Facilitating Caring Behaviors in Technology-Dependent Nursing Practice Through the use of Simulation Training and Confluent Education Strategies

This paper explores the meaning and benefits of nurse caring, describes the impact that technology has on modern nursing practice, and outlines recommendations for the integration of caring and technology to achieve the highest quality nursing care. Supported by Swanson’s (1991) Theory of Caring and Locsin’s (2005) Theory of Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing, instructional strategies that could be employed by a nurse educator to foster and enhance caring behaviors concurrently with technical training are presented. These include the use of simulation, with an emphasis on reflection during debriefing, and confluent education strategies. The goal of these strategies is to assist practicing nurses to identify their own caring behaviors, to recognize opportunities to enhance their caring practice, and to find meaning in the use of technology as an expression of caring for their patients