Information science for the future: an innovative nursing informatics curriculum

Area of Science:

• Nursing Informatics
• Health Information Management

Background:

• Healthcare is increasingly information-driven, necessitating effective information management.
• Nursing informatics is crucial for enhancing clinical care and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, implement, and evaluate an innovative nursing informatics curriculum.
• To prepare baccalaureate nursing graduates to utilize information technology for better patient care processes.
• To address the challenge of evolving nursing informatics curricula for healthcare delivery.

Main Methods:

• Development of an integrated curriculum framework based on information, technology, and clinical care processes.
• Implementation of a four-course sequence within a baccalaureate nursing program.
• Evaluation of the curriculum's effectiveness with two student groups.

Main Results:

• The integrated curriculum effectively familiarizes students with nursing informatics concepts.
• Students demonstrated increased critical thinking regarding the application of informatics in practice.
• The curriculum provides a foundation for affecting health care delivery through informatics.

Conclusions:

• The innovative nursing informatics curriculum is effective in preparing future nurses.
• Graduates are better equipped to leverage information technology for enhanced patient care.
• The curriculum serves as a model for evolving nursing education in the digital age.