An informatics competency model for undergraduate nursing students: A quasi-experimental study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Informatics
• Competency-Based Education

Background:

• Undergraduate nursing curricula often lack specialized informatics training, leading to a theory-practice gap.
• The Nursing Informatics Competency Organizational (NICO) model offers a framework for developing nursing informatics competencies.
• Existing programs focus on basic computer skills, not advanced informatics roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a NICO model-based course on nursing informatics competency in first-year undergraduate nursing students.
• To assess improvements in specific informatics skills and overall competency.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design compared a NICO-based intervention group (n=40) with a control group (n=40).
• The intervention focused on project management within nursing informatics, emphasizing user needs and experiential learning.
• Outcomes were measured via self-assessment scales, project evaluations, and student feedback.

Main Results:

• The NICO group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in nursing informatics competencies compared to the control group (P=0.007).
• Significant gains were noted in informatics roles, basic computer skills, and wireless device competencies (all P<0.05).
• High learner satisfaction (96.03/105) and successful project completion were reported.

Conclusions:

• A NICO-based, project-driven approach can effectively enhance specific nursing informatics competencies in undergraduate students.
• This educational strategy helps bridge the theory-practice gap and fosters high learner engagement.
• Findings offer practical guidance for curriculum development in nursing informatics education.