EDUCATION
Reimagining nursing education Gerald Jaideep, CEO, Medvarsity highlights that virtual reality training can improve nursing education and be utilised as a therapy tool or clinical intervention in both paediatric and adult populations
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echnology is improving by the minute and has a deeper impact on people's lives more than ever before. Many facets of our work-life have also changed as a result of technological advancements in varied fields. In the health domain, technology plays an essential role from screening for diagnosis to therapy and post-treatment care and recovery. We live in a time when cutting-edge technology exists but isn't yet fully incorporated into the healthcare system. To do this, we must create an environment that promotes diversity and recognises nursing as a vital component of the healthcare system. The last few decades have seen the growth of healthcare with the help of modern technology, in-depth scientific knowledge, and advanced healthcare concepts. Technology is intended to enhance patient outcomes, as well as lower expenses. Technological advances like AI and robotics can help patients with cognitive, sensory, and motor disabilities, as well as help those who are ill or injured; support caregivers, and aid the nursing workforce. Moreover, virtual reality training can improve nursing education and be utilised as a therapy tool or clinical intervention in both paediatric and adult populations. In addition, motion monitoring systems at home can help personalise care decisions for seniors with memory issues. Nurses and caregivers should indeed be engaged in the design, development, and implementation of such systems to improve decision-making, workflow, and potential outcomes. A professional culture that encourages the use of mobile devices in clinical practice is essential. Nurses should be educated on the use of social media and internet health information appropriately, and they should encourage patients to use these tools to better their
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EXPRESS HEALTHCARE
May 2022
With this pandemic, the need for virtual health care has accelerated and as a result, significant job growth for nurses has become a necessity. Online education programs will continue to increase in popularity self-management. Nurses and educators should be able to use low-cost devices and software that connect with existing mobile, internet, and other digital technologies. Nowadays, nurses and caregivers use a variety of technology-driven ways to improve their productivity, such as Electronic Health Records to track patient history and smart beds to optimise patient positioning. In the wake of COVID-19, there has been a quick transition to the use of both synchronous and asynchronous modes of online teaching-learning modules,
effective learner participation strategies, and creative assessment tools. The absence of students on the campus due to a life-threatening pandemic has provided a great opportunity for medical educators to experiment, and innovate in transforming the principles of nursing education as well as pedagogical techniques. Pre-pandemic, students practiced their clinical skills in the practice rooms with patients. During COVID-19 students were forced to adapt, thus pre-recorded demonstrations or virtual simulation resources were provided to the students to
watch and practice. Educators have employed a variety of webbased platforms and learning management systems, with the inclusion of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, telemedicine, and chatbots with teachers providing formative comments remotely. Distance learning, when combined with online games, podcasts, virtual simulations, remote monitoring, and webinars to aid the learning process, highlights the significance of active learning. With this pandemic, the need for virtual health care has accelerated and as a result, significant job growth for nurses has become a necessity. Online education programs will continue to increase in popularity. Currently, the Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) is running a certified free online course for students and nurses on “Essential upskills on COVID-19 pandemic management". From 2000 to 2016, ANM schools have increased from 298 to 1927, GNM schools from 285 to 3040, B.Sc. colleges from 30 to 1752, and M.Sc. colleges from 10 to 611. Although the increase is significant, there is a gap between demand and supply. However, there is a scope for improving the imbalance in nursing education through the continuous efforts of the State and the medical fraternity. The Supreme Court has recommended a minimum salary of Rs 20,000 per month as the starting salary of a staff nurse in private hospitals. INC is in the process of developing a practical integration of service and education model for the country. Florence Nightingale awards instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in 1973, recognise and honour the services of outstanding nursing personnel in the country. This award, which includes a medal, certificate, citation and cash award of Rs 50,000, is given to 35 nurses every year on May 12, In-
ternational Nurses Day. Today there is a greater demand for nurses in specialty areas such as critical care, operating rooms, radiology special procedures, maternity wards, and emergency rooms. In recent years, India has seen a dramatic increase in the number of nursing education schools, despite the fact that there is still a national shortage. The commercial sector presently provides over 88 per cent of the nurse education. However, nursing education is geographically imbalanced in the country, with the majority of graduate and postgraduate education taking place in the South. Northern states such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh account for only 9 per cent of the country's nursing schools. Fundamental issues like fair compensation, safe and supportive work conditions, clear directions and career pathways for the nurses will be critical in developing and fostering a global nursing workforce. While creating a balance between supply and demand for a trained and eager workforce of frontline warriors, a collaboration between nursing educators and practicing nurses should be a must. One commonly recommended strategy to improve nursing education is to recruit more faculty and support existing faculty to develop their educational provision and practices. Mentoring programs starting at the high school level would also encourage more nurses to join the profession. The salaries and benefits of registered nurses will need to continuously rise, medical institutions should aspire to not only recruit qualified nurses but also to be able to focus on keeping them. We must harness technology, guarantee that there are enough, satisfied, and qualified nurses in the country, and provide them with new chances for personal and professional advancement.
