New managerial tools and technologies for nurses The purpose of this article is to review some of the managerial tools and technologies used by my nurse managers to promote managerial control and increase employee performance. The days of sitting at the nurses' station and handwriting documentation in patient records are long gone. Although it took longer to introduce computers into the world of patient care, computers have evolved to meet the complex needs of hospitals and other medical facilities (Saranto and Leino-Kilpi, 1997). Obviously improvements need to be made; however, I will review some of the electronic gadgets used today. The security of patient data has prevented the use of computers for purposes other than ordering supplies and scheduling employees in medical settings for several years (Sampers, 2013). In the late 1990s, computers began to replace patient records, paper records began to disappear, and nurses entered the electronic age kicking and screaming (Sampers, 2013). Desktop computers in the nurses' station area were initially slow and were only used to order lab tests and x-rays. Staff would have to wait their turn to use the computer, wasting valuable time. Today, in an effort to assist nurses with time management, decrease errors, and allow more time with patients, as well as allow nurse managers to better monitor and supervise staff, desktop computers have evolved (Saranto & Leino-Kilpi, 1997). Modern technology in medicine now includes the use of portable personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, and real-time locator systems, including nurse locators. This article will examine each of these technological advancements and how each contributes to managerial control and increases staff production. Personal digital assistant (PDA) Initially the use of the PDA was reserved for doctors to enable rapid