Abstract:

This study examines the effects of technology on the caring attitudes of undergraduate nursing students. The overall goal of nursing education is to prepare students who can practice at the basic entry level of nursing. Nurses entering workforce are faced with many challenges, but today the multiple demands of patient care are complicated by a nurse’s need to keep abreast of fast-changing technology. The National Leagues for Nursing (NLN) Position Statements (2005, 2008) encourage nurse educators to integrate technology into their teaching. According to Locsin (2005), technological competency in nursing is an expression of caring because technology assists the nurse in knowing about the patient at the time care is given.
The participants of this study included students accepted into Minot State University’s nursing program. Quantitative methodology was used in the study. The survey instruments include the Caring Attributes, Professional Self-concept Technological Influences Scale (Arthur et al., 1998, 1999) and a Technology Confidence Survey (Hess and Heuer, 2003).

Keywords:

caring, nursing education, technology, nursing as caring.