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NURSING INFORMATICS Module 1 SEMESTER ONE | |LEARNING ACTIVITIES | | | |Health 1 | |Electronic Literature Search | |Professional Growth 1 | |Nursing Informatics as Competency | |Self and Others 1 | |Reverie Journaling & Blogging | |Nursing Practice 1 | |Computers in Nursing Practice | 1. A Health 1 – Health Styles Electronic Literature Search Overview “Information is Power. ” – M. Orsolits, C. Davis & M. Gross, 1988, p. 108.
The use of computers can encourage the rehearsal and development of higher-order thinking skills such as synthesis, algorithmic thinking, intuition, creativity, and “free-flow” thought. With the help of a computer, the same data or information can be easily clustered or cut in quite different ways to help the user to view the same problem or topic from quite different angles, and to synthesize “meta-knowledge,” (Toffler, 1990). A good way to begin to use computers in education is to conduct electronic literature searches. An electronic literature search is a process in which an individual identifies in specific terms what information is needed, chooses the computer database most likely to contain it, accesses the database and retrieves the literature sources related to the topic of focus, (Kilby & McAlindon, 1992).
Post-secondary students and health professionals can quickly access information using an electronic literature search. Once the rudimentary process is mastered, nurses can have current information immediately available to facilitate professional nursing practice, education, research, and administration. Ends in View This learning activity is intended to give the learner the opportunity to: a) gain awareness of the process of engaging in an electronic literature search. b) appreciate the significance of having access to current on-line data and information. c) engage in the process of conducting electronic literature searches. In Preparation 1. Read: Alpha Plus Centre (2004).
Tips for Conducting Literature Searches, Ottawa: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada at http://alphaplus. ca/pdfs/litsrch. pdf 2. Recall: the computer instruction given by your Library Guide during your Library orientation. 3. Practice: accessing the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Library website at: (click on web address) http://www. kwantlen. ca/library/ 4. Access: the Subject Guides by going to: http://www. kwantlen. ca/library/internet/internetmain. html 5. Go further and look at the Subject Guide for Nursing and Allied Health Professionals at: http://www. kwantlen. ca/library/internet/nursing. html In Practice |”Electronic databases allow users to conduct comprehensive literature earches over a shorter period of time | |than could be accomplished via a manual approach. More than 200 universities and public libraries offer on-line| |databases for review. The primary databases for searching nursing and health care literature are the Cumulative| |Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Medline. Both the CD-ROM and online versions of | |CINAHL and Medline allow you to enter search subjects and then narrow the search by language, journal subset, | |and publication year,” – (Mascara, Czar & Hebda, 1999, p. 42). | 1. Choose a topic related to the concepts studied in Health 1 that has personal meaning to YOUR health, interests and well-being. 2.
