Being a nurse in a digital hospital: A qualitative research

Objective: This study aims to explore the perceptions of nurses working in digital hospitals based on their digital hospital experience. Method: This study was designed according to a phenomenological research design. Content analysis was conducted in the study, and the results were presented descriptively. Findings were classified and interpreted based on the research objectives, supported by direct expressions, emerging themes, and patterns. NVIVO 14 qualitative research software was utilized for data analysis and interpretation. Nurses' perceptions regarding being a nurse in the digital hospital were determined using metaphor analysis method. The universe of the study consists of nurses working at Izmir Ödemiş State Hospital, which falls under the HIMSS EMRAM Level 7 category. The sample of the study comprised 18 nurses who met the sample selection criteria and volunteered to participate. Personal information forms and semi-structured nurse interview forms were used as data collection tools in the research. Results: The statements of the nurses participating in the study were analyzed under four main themes and 14 sub-themes. It was observed that the nurses participating in the study mostly expressed their perceptions of being a nurse in the digital hospital with the metaphor of "robot." All middle-level nurse managers who participated in the study generated positive metaphors. Nearly half of the nurses participating in the research expressed that digital applications led to the perception that nurses were more focused on computer-oriented tasks rather than patient care. Conclusion: The research revealed that nurses working in digital hospitals negatively assessed digital health applications under heavy workloads. However, they were also aware of the advantages of these applications. Nurses expressed a desire to dedicate more time to patient care and enhance patient-centered care. Additionally, managerial nurses exhibited positive perceptions regarding digital health applications. Key words: digitalization, digital perception, digital experience, digital hospital, digitalization in nursing