Changes in Nursing Education: Distance Education and Technology

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Added on 2021/04/16

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This essay examines the significant influence of distance education and technology on nursing education. It explores both the positive and negative impacts, highlighting how online learning and information technology have reshaped the field. The essay discusses the flexibility and accessibility afforded by distance learning, as well as the challenges of ensuring quality and addressing potential misinformation. It also delves into the role of ICT in nursing, its impact on patient care, and the need for updated training for both educators and students. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of adapting to these changes to provide high-quality healthcare and support the evolving needs of nursing students and professionals.

Running Head: TREND INFLUENCING NURSING EDUCATION 1
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TREND INFLUENCING NURSING EDUCATION
CHANGES DUE TO DISTANCE EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Introduction
Distance learning and technology have affected the nursing education in both positive and
negative way. Distance learning is where the nurses can access the training on healthcare even
without the educator's presence. Distance learning is done by the help of technology where the
expert post relevant information on the internet for the nursing students to read. Traditional
classroom based on the educationalist programs and curriculum have been replaced by web-
based applications. The idea of introducing distance learning was to deal with the rapid increase
in the healthcare demand. There are about 2.4 million registered nurses, and that makes it
difficult for them to provide the best healthcare to the large population of 325 million. Distance
education was started to provide high-quality patient care to the diverse communities.
Effect of the trend or issue on nursing education
Distance education and technology have a positive impact on the nursing education, and it is
there to stay. One of the advantages is that it allows flexibility of the student to view the learning
materials at their own convenient time. According to Zsohar and Smith (2008), online courses
are now becoming part of formal nursing education. The current nursing student will prefer
online learning because they need to have time to explore and learn more outside the classroom.
The 21st-century nurses have the advantage of utilizing the online formats, and they benefit more
since the information provided online is rich and comprehensive. Technology will solve the
problem of shortage of nurses in America, and it could be the best solution to attain the best
healthcare. The reason why there is a shortage of nurses is due to the low number of the accepted
students in the nursing program. The educators require high qualification which most of the
learners are unable to meet, and they are left with the option of choosing other courses. Distance

TREND INFLUENCING NURSING EDUCATION
learning makes it easy for the learner to access the information and they do not need to waste
resources when going to classes.
Distance learning has a negative impact as well, and that has made the qualified doctors look
down upon the nurses who are trained online. Technology is advancing day by, and different
information on various fields is posted. If the students are not keen enough they might get the
wrong information which will make them incompetent. Lack of peer-reviewed details is the
primary cause of the incorrect information online. According to Carroll (2016), nursing
information on social media should be taught as sidelight but not to replace the traditional
classroom method.
Distance education and technology have made it possible for the government to shift from
hospital-based care to community-based care. Distance learning has changed the nursing
education and the setting because it is difficult for a student to learn online and practice both in
hospital and community setting. The educators feel that distance learning should at least have
some lecture periods where the learners interact with the educators. Introduction to distance
education will mean that the nursing programs will improve because of the advanced interagency
communication which is as a result of the information technology. Data generation will be
smooth, and in the long run, it will create future health policies.
Research support
Impact of information technology in nursing
ICT have significantly influenced the education of nurses, and it is also provided as distance
learning education. The new technologies have brought changes because it is not simple when it
comes to implementation. The technology has made it possible for the knowledge transfer to be

TREND INFLUENCING NURSING EDUCATION
comfortable and fast. Also, the ICT can promote patient-centered healthcare where the patients
can be able to treat themselves with the help of the information posted online. Time travel has
been reduced and on nurse can now treat several patients with the help of information
technology.Information sharing is part of the distance learning because mostly the information is
provided by the expert who shares their knowledge to help save the people with direct care. The
program has brought changes because the nurses were used to the traditional way where the
patients had to go to the hospital. According to Bastable (2019) there is need to prepare the nurse
educators and students for their new role of teaching patient health education and promotion.
That will be attained by making updated references, providing nurse educator mapping and
giving case studies (Susan & Bastable, 2019).
Recommendation
Nursing education is experiencing many changes and challenges as well. The system has moved
from traditional classroom to web-based clinical instructions, and the changes continue.
Introduction to distance learning has affected the nursing educators because they have to remedy
the differences. The educators have to support the system because of its endless benefits to the
people of United States. The students have to be coached and encouraged to generate new
technology for more and advanced nursing education which is dynamic. The national league for
Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) should support the program so that proper
healthcare can be provided to the American people.

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TREND INFLUENCING NURSING EDUCATION
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