NUR-2868 Rasmussen College – What do you think nursing contributes to health care? How can a robotic system incorporate the

QUESTION

What do you think nursing contributes to health care? How can a robotic system incorporate the clinical judgment that nurses use? Be as creative as you wish!

While this is an attempt at humor about a serious situation, it drives a fundamental question: What would health care be without nurses?

ANSWER

The Crucial Role of Nursing in Healthcare: Beyond Robots and Clinical Judgment

Introduction

Nursing plays a vital and irreplaceable role in the healthcare system. Beyond the realm of clinical judgment, nurses bring compassion, empathy, and human touch to patient care. While robotic systems have made significant advancements in healthcare, it is essential to acknowledge the unique contributions of nurses and explore creative ways to integrate their expertise with emerging technologies.

Patient Advocacy and Holistic Care

Nurses serve as advocates for patients, ensuring their needs are met and their voices are heard. They play a crucial role in bridging the gap between patients and other healthcare professionals, facilitating effective communication and promoting holistic care (Nsiah et al., 2019). A robotic system, while efficient in performing tasks, lacks the ability to empathize, provide emotional support, and address the psychological and social aspects of patient care that nurses excel at.

Clinical Judgment and Decision Making

 Clinical judgment is a cornerstone of nursing practice. Nurses possess the ability to assess patients comprehensively, interpret complex data, and make critical decisions based on their expertise and experience. While robotic systems can process vast amounts of medical information, they lack the contextual understanding, intuition, and ability to adapt to unpredictable situations that nurses possess (Benner, 2008). Incorporating clinical judgment into a robotic system would require replicating the depth of human experience, emotions, and ethical considerations – a monumental challenge.

Bridging Technology and Human Interaction

 Instead of envisioning a scenario where robotic systems replace nurses, a more fruitful approach lies in exploring how technology can enhance and support their roles. Robotics can be integrated into nursing practice to automate routine tasks, such as medication administration, data collection, and monitoring vital signs. By automating these tasks, nurses can focus more on direct patient care, building meaningful connections, and using their clinical judgment to address complex healthcare needs.

Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Care

Nursing is an inherently collaborative profession, with nurses working closely with physicians, therapists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. Effective teamwork and communication among these stakeholders are vital for delivering optimal patient outcomes (Rosen et al., 2018). While robotic systems can facilitate data sharing and communication, they lack the ability to build relationships and form strong interdisciplinary care teams. Nurses contribute to the harmony and synergy of the healthcare system, ensuring that all stakeholders work cohesively towards a common goal.

Education, Research, and Leadership

Nurses play an essential role in education, research, and leadership within the healthcare domain. They contribute to the development of evidence-based practice, participate in quality improvement initiatives, and drive innovation. Robotic systems may assist in data analysis and research, but nurses bring unique insights and perspectives gained through their direct involvement with patients and their communities. Their contributions extend beyond the bedside, influencing policy and driving systemic improvements.

Conclusion

Nursing’s contributions to healthcare go far beyond clinical judgment. Nurses bring human connection, advocacy, empathy, and leadership to patient care, elements that cannot be easily replicated by robotic systems. Rather than seeking to replace nurses, it is more productive to explore how technology can augment and support their roles. By integrating robotics into routine tasks, nurses can focus on their strengths, such as clinical judgment, patient advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration, leading to enhanced patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system.

References 

Benner, P. (2008, April 1). Clinical Reasoning, Decisionmaking, and Action: Thinking Critically and Clinically. Patient Safety and Quality – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2643/ 

Nsiah, C., Siakwa, M., & Ninnoni, J. P. K. (2019). Registered Nurses’ description of patient advocacy in the clinical setting. Nursing Open, 6(3), 1124–1132. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.307

Rosen, M. J., DiazGranados, D., Dietz, A. S., Benishek, L. E., Thompson, D. R., Pronovost, P. J., & Weaver, S. J. (2018). Teamwork in healthcare: Key discoveries enabling safer, high-quality care. American Psychologist, 73(4), 433–450. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000298