Ambient listening technology helps bolster existing nurse workflows. Here’s how. The AONL 2026 conference wrapped up last week after four days of brainstorming, idea sharing, and lovely Chicago weather. This year, sustainability was front and center as nurse leaders discussed new strategies for building workforce pipelines, staffing for longevity, and incorporating financial literacy into core competencies. The conversations included technology, but as a way to bolster workflows, rather than as a core strategy. One technology in particular shined above the others: ambient listening. In a breakout session, Karen Mahnke, Laurie Boettcher, Chad Carroll, and Sarah Richmond from Northwestern Medicine presented findings on their ambient listening strategy, and detailed three key areas. Engaged leaders, engaged nurses According to Mahnke, Bernthal Family chief nurse executive and VP of operations, it’s important to engage nurses early on and throughout the process of implementing ambient listening technology because it yields better system design, higher usability, and fewer workflow barriers. Nurse involvement also means documentation that realistically works for nurses on a daily basis, and improved patient safety and time spent on care delivery. Mahnke explained that nurse leaders have a responsibility to actively engage in the implementation process by reviewing key metrics and milestones, and escalating when barriers arrive. CNOs should listen to feedback from their teams and celebrate progress and wins when they occur. They must also lead by example and normalize the adjustment, trial and error, and adoption periods during the implementation process. This will create a safe space for innovation, according to Mahnke.…
