Trends in Healthcare: What Nurses Should Watch Out For

• Current trends in healthcare for nurses and other medical professionals.
• How technology is going to continue pushing nursing to evolve.
• What nurses can do to advocate for their patients and for themselves.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a crystal ball that could predict the future so you could be better prepared?  Predicting the future is entertaining at the least – even a broken clock is right twice a day.  In the meantime, we do have some pretty good guesses about what 2023 will bring in regards to healthcare and nursing.

Predicted Nursing Trends for 2023

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a crystal ball that could predict the future so you could be better prepared?  Predicting the future is entertaining at the least – even a broken clock is right twice a day.  In the meantime, we do have some pretty good guesses about what 2023 will bring in regard to healthcare and nursing.  The following is a list of nursing trends for 2023 and events in 2022 and the past which have gained high confidence levels:

1. Emphasis on technology: The use of technology in healthcare has been increasing rapidly, and this trend is expected to continue. Nurses will need to be proficient in using various types of technology to provide high-quality patient care, including electronic health records, telehealth, and patient monitoring devices.  One’s social media skills do not really count unless you are using them to connect resources to yourself and patients.
2. Increased focus on patient-centered care:  Patient-centered care involves placing the patient at the center of the healthcare experience, and it has become top priority in the nursing profession and healthcare.  Putting patients first is not a new concept for nurses but administrators are definitely more concerned about patient satisfaction scores and surveys.  This approach involves understanding the patient’s unique needs, preferences, and values to provide personalized care that meets their individual goals.
3. Growing demand for advanced practice nurses: The healthcare system is facing a shortage of physicians, and advanced practice nurses (APRNs) are increasingly being called upon to provide primary care services.  APRNs, such as nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, are highly educated and skilled professionals who can diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions.
4. Greater emphasis on mental health: Mental health has become a major public health concern, and nurses are playing an increasingly important role in addressing this issue. Nurses are being trained to provide mental health services, such as counseling and medication management, and to recognize and respond to mental health crises.
5. Emphasis on cultural competence: Nurses need to be able to provide care that is culturally sensitive and appropriate for patients from diverse backgrounds.  This requires an understanding of cultural norms, values, and beliefs, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with patients who speak different languages or have different levels of health literacy.
6. Focus on prevention and wellness: Nurses are increasingly being called upon to provide preventative care and to promote wellness in order to prevent the onset of chronic conditions.  This involves educating patients on healthy lifestyles, providing screenings and vaccinations, and managing chronic conditions to prevent complications.
7. Image building for nurses: With the promotion of nursing during the Covid-19 pandemic, nurses enjoyed a boost to the image of our profession; however, that image also depicted exhausted nurses, which has led to a decline in nursing school enrollments. An interesting trend is to have large hospital corporations create their own nursing schools to “breed their own.”  State Boards of Nursing have seen a trend toward nurses not renewing their licenses in the past several years.  There is much that needs to improve in order for nursing to see a surge in enrollments again.
8. Entrepreneurial careers: Nurses are leaving the bedside and seeking new positions with an entrepreneurial edge.  Nurse health coaching, corporate nursing, journalism, and other health field positions are attracting hospital nurses and pulling them away from the bedside.  Nurses are discovering that their training and skills can be applied to other positions lucratively.

 As healthcare continues to evolve, nurses will need to stay abreast of new developments and adapt their skills and practices to meet the changing needs of patients within the healthcare system.

