Over the past few years, especially since COVID, I’ve watched digital nursing completely transform the way we care for people and fertility services are right at the heart of that shift. What started as small steps during the pandemic, online consultations and digital tools to reduce clinic visits has now grown into something reshaping how we connect with patients and couples.

Digital nursing in fertility is about so much more than just using technology. It’s about bringing the care we provide into new spaces like a patient’s homes without losing the personal touch that makes nursing what it is. From telehealth systems and patient apps to wearable devices these platforms allow us to monitor treatment progress, manage medication schedules and deal with patients’ questions even when we're not physically with them.

For me, one of the biggest game-changers has been virtual treatment planning. Instead of waiting for in-person appointments, we can meet patients online, review results, discuss medication plans, and make adjustments in real-time. Not only does this save valuable time, but it also helps patients feel seen and supported throughout their entire journey. The connection does feel different but not less personal, just more flexible for patients and professionals.

Apps have also become a key part of everyday life and fertility is no different. Patients can track cycles, manage appointments, watch instructional injection teaching videos and message their nurse all in one convenient place within a few clicks. I’ve witnessed first-hand how empowering this can be, patients feel more in control, informed, and less anxious about the process. From my perspective, these tools make it easier to monitor progress and ensure timely intervention if a patient or partner needs extra support.

Even something as simple as digital consent forms has made a huge difference. No more worry about misplaced paperwork or endless scanning of documents. Patients can review everything at their own pace and electronically sign securely from home. It’s faster, clearer, and more convenient for everyone and it’s one less administrative task for nurses to try to juggle.

A UK study recently explored how one fertility clinic introduced a digital patient platform and moved their nursing team to a four-day workweek, finding that administrative time dropped by 40% and patients felt more in control (Van den Dikkenberg et al., 2025). This is incredibly reassuring and when digital tools are used thoughtfully, they can free us from repetitive administrative tasks, these tools give us the time to focus on what truly matters supporting patients and couples through one of the most emotional journeys of their lives.

Digital nursing is helping us create a new model of fertility care that’s continuous, flexible, and still deeply patient-centred, where care can extend far beyond the clinic walls. Looking ahead, I believe the future of fertility nursing will continue to blend technology with humanity in really exciting ways. The key for us as nurses will be to hold onto our compassion as we embrace innovation and always remember that behind every app, video call and data dashboard, there’s a patient or couple hoping for a family.

Reference

F Van den Dikkenberg, M Franchi, K Rankin, C Hancock, L Ryan, S Naci, T Popa, D Iliev, C Hickmann, P-516 Technology-driven fertility nursing: how digitalisation and a four-day workweek enhance efficiency, job satisfaction, and patient care in assisted reproductive technology, Human Reproduction, Volume 40, Issue Supplement_1, June 2025, deaf097.822, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deaf097.822