Enabling Digital Professionalism: Analysis of the Australian and United Kingdom Nursing Education Standards

Abstract

Growth in use of digital technology for leisure and learning has created challenges for healthcare environments globally. Its rapid evolution in nursing continues to outpace the more sporadic updating of registered nurse standards, guidelines and codes of professional conduct. Revised standards in Australia and the United Kingdom establish the contemporary governance context for the educational preparation of registered nurses. A document analysis of these standards reveals an omit of guidance regarding the expected knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviour of undergraduate nurses about when and how to access and use of digital technology on campus, and during work integrated learning. Documents governing nursing do not currently foster the development of digital professionalism, an essential component of professional identity formation, which is necessary to acquire prior to graduation as a registered nurse.