Technology and the Predicted General Medical Trends for 2023

1. Personalized medicine: Personalized medicine involves tailoring treatment plans to an individual’s unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.  Advances in genetic testing, artificial intelligence, and other technologies are enabling healthcare providers to develop personalized treatment plans that are more effective and efficient than traditional approaches.
2. Telemedicine: Telemedicine involves the use of technology to deliver healthcare services remotely.  This includes virtual consultations, remote patient monitoring, and telehealth programs.  Telemedicine is becoming increasingly popular, especially due to the need for remote access during the Covid pandemic, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and is expected to continue to grow in popularity in the coming years.
3. Health wearables and mobile health apps: health wearables, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and mobile health apps are becoming more popular as people seek to take control of their own health.  These technologies can help people monitor their fitness levels, track their sleep patterns, and monitor their health conditions in real-time, providing valuable data that can inform their healthcare decisions.
4. Artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by enabling healthcare providers to analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and develop personalized treatment plans.  AI can also be used to automate certain tasks such as medical coding and billing and the ability to free up healthcare providers to focus on patient care.  We already see AI in use within the EHR as coding allows nurses to be notified if certain vital sign parameters indicate potential sepsis.
5. Virtual reality: Virtual reality (VR) is being used in healthcare to provide immersive experiences that can help patients manage pain, anxiety, and other conditions.  VR is also being used for training purposes and is enabling healthcare providers to practice procedures in a simulated environment.
6. Precision Medicine: Precision medicine involves developing targeted therapies for specific conditions based on an individual’s genetic makeup.  This approach has already been successful in treating certain cancers and is expected to become more widely used in the coming years.  Advances in genetic medicine have already been seen such as identifying the best antidepressant medication in the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and will continue to make progress in pharmacology.

These are just a few of the medical trends in recent years.  As healthcare continues to evolve, new technologies and approaches are likely to emerge making what we do today seem archaic. Nurses need to stay abreast of these developments to provide the best possible care for their patients.

What Nurses can do in 2023 to have a Successful Career

Due to healthcare being a constantly evolving profession, nurses need to stay up to date with the latest knowledge and trends in nursing.  Following is a list of things you can do this year to stay competent, relevant, and informed:

• It is important for nurses to keep up with the latest developments in their field with continuing education courses, conferences, and professional organizations.
• Build a strong network: Building a network of colleagues, mentors, and other healthcare professionals can be beneficial for career development.  Networking can help nurses learn about new job opportunities, get advice and support from colleagues, and stay informed about industry changes.
• Seek out leadership opportunities: Nurses who are interested in advancing their careers should look for leadership opportunities within their organizations, such as serving on committees or taking on management roles.  This can help nurses develop leadership skills and gain valuable experience that can lead to career advancement.
• Embrace technology: As healthcare continues to become more technology-driven, nurses who are comfortable with using technology are likely to have an advantage in the job market.  Nurses should be willing to learn and use new technologies, such as electronic health records and telehealth platforms.
• Develop strong communication skills: Effective communication is essential for nurses to provide high-quality patient care.  Nurses should work on developing strong communication skills, both with patients and with other healthcare professionals to strengthen the voice of nurses.
• Foster a positive work environment: Nurses who work in a positive and supportive work environment are more likely to be satisfied with their careers.  Nurses can help create a positive work environment by being supportive of colleagues, promoting teamwork, and advocating for positive change within their organizations in collaborative ways.

What Nurses Should be Careful About in 2023

1. Burnout: Nursing is a demanding and often stressful profession, and burnout can be a serious issue for nurses.  Nurses should be aware of the signs of burnout such as fatigue, irritability, and decreased job satisfaction, and take steps to prevent and manage it.  These may include taking breaks, practicing self-care, and seeking support from colleagues or mental health professionals.
2. Infection control: Infection control is always important in healthcare settings, but it may be even more so in 2023 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other mutations of the virus.  Nurses should follow all recommended infection control procedures such as wearing appropriate protective equipment, washing their hands frequently, and practicing social distancing.
3. Medication errors: Medication errors can have serious consequences for patients and nurses should be vigilant in their medication administration practices.  Nurses should double-check all medications before administering them, verify patient allergies and medication orders, and report any errors or near-misses immediately.  The national news about a nurse’s criminal status became a huge issue in the nursing profession as nurses are torn between the threats of legal punishment if they admit to a medication error versus risking the life of a patient if they remain silent.  Your integrity is as critical as your nursing license.
4. Cybersecurity: As healthcare becomes increasingly reliant on technology, cybersecurity is becoming a growing concern.  Nurses should be aware of the risk of cyber-attacks, such as data breaches or ransomware attacks, and take steps to protect patient information and other sensitive data.
5. Maintaining professional boundaries: Nurses should maintain professional boundaries with patients and should avoid dual relationships or becoming too emotionally involved with patients.  Boundaries are important for patient safety and help prevent burnout and other legal and ethical issues.  Remember, nurses have been voted the number one most trusted profession for decades, and that in itself makes a huge statement.

