Abstract
Introduction
Digital health is increasingly central to healthcare delivery, requiring nurses to be competent in the use of digital technologies that support safe, effective, and person-centred care. The 2026 Digital Health Guidelines for Nurses Entering Practice in Aotearoa New Zealand update the 2018 informatics guidelines to align with advances in digital health, changing healthcare needs, and revised Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) Standards of Competence for Registered Nurses. The guidelines aim to define the knowledge, skills, and behaviours expected of nursing graduates entering practice and support the integration of digital health capabilities across undergraduate nursing programmes.
Methods
The guidelines were informed by a review of national and international nursing informatics and digital health frameworks, including competency standards from Canada, Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Contemporary literature and policy documents, including New Zealand’s 2025 Digital Health Investment Plan and the NCNZ 2025 Standards of Competence for Registered Nurses, were analysed to identify current expectations for digital health practice. Key concepts were synthesised to develop a competency framework relevant to the Aotearoa New Zealand healthcare context. An advisory group drawing expertise from throughout Aotearoa New Zealand was consulted on multiple iterations of the guidelines.
Results
The updated guidelines introduce four core principles: Professional Digital Practice; Integration of Digital Health into Patient Care Delivery; Quality Digital Health; and Digital Capability. These principles are mapped to the NCNZ Standards of Competence and emphasise accountability, patient and whānau-centred care, digital communication, data stewardship, evidence-informed practice, cultural safety, and leadership within digitally enabled healthcare environments.
Discussion
The revised guidelines position digital health as an integrated component of nursing practice rather than a standalone competency. By aligning educational expectations with contemporary healthcare priorities and regulatory standards, the framework supports the preparation of nurses who can practise safely, ethically, and effectively in increasingly digital health systems. These guidelines provide a practical resource for curriculum development, capability assessment, and ongoing professional development across the nursing workforce.