The nurse engineer: a way to better nursing information systems

Currently, there are few significant nursing information systems that can meet the basic needs of nursing (Zielstorff, McHugh, & Clinton, 1988). Some factors that may relate to this problem include the amount of nurse input, the effectiveness of communications between nurses and engineers, and the state of nursing practice. One method that may address this problem is to involve nurse engineers, nurses with technical degrees, in the development process. As a key member of the development team, the nurse engineer can encourage intensive use of nurse input, function as a translator and clarifier, thereby reducing communication problems, and assist the development team to analyze the diversity in nursing practice. Using nurse engineers in the development process may result in better nursing information systems.