Ways that Nurses can Help Patients Navigate the Healthcare System in 2023

As nurses represent the healthcare profession that has the most direct interaction with patients, nurses are generally the ones to help patients navigate a complex and difficult healthcare system. Suggestions for nurses to help patients work through the challenges in 2023 include the following:

1. 1. Educate patients about their conditions: Nurses can help patients understand their health conditions, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment options.  Remember, it is still the physician’s legal responsibility, but nurses can help simplify and translate the medical jargon they are often given by medical providers.  Nurses can help patients make informed decisions about their care and feel more empowered in managing their health.
   2. Advocate for patients: Nurses can advocate for their patients by helping them communicate their needs and preferences to other healthcare professionals, ensuring they receive appropriate care, and addressing any concerns or questions they may have.
   3. Provide resources: Nurses can help patients access resources such as support groups, patient education materials, and financial assistance programs. This can help patients navigate the healthcare system and manage their conditions more effectively.
   4. Coordinate care: Nurses can help patients navigate the healthcare system by coordinating their care and ensuring that they receive appropriate follow-up care after hospitalizations or procedures.  Case managers, who are often nurses, play a large role in helping coordinate care during transitions from home to hospital to rehab and back home. Simple tasks such as medication reconciliation are an example of coordinating care as a patient transitions from one location to another, which can help prevent complications and ensure they receive the care they need.
   5. Communicate effectively: Effective communication is the key to helping patients navigate the healthcare system.  Nurses should communicate clearly by explaining procedures, treatments, options, and test results in a way that is easy for patients to understand.  Cultural and Linguistic Appropriate Services (CLAS) is a national mandate and standard to address patients with the language services they need – this does not indicate being fluent in their language but at least connecting them with the service they need.
   6. Empower patients: Nurses can empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare by encouraging them to ask questions, voice their concerns, and participate in decision-making about their care.  In a culture and society with growing technology and options, patients may not even know what their options are, and nurses can help them understand more clearly.

What Should Patients Know about Healthcare in 2023

With the growing elderly population and an increasingly complex healthcare system, patients need to know what trends to be aware of so they can better understand how to use healthcare services.  Nurses can also help patients know what they can do to be better prepared for changes in 2023.  The following list is some ideas for what patients need to know:

• Access to healthcare: Patients should know that access to healthcare can vary depending on factors such as location, insurance coverage, and healthcare provider availability. Patients should be aware of their healthcare options and resources, such as community health clinics, telemedicine, and patient assistance programs.  The general public also needs to know when it is appropriate to go to the Emergency Department or a physician’s office, or urgent care.  Nurses can help teach patients the difference and nurses need to know the resources in their own community so they can refer patients correctly.
• Preventive Care: Preventive care is important for maintaining good health and preventing illness.  Patients should know what preventive care measures they should take, such as getting regular check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations.
• Patient safety: Patient safety should be a top priority in healthcare and can be taught by nurses and include simple hand hygiene, medication safety, fall precautions, and infection control.
• Electronic health records: Electronic health records (EHRs) are becoming more common in healthcare and patients need to know their health information is protected by privacy laws.  They need to know they have a right to access and review their own health records.
• Health literacy: Health literacy refers to a patient’s ability to understand health information and make informed decisions about their healthcare.  Patients should be aware of their own health literacy level and take steps to improve if necessary, such as asking questions and seeking out reliable health information.   Google may not be the best source, and nurses can guide patients to reputable websites for health information.
• Mental health: Mental health is an important component of overall health and truly affects all other levels of a person’s health.  Patients should be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. People need to know there are treatment options and how to find them.  Ever since the pandemic, public health information about mental health has been more visible and accessible, which is a definite improvement.

Overall, patients should be informed and proactive about their healthcare and should work closely with their healthcare providers to ensure that they receive the best possible care.

The Bottom Line

2023 is an exciting time to be alive!  Each new year brings changes and challenges, but also opportunities for growth and experience.  Nurses can have the best year possible by being aware of growing trends in healthcare, which can help them enjoy this wonderful profession of nursing. 

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