Information management competencies for practicing nurses and new graduates

Abstract

Nursing informatics skills are required at all levels of nursing practice. Of those basic skills, management of information through the electronic health record (EHR) is paramount. Previous research has explored computer literacy of nurses but has not investigated the competencies that relate specifically to information management. The purpose of this research study was to gather practicing nurses’ views of current information management competencies published by the Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform (TIGER) initiative, as they pertain to new graduates. A convenience sample of members from the InspireNet online user group was surveyed. The results suggest that overall, nurses tend to agree with the information management competencies; however, informatics education is most needed for those who have been practicing nursing for longer, rather than for novice nurses.

Informatics Competency Measurement Instruments for Nursing Students

“…Among specific constructs measured, basic or foundational level of computer skills and informatics knowledge was the sole common criterion across instruments, which is an important baseline competency assessment. Being able to use clinical informatics and ICT applications is core to NI abilities, 7,8 and this component was assessed in SANICS, K-SANICS, and C-NICAS but omitted in TANIC-T and KSANI, whereas information management skills, an equally major component of informatics proficiency, 11 was omitted in both KSANI and the original SANICS. The domain “professional and regulatory accountability,” which is central to ICT safety standards in healthcare as well as a critical aspect of nursing practice, 1 was only assessed in C-NICAS.…”

“…9,10 The requirement for IC in nurse education s now well accepted internationally. [11][12][13] Nursing students must be confident and comfortable using all types of digital technologies safely and effectively to deliver health and care. 14 Therefore, measurement of students' perceived IC is important as they prepare to transition from education to practice.…”

“…Informatics capabilities are critical in healthcare quality and integral to nursing practice 9,10 . The requirement for IC in nurse education s now well accepted internationally 11–13 . Nursing students must be confident and comfortable using all types of digital technologies safely and effectively to deliver health and care 14 .…”

Preparation of nursing students in nursing informatics competencies for future healthcare practice environment

“…Activities are rated from 1 to 4, representing novice (1), advanced beginner (2), comfortable (3), and pro cient (4) levels. The TANIC scale effectively assessed graduate-level nursing informatics competencies [17], and as this study is part of a doctoral multi-methods research study, only a minor addition was made to the instrument to provide contextualisation, by including year level of study.…”