Nursing Informatics: Helping Solve Nursing Problems
Every specialty in nursing practice brings its own set of problems and solutions. Some problems are specific to certain fields of practice, while others are common to nursing as a whole. No matter your specialty, if you’re a practicing nurse then you’ve probably run into the following three problems at some time or another in your career. If you’re studying to become a nurse, you’ve likely heard these problems discussed in the classroom.
1. Too Busy to Focus on Patient Care
“I’d love to spend more time actually providing direct patient care,” says Rob, an RN with 6 years experience in a Rhode Island geriatric clinic. “The problem is that a lot of my time is taken up with busywork—documenting patient’s care, accessing files and transferring records to other clinics.” Robert is voicing a frustration many nurses encounter: one 2006 study showed that documenting care can take up to nearly 30% of a nurse’s time.
2. Limited Access to Evidence-Based Knowledge
Emily is a Connecticut-based nurse educator who specializes in cancer treatment research. “It’s extremely common for me to have to wait several weeks before receiving the results from individual treatment plans,” she says. “If I had immediate access to the effects of certain drugs on patients, I’d be able to…incorporate the knowledge into my lesson plans, helping the new generation of nurses to get out there with a full deck of cards, so to speak.”
3. Incomplete Understanding of Patient Health History
Electronic health records are supposed to be adopted across the board by 2014, but many clinics are still far away from this goal. Aaron, the director of an emergency clinic in rural Alabama, states that it’s not uncommon for out-of-town patients to be treated without full understanding of their medical history, including what medications they’re allergic to. “It’s obviously not ideal,” he admits, “but in an emergency situation it’s simply impossible to wait for a fax or a phone call.”
As you can imagine, these problems affect every branch of nursing. They add to nurses’ workloads, increase the probability of mistakes, and have a direct impact on the quality of patient care.
Nursing Informatics to the Rescue
The multi-disciplinary field of nursing informatics offers a solution to these three problems. Nursing informatics is a marriage of nursing science, computer science and information science, with the overarching goal of improving patient care. It integrates data, information and knowledge to help nurses make well-informed decisions in all circumstances.
Although a key imperative of nursing informatics is the construction and maintenance of systems that support the sharing of information, the importance goes far beyond the use of technology. Technology is pointless if it is misused or not taken advantage of. In addition to developing a technological framework for nursing communities across the nation, nursing informatics highlights the ongoing education and training of nurses in order to use technology appropriately.
Betty Nelson, PhD, RN, a registered nurse with more than 30 years experience as a clinician, administrator and educator, and an adjunct professor in Health Sciences and Nursing at American Sentinel University pointed out that Health Information Technology (Informatics) means different things to nurses depending on their role.
- Clinician: you are or will be documenting in an electronic record.
- Manager: you are or will be responsible to assure your staff’s accurate and timely documentation in an electronic record.
- Academic Educator: you are and will be facing curriculum redesign to assure student nurses are skilled in basic computer literacy and are oriented to your clinical site’s electronic records.
- Post-Academic Educator: you are or will be responsible for staff education EM/HR education programs and competencies.
- If your role relies on access to patient care data for analysis and trending, such as Quality Improvement Specialists, Case Managers, Risk Managers and Nurse Researchers, you do or will have a more efficient and functional data set available.
- Nurse Informaticist: you are and will be in demand.
Becoming an Informatics Nurse
Some of the important aptitudes an informatics nurse develops and uses include literacy, communication, research, and computer skills. If you are have little training in those areas, but are interested in helping to solve the problems mentioned above, don’t despair. These skills are highly teachable and adoptable. Many experienced nurses have returned to school to successfully master the skills needed to become an informatics nurse.
“I didn’t even know how to use email five years ago,” jokes Sandra, a project manager who recently received her degree in nursing informatics from an online program. “Now I work with a team of medical software developers to improve the way our hospital handles patient records. It’s nice to feel that I’m making a difference to health care in a ‘big picture’ kind of way.”
Nurse Informaticists are employed in hospitals and health systems, insurance companies, health information technology companies and consulting firms. Compensation can be quite high. Because this is a rapidly expanding field with widespread benefits, there is huge potential to blaze your own trail and make a real contribution to health care. Why not take the first step today?
Secure Your Future With A Nursing Informatics Degree
Get the education you need to begin a career in Nursing Informatics with confidence. Explore accredited online Nursing Informatics degree programs and request additional information about requirements, tuition, financial aid, and start dates directly from nursing schools offering programs that match your interests:
Explore Online Nursing Informatics Degree Programs
The College Network
Online
Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.
