Factors That Impact Nurses Use of Technology: A Qualitative Study

The use of technology in nursing has increased, most notably since the Covid-19 pandemic which highlighted benefits of digital health in nursing practice. Understanding the enablers and barriers associated with nurses' use of digital technology is important as these can impact adoption and engagement. To understand the factors that impacted New Zealand nurses' use of technology a national online survey was undertaken in August 2022. Participants (n=191) came from varied clinical settings across the country. Their responses to the open-ended questions were thematically analyzed and are reported here. Four themes were identified: 1) Knowledge of digital technology, 2) connectivity, 3) devices and systems, and 4) training and education. Understanding the factors that impact nurses use of technology can support actions to build the digital competency of nurses, enhance the nursing workforce and therefore benefit patient care.