Conduct an electronic literature search using one of the following database directories: a) CINAHL at: http://www. kwantlen. ca/library/articles/db-cinahl. html b) ACADEMIC SEARCH PREMIER at: http://www. kwantlen. ca/library/articles/db-asp. html c) PUBMED at:http://www. pubmedcentral. nih. gov/ 3. Print out a minimum of five literature citations related to your chosen topic. 4. Access one of these citations, either by finding it in a book or journal in the library, or a resource accessible online. In Reflection 1. How useful were the citations you gathered during your electronic literature search? 2. How will using electronic literature searches facilitate your: a) scholarly work? b) Nursing work? ) personal self-development? 3. Would owning a personal computer benefit your studies and future practice? Why? References Mascara, C. , Czar, P. & Hebda, T. (1999). Internet resource guide for nurses and allied health care professionals. Menlo Park, CA: Addison-Wesley, p. 41-44. Orsolits, M. , Davis, C & Gross, M. (1988). Nursing informatics and the future: The 21st century. In Ball, M. , Hannah, K. , Gerdin-Jelger, U. & Peterson, H. (eds. ) Nursing informatics: Where caring and technology meet. New York: Springer-Verlag, p. 289-300. Toffler, A. (1990). Powershift. New York: Bantam. 1. B Professional Growth 1 Nursing Informatics as Competency Overview Nursing Informatics (NI) is the application of computer science and information science to nursing. NI promotes the generation, management and processing of relevant data in order to use information and develop knowledge that supports nursing in all practice domains. ” – M. Hebert, National Nursing Informatics Project (1999) Across the globe, nursing leaders and educators have recognized the need for all nurses to participate in Nursing Informatics. Nurses need to develop the know-how to use information and communications technologies in the collection of data, use of information and generation of knowledge to support nursing practice. “Nurses, in all domains of practice and at ll levels, must be “technology literate” to be able to participate in decision making and evaluation of these systems – systems that should support them in information management, knowledge development and evaluation of new ways of practicing…. Evidence-based practice in all practice domains requires competencies in informatics. ” (Hebert, 1999). The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) must developed a working group to examine nursing education needs in informatics for all Philippine nursing students and practicing nurses, educators, managers and researchers. The intent is to develop a national strategy for addressing nursing informatics education. This Working Group had the goals to: ??? establish a national definition of Nursing Informatics ??? propose core competencies for Filipino nurses identify Nursing Informatics education opportunities currently available to nurses; and determine Nursing Informatics education priorities Ends in View This learning activity is intended to give the learner the opportunity to: a) reflect on how nursing informatics will impact their nursing education and future nursing practice. b) encourage participation in nursing informatics learning activities throughout the nursing program. c) acknowledge the importance of developing nursing informatic knowledge, theory and practical skills. d) recognize the need to develop competency in nursing informatics theory and practice. In Preparation 1. READ: Hebert, M. (1999). National Nursing Informatics Project Discussion Paper Ottawa: CNA 2. READ: CNA. (2001).
What is Nursing Informatics and why is it so important? Canadian Nurses Association Bulletin: Nursing Now, Number 11, September. 3. BROWSE: CNIA. (2003). Educating Tomorrow’s Nurses: Where is Nursing Informatics?. Available online at http://www. cnia. ca/OHIHfinaltoc. htm In Practice 1. Reflect on how initiatives regarding Nursing Informatics impact on your education and preparation for becoming a practicing registered nurse in the Philippines? 2. Create a personal strategy plan for incorporating the information in the CNA Discussion Paper into your nursing education and future practice. 3. In a group setting, discuss the impact of technology and informatics on society at large.
How can nurses help their clients to utilize technology in a safe and empowering fashion? In Reflection 1. Examine your own feelings about developing competency in nursing informatics. 2. What issues come to mind when you reflect on the need for all Filipino nurses to become cognizant and skilled in nursing informatics? 3. How will nursing education change as nursing informatics becomes a strong foci for nursing curriculum? References Canadian Nursing Informatics Association. (2002). Mission Statement. Online: http://www. cnia. ca Canadian Nursing Informatics Association. (2003) Educating Tomorrow’s Nurses: Where is Nursing Informatics?. Online: http://www. cnia. ca/OHIHfinaltoc. htm CNA. (2001).
What is Nursing Informatics and why is it so important? Canadian Nurses Association Bulletin: Nursing Now, Number 11, September. Herbert, C. (1999). Nurses and Informatics. National Nursing Informatics Project Discussion Paper Ottawa: Canadian Nurses Association. 1. C Self & Others 1 Reverie Journaling & Blogging Overview “Writing journals bridges the inner and outer worlds and connects the paths of action and reflection. ” – C. Baldwin, 1990, p. 9 Since ancient times, the journal has been recognized as a versatile tool for inner exploration. Journal writing has a natural, regular rhythm to it that helps the writer order their perceptions, insights, and experiences into meaningful patterns.