Programs:- LPN/LVN to RN - BS in Nursing - Indiana St. - (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
- Paramedic to RN
- LPN/LVN to RN - AS in Nursing (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- M.S. in Nursing
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
- BS in Nursing (RN Required)
- Oakland
- Elk Grove
- Roseville
- Fairfield
- Houston
- Sarasota
- Online
- Las Vegas
- Lathrop
- Plantation
- Westminster
- Troy
- Fresno
- Temple Terrace
- San Francisco
- Phoenix
- Tucson
- Murrieta
- Aurora
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Los Angeles
- Sugar Land
- Ontario
- Hollywood
- Livonia
- Fort Lauderdale
- Miami
- Henderson
- Hurst
- San Antonio
- Arlington
- St Louis Park
- Flint
- Maitland
- Killeen
- Clearwater
- Lancaster
- Irving
- Independence
- Woodland Hills
- Jacksonville
- Clinton Township
- Westlake
- Pasadena
- Bakersfield
- East Lansing
- Lone Tree
- Dallas
- Reston
- Diamond Bar
- Southfield
- Manassas
- Saint Paul
- Livermore
- Chandler
- Ann Arbor
- Daytona Beach
- Costa Mesa
- Nashville
- Gardena
- Tampa
- Spring
- Grand Rapids
- Beachwood
- Baton Rouge
- San Diego
- Salida
- Orlando
- San Jose
- Fairfax
- St. Louis
- Rancho Cordova
- Littleton
- Sacramento
- Mesa
- Saint Louis
- Portage
- Palm Desert
Keiser University
Campus
Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.
Programs:- Nursing, MS
- Medical Assisting, AS
- Fort Lauderdale
Keiser University Graduate School
Campus
Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.
Programs:- Nursing, MS (Online)
- Fort Lauderdale
CollegeAmerica
Campus
Finally, a college that delivers. CollegeAmerica is truly unique in that their curriculum is designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to prepare students for success.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration (Online)
- Phoenix
- Fort Collins
- Denver
- Flagstaff
- Cheyenne
- Colorado Springs
Carrington College California
Campus
Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.
Programs:- AS in Vocational Nursing
- Certificate in Vocational Nursing
- AS in Medical Assisting
- Antioch
- San Jose
- Pomona
- Stockton
- Sacramento
- Emeryville
- Pleasant Hill
- Citrus Heights
- San Leandro
Dover Business College
Campus
Launch a business, healthcare, or technology career with Dover Business College. Train with the most current technology programs at one of our two (Dover and Paramus, New Jersey) campuses.
Programs:- LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)
- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Clifton
- Dover
Stevens-Henager
Campus
For more than 119 years, Stevens-Henager College has worked to train generations of graduates for new careers. Stevens-Henager College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Our degree programs, designed to help graduates compete in the ever-evolving employment market, include Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Surgical Technology, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, Computer Science, and Graphic Arts*. Online programs are offered via Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray. Stevens-Henager College Idaho Falls is a branch campus of the CollegeAmerica, Flagstaff, AZ, main campus.
*Check each campus for program availability.
- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Nursing Education
- Master of Science in Nursing Administration
- Ogden
- Layton
- Boise
- Logan
- Saint George
- Lehi
- Nampa
- Idaho Falls
- Murray
- Orem
Sanford-Brown Institute
Campus
Get everything you need for the medical career you want. Sanford-Brown Institute's advanced programs allow you to complete your certificate or degree program in as little as 9 months. Learn more today.
Programs:- Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Assistant Specialist
- Melville
- Monroeville
- Austin
- Orlando
Keiser University Campus
Campus
Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.
Programs:- Nursing, BS (Online Only)
- Nursing, AS
- Nursing, MS (Online Only)
- Tampa
- Fort Myers
- Tallahassee
- Orlando
- Melbourne
- Fort Lauderdale
- Jacksonville
- Lakeland
- Port Saint Lucie
- Sarasota
- West Palm Beach
- Daytona Beach
- Hollywood
Charter College
Campus
Prepare for a better career and a brighter future with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. Our small class sizes and dedicated instructors ensure a personalized education experience. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find the job that's right for you after graduation.
Programs:- Vocational Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Canyon Country
- Vancouver
- Anchorage
- Lancaster
- Wasilla
- Oxnard
- Bellingham
Summit College
Campus
Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.
Programs:- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Colton
- Anaheim
Lincoln Technical Institute
Campus
Lincoln Technical Institute provides career-focused, hands-on training programs with industry experienced instructors. Get the skills for a rewarding in-demand career.
For more student consumer information, please visit www.lincolnedu.com/lincolnconsumerinfo
Programs:- Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Mount Laurel
- Hamden
- Shelton
- Paramus
- Edison
- Casselberry
- Somerville
- Saint Petersburg
- Brockton
- Lowell
- Philadelphia
- Allentown
- Lincoln
Harrison College
Campus
Get started on your career with an education from Harrison College. We offer more than 30 degree, certificate, and diploma programs in the fields of health sciences, veterinary technology, information technology, criminal justice, and business, in addition to our culinary arts academy.
Programs:- Nursing - Associate of Science
- Medical Assistant
- Fort Wayne
- Indianapolis
- Anderson
- Grove City
- Evansville
- Columbus
- Elkhart
- Lafayette
- Terre Haute
- Muncie
Medtech
Campus
Start your career with an education from Medtech. We offer programs in biotechnology, health care management, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, medical lab technology, and nursing, plus several short-term career courses.
Programs:- School of Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Fort Wayne
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