Digitally dedicated nurses: a nationwide cross-sectional study of associated career and digital factors in the workplace

TL;DR

The study explores how Finnish nurses feel dedicated to using digital tools at work and finds that career stage and training opportunities influence this dedication.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new concept of 'digital dedication' in nursing and identifies factors that influence it, particularly the moderating role of EHR training.

Findings

Late-career nurses showed lower digital dedication compared to early-career nurses.

EHR training opportunities reduced the negative effect of being in a late career stage.

Nurse managers and those using multiple systems had higher digital dedication scores.

Abstract

Nurses need job dedication to manage demanding working conditions, deliver high-quality care, and sustain professional interest. This dedication expands into digital dedication with electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information systems (HISs) prevailing in the nursing working day, combined with technologies for remote client interactions. This study examined (1) nurses’ digital dedication, (2) its variation based on career stage, position, EHR training opportunities, supportive HISs, and technology in use at work, and (3) whether EHR training opportunities moderate the association between career stage and digital dedication.

A nationwide cross-sectional survey for registered nurses (N = 2926) was conducted in spring 2023 in Finland. Digital dedication was measured by perceived enthusiasm, inspiration, and pride in using nursing technologies. Associations of independent variables with dedication were analysed using linear regression, adjusted for background factors.

The mean digital dedication score was 2.91 (SD = 1.10, scale 1–5), indicating occasional dedication. In the multivariable model, late career stage was associated with lower dedication compared to early career stage (b = − 0.46, 95% CI [− 0.63, − 0.29]). EHR training opportunities moderated this association, weakening the negative effect of late career stage for those with training (b = 0.31, 95% CI [0.01, 0.62]). Additionally, nurse managers (b = 0.39, 95% CI [0.25, 0.52]), those using multiple HISs (b = 0.21, 95% CI [0.13, 0.30]), and working digitally with clients (b = 0.31, 95% CI [0.21, 0.40]) had higher scores compared to their counterparts. A stronger agreement with supportive HISs was associated with higher scores (b = 0.23, 95% CI [0.18, 0.28]).

Digital dedication among nurses in Finland appears to be modest. Ensuring ongoing EHR training that addresses late career nurses’ needs is crucial; it can elevate their dedication to early career levels. Regular team discussions on technology use could enable managers to foster greater staff dedication. When invested in systems that genuinely support tasks, greater technology use can also improve dedication. Promoting digital dedication in nursing is important, as it could enable new roles in digital and remote work, particularly benefitting those for whom traditional roles have become too physically demanding.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-025-13333-0.

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