Nurses' innovative use of information systems: a narrative review

Despite the widespread adoption of Nursing Information Systems (NIS), nurses often remain positioned as passive users, which limits the potential for system-driven care transformation.

This narrative review synthesizes evidence on nurses' innovative use behaviors in NIS to identify actionable pathways for empowering nurses as co-designers of digital health solutions.

A synthesis of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP. Studies were selected based on relevance to nurses' roles in NIS innovation following the SANRA principles.

Nurses are key drivers in NIS innovation, shifting from passive users to proactive contributors to digital health. Evidence shows nurse-led initiatives improve patient safety, documentation, and care efficiency. Theories explain how nurses adapt NIS to clinical needs, especially in resource-limited settings. However, barriers remain, including inconsistent policies, inadequate digital training, and unequal system access.

Advancing NIS innovation may require a policy shift from basic functional training toward structural empowerment. Policymakers and healthcare leaders should consider positioning nurses as system co-designers, providing protected resources and formal incentive mechanisms to foster a sustainable digital nursing ecosystem.