Using a management perspective to define and measure changes in nursing technology

Aims. The aims of this paper are to discuss the uses Of the concept of tech nology from the medical science and the management perspectives; to propose a clear definition of nursing technology; and to present a Study applying the use of the concept of nursing technology on nursing units. Background. Nurse managers must use management terms correctly and the term technology may be misleading for some. A review of the nursing literature shows varied uses of the concept of technology. Thus a discussion of the di mensions, attributes, consequences, and definitions of nursing technology f rom the management perspective are given. Design. A longitudinal study to measure the dimensions Of nursing technolog y on nursing units 10 years apart. Results. The findings suggest that the dimensions of nursing technology cha nge over time and support the need for nurse managers to periodically asses s nursing technology before making management changes at the level of the n ursing unit. Conclusions. This study helps health care providers understand the unique r ole of nurses as healthcare professionals by identifying and measuring nurs ing technology on the nursing unit.