The Role of Nurses in Digital Health Transformation: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Digital transformation is reshaping healthcare systems globally, influencing clinical practice, education, leadership, and patient engagement. Nurses, as the largest segment of the healthcare workforce, play a pivotal role in adopting, implementing, and optimizing digital health technologies. This narrative review explores the expanding role of nurses in digital transformation, focusing on electronic health records (EHRs), mobile health (mHealth), telehealth and telerehabilitation, artificial intelligence (AI), automation technologies including robotics and drones, and wearable devices. Literature from 2015 to 2024 was reviewed to examine benefits, challenges, and implications for nursing practice. Digital technologies enhance patient-centered care, improve decision-making, enable real-time monitoring, and streamline workflows. However, issues such as digital divide, data privacy concerns, usability challenges, burnout, and inadequate training remain significant barriers. Strengthening digital literacy, leadership engagement, curriculum integration, and supportive organizational policies are essential to maximizing the potential of digital transformation. Nurses remain central to shaping safe, ethical, and effective digital healthcare systems.