary, it makes a nurse’s perspective indispensable.
When tech works against us, everyone suffers
Technology is meant to streamline care, reduce errors, and improve outcomes. But when nurses are not consulted, systems can make their jobs harder.
When platforms are integrated poorly, it can create fragmentation, documentation redundancy, and disorder in workflows. And at times, nurses may spend more time troubleshooting tech than delivering care.
This is also closely linked to burnout. One study found that U.S. nurses rated their electronic health record (EHR) systems with an average usability score of just 57.6 on the System Usability Scale, a failing score, which was associated with increased levels of professional burnout.
And the Relias report confirms this. Only 7% of respondents said their organizations were proactive about exploring new platforms, and training gaps also remain one of the top compliance risks, with 38% of respondents citing it as a main concern.
That tells us two things:
- Innovation is slow.
- Frontline training is lacking in keeping pace.
When nurses are engaged in system design and implementation, the likelihood of sustainable, measurable improvement increases significantly.
Invest in training and treat it as a strategy
Only 17% of healthcare professionals in the report believed their training programs were very effective.
When training is generic, rushed, or happens after implementation, teams lack the necessary support to succeed. Nurses are incredibly capable. We’re lifelong learners by nature. However, we need training that’s hands-on, scenario-based, and relevant.
Too often, nurses are left to navigate new systems on their own time, completing training modules after night shifts or learning platforms during their days off. This approach is unsustainable and contributes directly to burnout.
In contrast, a well-designed training model can directly improvement readiness, performance and patient outcomes. One example includes a simulation-based training program for ambulatory clinic staff that led to significant increases in staff confidence, better management of real patient emergencies, and the identification of hidden safety risks.
Training should be treated as a strategic priority and investment rather than just checking a box. When training is well-designed, adoption improves, and patients are safer as a result.
AI and VR are here to stay
There’s no denying that artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) are reshaping healthcare. But according to the report, 53% of clinicians lack familiarity with AI-enabled healthcare tools, and 62% said their organizations are not utilizing VR and have no plans to adopt it, often due to training or cost barriers.
And yet, studies like the one from Emory University show that 95% of nurses found VR training useful for infection control, and 86% would apply it in practice.
Nurses and technology intersect most meaningfully when nurses are involved in the design, rollout, and support of tech-driven tools that impact the bedside.
The truth about nurses and technology: It’s not resistance, it’s reality
Nurses have long been at the forefront of adapting to new environments, new policies, and new technologies, showing they are open to change.
However, systems should complement care, not complicate it. The disconnect between the system and day-to-day workflow highlights the need for frontline input.
When nurses are involved early, during platform selection, pilot programs, and post-go-live evaluations, adoption is smoother, and outcomes are better. This aligns with the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) view that embedding innovation in nursing requires values, such as transparency, democracy, and interprofessional collaboration.
Here’s what meaningful inclusion can lead to:
- Higher adoption rates
- Better clinical outcomes
- Less resistance
- High quality, effective training programs
Remember, as nurses, we are more than end-users. We are key stakeholders, collaborators, and often, the first to identify whether a system is working or not.
How you can drive change as a nurse
Healthcare transformation is more than just top-down. You have power, too. Here’s how you can advocate for your inclusion in technology decisions:
Join cross-functional planning teams
Ask to be included in committees evaluating new systems. Your perspective matters, and you are part of the solution in bridging the gap between clinical workflow and technical solutions.
Explore nurse informatics roles
Consider additional training or certification in areas directly touching technology, such as informatics. These roles are a major connection between bedside practice and IT solutions. In fact, 41% of nurses working in informatics felt that achieving certification had been highly impactful on their career, according to the 2023 Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey.
Speak up and share your feedback during and after implementation
Bring your voice to the table and feel free to speak up if there are gaps you have identified. Advocate for structured feedback loops like post-go-live debriefs or user surveys.
Push for training that fits the real world you are work in
Insist on training that reflects the complexity of clinical practice, not just system navigation.
Leverage professional organizations
Organizations like the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and local nursing associations can help amplify your voice and provide tools for advocacy and support. Consider participating on committees and a task force.
Final thoughts on nurses and technology
For healthcare technology to reach its full potential, nurses must be seen as change agents and leaders. Nurses are resilient in adapting to technology but also shaping it. And when our voices are heard, our patients are safer, our workflows are smoother, and our organizations thrive.
Explore insights like this and more in the Relias 2025 Technology in Healthcare Report.
