Use and effects of wearable technologies in nursing: A review of current literature

Objective: This study aims to examine the current and potential use of wearable technologies in nursing practices; to evaluate the contributions of these technologies to patient care, clinical decision-making, education and monitoring processes, and to reveal their effects on the digital transformation of nursing care in the light of current literature. Materials and Methods: In this literature-based review, studies published between 2021 and 2025 were scanned; the keywords “wearable technologyâ€, “mobile technologyâ€, “wearable technology in health†and “wearable technology in nursing†were used. The obtained data were evaluated from the perspective of nursing and health services, and the advantages, limitations and application possibilities of wearable devices were analyzed. Findings: The reviewed studies show that wearable technologies are used in many areas, from monitoring the elderly and chronically ill individuals at home to monitoring the burnout levels of nurses. Thanks to technologies such as fall detection belts, heart rhythm monitors, non-invasive glucose meters and smart glasses, patient safety increases, the quality of care improves and the workload of nurses can be reduced. However, problems such as high cost, lack of technical training and data privacy are also noteworthy. Discussion and Conclusion: The findings show that wearable technologies provide significant benefits in providing holistic care, early intervention and facilitating time management in nursing practices. However, the devices need to be supported in terms of technical infrastructure, ethical rules, data security and technology literacy of nurses. As a result, the development of comprehensive training, institutional collaboration and financial support mechanisms for the effective integration of wearable technologies will contribute to a sustainable digital transformation for both patients and healthcare professionals