Self and Others 1 focuses on your personal discovery of your self and your self with others. Journaling can be used to articulate your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in your process of self-discovery. Reverie or “free-flow” journaling is a useful style of writing when exploring inner processes. Using a familiar word processing program on a computer allows you to write without initial concern for format or structure. Once your writing is expressed, edit features of the program can be used to easily polish your rough work into clear and synthesized journal entries. Ends in View This learning activity is intended to give the learner the opportunity to: 1.
Use a computer to freely explore and express personal beliefs, values, feelings and insights about themselves and their self with others. 2. Document their process of self-exploration and personal evolution using a computer. 3. Examine their self in relation to different points of view, personal meaning, biases, hegemony, gender, and culture. In Preparation 1. If you need tutoring in using a Word Processing program, access the online tutorial at the Microsoft Education site for Word 2000 . Or go to the Tutorials by Florida Gulf Coast University for an easy to follow Word Tutorial. 2. Access a word-processing program that “feels right” to you. Word 2000 or 2003 are the most common programs on campus. You may also like WordPerfect or the latest version of Works.
Familiarize yourself with the program’s functions, as your need requires. Several programs are available on the campus computers in the Learning Resource Center, or the Computer Labs (Bldg G and in the library). 3. Visit Willa. com at: http://www. willa. com to view a sample daily online journal. 4. Browse: Blogger. com at: http://www. blogger. com/. Blogging is a new phenomenon in cyberspace, affording people an easy to use place to journal and share their thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints with the rest of global community. 5. READ: Phipps, J. (2005). E-Journaling: Achieving Interactive Education Online Educause Quarterly. 28 (1). In Practice
Engage in the practice of “Reverie Journaling” using the word-processing program of your choice OR initiate your own Blog site to practice the journaling process in an online environment. Directions: Sit comfortably at your computer. If possible, create an aesthetic and relaxing environment for yourself (pleasant music, flowers, soft lighting, incense or aromatherapy, comfortable chair). Allow your mind, emotions and body to relax. Take a few deep cleansing breaths as you allow your hands to rest comfortably in your lap. Tune into the moment. When ready, begin to type. Explore whatever topics come to mind in relation to your own inner growth and your way of being in the world.
Allow your thoughts and feelings to flow, emerging as personal printed words of self-discovery and inner truth. Continue the experience until you sense that you have completed your expression for now. Read over your work, and polish it using the format, edit, and spellcheck functions of the program. Review your edited work. Notice the themes and patters that emerge. You may wish to reorganize your work using block, cut, and paste functions to better highlight the inherent content patterns. Be creative! When you are satisfied, save your entry to the hard drive or a floppy disk and print out a copy of your reverie. Engage in this activity on a regular basis to create a personal electronic journal of your self discovery journey.
Variation A: Focused Work Again, settle yourself at the computer. Allow your thoughts to flow, but this time in a more focused way. Select a creative idea you want to explore… or a decision you need to make,.. or a problem you want to solve, etc. Spend about 15 to 20 minutes typing all the thoughts, feelings, flashes, blocks, anything that comes to mind related to your focus topic. Let the information flow with abandon. When done, again format and edit your work. Block and group your ideas into themes and patterns. Add subheadings to further organize your creative ideas and solutions. What new ideas come up as you edit your work? Add these to your text.
Finally, save your work onto the hard drive and/or a floppy disk. Print out a copy of your creation. You will likely end up with a preliminary plan for action to help you to create, make a decision, or solve a problem. Again, you may wish to keep an electronic journal of your creative insights, decisions, and problem-solving. Variation B: Try an Electronic Paint Brush. You may wish to express your thoughts, creative urges, and inner processes in a graphical way. Access a drawing or graphics program (Paint Brush is available in any version of Windows, on all campus computers). Again, sit quietly at the computer and let your imagination and expressiveness flow with abandon.
