Including information technology project management in the nursing informatics curriculum

Area of Science:

• Nursing Informatics
• Health IT Education
• Project Management

Background:

• Nurse informaticists play key roles in developing and implementing clinical information systems.
• Project management is identified as a critical skill for informaticists in professional competencies and surveys.
• Existing nursing informatics curricula may not adequately address project management training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of project management in nursing informatics.
• To describe the integration of project management into a master's level nursing informatics program.
• To demonstrate the benefits of project management training for students, preceptors, and institutions.

Main Methods:

• Curriculum analysis of a master's level nursing informatics minor.
• Description of project management content within two specific courses.
• Inclusion of systems analysis and project management skills training.
• Application of project management skills in precepted informatics projects during a capstone course.

Main Results:

• Project management is incorporated into two courses within the University of Pennsylvania's informatics minor.
• Students gain knowledge of project planning, requirements development, feasibility, and executive summaries.
• Students apply project management and systems development life cycle skills in practical, precepted projects.
• The educational approach benefits students, preceptors, and the institution by enhancing real-world preparedness.

Conclusions:

• Project management education is crucial for nurse informaticists.
• Integrating project management into nursing informatics curricula enhances practical skill development.
• Experiential learning through precepted projects effectively prepares students for professional roles in health informatics.