Integrating Experiential Informatics and Quality Improvement in Baccalaureate Education.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Informatics
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• Current nursing informatics education often lacks practical application, burdening clinical partners with bedside skills training.
• Prelicensure students typically receive theoretical knowledge of informatics, including terminology and system overviews.
• There is a need to integrate practical informatics skills into nursing curricula to meet evolving healthcare demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an innovative educational model for prelicensure nursing students focused on practical bedside informatics.
• To bridge the gap between theoretical informatics knowledge and its real-world application in clinical settings.
• To equip students with skills to utilize informatics for enhancing patient outcomes and safety.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a novel nursing informatics course.
• Students participated in simulated clinical practice councils.
• Students conducted chart audits to analyze informatics' role in quality improvement.
• Utilized practical bedside informatics tools and applications within the course.

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated an understanding of informatics' role in quality improvement through chart audits.
• Practical application of bedside informatics tools enhanced learning.
• The course effectively prepared students for real-world informatics expectations.
• Bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Conclusions:

• The innovative course model successfully integrated practical bedside informatics into nursing education.
• Students gained essential skills for improving patient outcomes and ensuring safe care environments.
• This approach alleviates the burden on clinical partners for bedside informatics training.
• Addresses the need for practical informatics competency in prelicensure nurses.