Create a diagram, a painting, a conceptual model, a symbol, a personal shield, logo or emblem, or whatever you fancy to represent your inner experience of yourself in this present moment. Experience the exquisiteness of yourself and of this moment. Let your creation mirror your present inner experience. This could manifest as a bold, angular catharsis or a finely-executed, pixel based statement of meticulousness. Again, let the creative juices flow. You can save your work at any time, if you have chosen to create a time-consuming masterpiece. When done, remember to save your creation and print out a copy. You can accumulate a portfolio of your self exploratory artwork if practiced over time. In Reflection 1. How does creating an electronic journal compare with scribing a journal on paper? 2.
Were you able to relax with your chosen wordprocessing program enough to fully engage in the reverie exercise? If not, how can you foster your computer literacy in wordprocessing? References Anderson, S. (1992). Computer literacy for health care professionals. New York: Delmar, p. 37 – 49. Baldwin, C. (1990). Life’s companion: Journal writing as a spiritual quest. New York: Bantam. Emden, C. (1992). Becoming a reflective practitioner. In Gray, G. & Pratt, R. (eds. ) Towards a discipline of nursing. New York: Churchill. p. 335-354. Heinrich, K. (1992). The intimate dialogue: Journal writing by students. Nurse Educator, 17 (6), 17-27. Microsoft Education (2000).
In and Out of the Classroom: Microsoft Word 2000. Online. http://www. microsoft. com/education/? ID=O2kTutorial Florida Gulf Coast University (2000). Word Tutorial. Online. http://www. fgcu. edu/support/office2000/word/index. html 1. D Nursing Practice 1 Computers in Nursing Practice Overview “Information technology is a break-through tool, it enables us to explore and better understand the informational and cognitive foundations of nursing. ” – Heller, Romano, Damrosch & McCarthy, 1988, p. 332 Nursing practice is an information intensive process which is founded on a body of knowledge, dependent on expert skill in acquiring and using information.
Technical advances have influenced all sectors of modern society, extending to health care. Health professionals, including nurses, must meet the challenges of the changing health care delivery system by becoming computer literate. Besides knowing how to operate a computer to perform professional tasks, nurses need to be aware of the social and ethical impact of the use of computer technology. Powerful, portable personal computers enable nurses to manage information at a client’s hospital bedside, in the client’s home, and in various community settings. More and more, computerized nursing information systems are being used to support nursing practice, education, research and administration. Ends in View
This learning activity is intended to give the learner the opportunity to: a) recognize how computer technology can enhance nursing practice, education, administration and research. b) develop inquiry, critical thinking, and self-reflection skills in relation to using computer technology in nursing. c) acknowledge the utility of computers as enabling tools for students and nurses. d) investigate how computers are presently used by nurses working in a variety of health care settings. In Preparation 1. Browse: Thede, L. Q. (2003). Computers in Nursing: Bridges to the Future. http://dlthede. net/Informatics/Informatics. htm 2. Read:Newbold, S. (2002).
Nursing Informatics Frequently Asked Questions 3. Assess: Your own level of comfort with working with computers and other technologies. . In Practice 1. Complete the P. A. T. C. H. Self-assessment tool for Cyberphobia and the Personal Learning Plan for developing informatics Competencies. 2. Observe what kind of computer equipment is used within the work setting as you make your observations. What functions are they used for? If there are no computers in the work place, find out if any are planned in the near future. If possible, ask to view a sample of the documentation produced on a computer within the Nurses’ workplace. Share your observations in class. 3.
Briefly interview a faculty member about how they use computers in their work. In Reflection 1. Examine your own feelings and preparedness for using computers in your Nursing work. 2. Reflect on your own level of computer literacy. What do you need to know, be, and do to become a proficient computer user? 3. Cyberphobia is a term used to describe symptoms of anxiety and dread related to using computers and technology. Do you recognize any personal feelings of cyberphobia? If so, what can you do to work through these feelings? References Thede, L. Q. (2003). Computers in Nursing: Bridges to the Future. Online: http://dlthede. net/Informatics/Informatics. htm Newbold, S. (2002). Nursing Informatics FAQ