At the Center of Change

Nurse managers are the critical link between strategy and care delivery, yet they are often excluded from decisions about technology design and implementation. Exclusion contributes to resistance and burnout, driven by systemic challenges such as the introduction of new technologies without adequate input on their impact on workflow. This misalignment can result in an increased operational burden rather than improved efficiency. Grounded in the Digital Transformation Guiding Principles from the American Organization for Nurse Leaders and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, this article examines how engaging nurse managers in the co-design and implementation of technologies can strengthen operational leadership, reduce burnout, and advance digital transformation through empowerment, trust, and alignment.