Robots in Nursing: A Qualitative Study of the Views of Nurses and Nurse Leaders

To explore the views of nurses and nurse leaders about the role of robots in hospital nursing care.

This paper outlines two phases of a qualitative study exploring the role of robots in UK nursing over the next 10-15 years.

Twenty-five registered nurses and 12 nurse leaders took part in online focus groups during January and October 2022. Registered nurse data were analysed using the Fundamentals of Care framework to identify activities robots should assist with and those they should not. Reflective Thematic Analysis was then used to generate themes from both registered nurses' and nurse leaders' data.

Registered nurses' level of agreement that robots can assist with activities within three nursing dimensions of physical, psychosocial and relational activity is presented in graphic form. In addition, registered nurses explored a fear of the future, the possibility of a negotiated reality and a positive opportunity to use robots. Nurse leaders discussed the essence of nursing, arguing for action: 'We have to do something' and to 'Reframe the future'.

Nurses were more accepting of robotic assistance with physical tasks than with psychosocial or emotional support. Nurse leaders exhibited an appetite to lead the debate and reframe the narrative towards an assistive contribution. This study provides a foundation for further debate and offers insight to enable nursing to harness assistive technology.

The study's findings expand the current literature on the acceptability of robots assisting nurses and offer insights that may underpin future discussions and considerations.

The fundamentals of care framework considers nursing as a relational activity and therefore offers a broader perspective for discussing activities that robots may assist with.

This study adheres to the SRQR EQUATOR guidelines for qualitative research.

Patients and members of the public were involved in study design, and their contributions influenced the planning stages.