Computerized approaches to teaching nurse practitioner students

Personal computer in clinical and educational environments have proliferated and offer users new opportunities for individualized learning. Computerized patient management problems are an innovative resource for the teaching clinical content and problem-solving skills. This article describes two computerized applications and highlights one such personal computer program, NP Clinic, which was designed for use with pediatric and family nurse practitioner students. NP Clinic software is also suitable for providing continuing education to nurses in primary care settings. A discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of computer-assisted instruction is included along with ideas for effective implementation of this learning strategy.