The Healthcare industry is changing rapidly and the pace has exacerbated after the pandemic. The mandatory isolation of patients in their houses was a challenge that was overcome through the use of telehealth services and RPM devices. AI models of care delivery that were synthesized and limited to prototype versions or laboratories paved the way for full-scale functional channels. In the last two years, a lot has changed, and now is the new normal.
The nursing profession has to adapt to healthcare developments and policy changes to deliver clinical care for patients. Nursing students and practicing nurses have to continuously stay on top of the latest trends in the nursing profession and healthcare industry. They need to learn core nursing fundamentals and keep reviewing their clinical knowledge. Staying well informed about the changes helps nursing practitioners and registered nurses serve their patients and help fellow novice nurses who are struggling to gain a grip on their profession.
In 2022, the nursing profession will change consistently to improve and strive to keep up with healthcare developments while delivering the best patient care. Nurses who can adapt to the changes in healthcare developments will be future-ready and will not face difficulty finding a job.
Let us see five such trends that will reshape the careers of enthusiastic and hardworking nurses:
Medtech and online learning
Several companies started using AI and ML to offer medical and nursing courses as online preparatory aids. Complete with simulation-based learning and umpteen videos describing a context-based medical condition, some of these Medtech companies have simplified the process of learning and closed many gaps and comprehension loopholes in the knowledge delivery system of traditional clinical and nursing programs.
The lack of well-trained nursing instructors and access to a regular nursing program is no longer a hurdle for a nursing aspirant. With access to over a thousand videos that explain all the important topics in line with the practice exams for the licensure exams, online learning aids are indispensable tools for new-age nurses. Clearing NCLEX is no longer a tiring experience for students who avail of Medtech course aids.
Telehealth nursing services
Patients can keep up with clinical appointments without moving out of their houses and their biometric data is measured through advanced digital tools such as remote patient monitoring or RPM devices when healthcare promotes telehealth services.
It is an extremely time-saving and efficient model for the delivery of post-trauma care that can be managed at home. Telehealth nurses follow up with their patients through video calls, or by checking RPM data.
Virtual reality-based devices that can help a patient maintain their physical therapy regime at home de-stresses the need for patients to commute in their painful conditions. Instead of exerting themselves, in the comfort of their home, through digital devices patients will be able to exercise for post-trauma rehabilitation to increase their mobility. The consistent efforts from telehealth nurses to engage remote patients will deliver low-cost efficient care. Telehealth nurses also promote non-clinical services like health education and disease prevention awareness campaigns. Initiatives that reduce the footfall of ambulatory patients who can be remotely monitored are a definitive step to reducing the rising costs of healthcare facilities in a country.
Nursing informatics and predictive analytics
One of the finest transformations in the healthcare industry is the use of big data for precision medicine, informatics, and predictive analytics. The use of deep learning and neural networks detect diseases in the patient pool with common traits at early-stage diagnosis. The technical advancements are mind-boggling and demand nurses to be constantly involved in the innovation from the planning stages. Nurses are steady caregivers and their opinion can make a difference in the discipline of nursing informatics and future innovations.
Here are some ways a nurse can contribute to the field of precision medicine advancements:
- Augment accuracy of diagnosis
- Identify at-risk patients
- Prevent diseases rather than just treating them
- Avoid over-care or unnecessary treatment plans
- Better patient outcomes
Nurses with an interest in data analytics can work towards a rewarding career experience in the field of big data and nursing informatics.
Demand for nurses with specializations
Healthcare jobs seek specialization as hospitals are stressing patient engagement and outcomes. A nurse who specializes in the area of discipline matching with the treatment plan will always be a priority over a general registered nurse. A specialized nurse will accentuate general clinical skills with advanced certifications and related work experience. Some of the specialization areas where nurses with requisite expertise will always command a good pay package and an abundance of job openings are:
- Telemetry nurses
- Oncology ICU nurse
- Cardiac nurse
- Neonatal care nurse
- Orthopedic nurse
Nurses with multiple specializations open up the window for more opportunities
A rise in non-clinical roles
Nurses with advanced degrees like MSN and doctorates in nursing are indispensable storehouses of practical knowledge and experience that most educators and nursing programs consistently seek.
Other high-paying non-clinical nursing roles in the pharma and healthcare industry involve experienced nurses in the roles of clinical trials and studies for drug formulations. Fields like legal nurse and public nurse roles are just lucrative for someone who would like to step away from the high pressure of clinical operations. Administrative roles in nursing are leadership roles that encompass the clinical and management skills of a nurse.
Conclusion:
Nurses are healing caregivers and an instrumental workforce in the healthcare industry. With the advent of technology, the career prospects of nurses who adapt and upskill will enjoy an enriching nursing career. For most people joining nursing, force is a calling to serve humanity in a meaningful way and alleviate patients' pain through consistent follow-ups and effective communication. However, the journey of the nursing program and landing a desirable job is an arduous one. It demands discipline, hard work, and a zeal to learn about the latest developments. But with resources and few strategies, anyone desirous of becoming a registered nurse can enroll in a program of their choice and prepare to clear the licensure exams to start practicing in the future.
