Informatics Competencies
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
· American Nurses Association. (2015).
Nursing informaticsLinks to an external site.
: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.).
· “Informatics Competencies: Spanning Careers and Roles” (pp. 41–47)
· “Standard 1-6” (pp. 68-78)
· “Standard 12” (pp. 87-88)
· Bivona-Tellez, C. M., Hebda, T., Newbold, S. K., VanderKooi, M., Tietze, M., Rivard, M., Clarke, M., & Pordeli, L. (2024).
Informatics competency assessment of nursing faculty: Progress and plansLinks to an external site..
CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing,
42(8), 555–556.
· Farzandipour, M., Mohamadian, H., Akbari, H., Safari, S., & Sharif, R. (2021).
Designing a national model for assessment of nursing informatics competencyLinks to an external site..
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making ,
21 (1), 1–12.
· Reid, L., Button, D., Breaden, K., & Brommeyer, M. (2024).
Nursing informatics: Competency challenges for nursing facultyLinks to an external site..
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics,
310, 1196–1200.
· American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021).
The essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education Links to an external site.
.
· Domain 5, “Quality and Safety” (pp. 11)
· Domain 7, “Systems-Based Practice” (pp. 11)
· Domain 8: “Informatics and Healthcare Technologies” (pp. 11)
· “Advanced-Level Practicum Experiences” (p. 22)
· Advanced Level Competencies: Domain 5: “Quality and Safety” (pp. 39–41)
· Advanced Level Competencies: Domain 7: “Systems-Based Practice” (pp.
44–45)
· Advanced Level Competencies: Domain 8: “Informatics and Healthcare Technologies” (pp. 46–48)
· Kleib, M., Chauvette, A., Furlong, K., Nagle, L., Slater, L., & McCloskey, R. (2021).
Approaches for defining and assessing nursing informatics competencies: A scoping reviewLinks to an external site..
JBI Evidence Synthesis, 19 (4), 794–841. doi:10.11124/JBIES-20-00100
To Prepare
· Review the resources provided in the Nursing Informatics Competencies.
By Day 3 of Week 10
Post a cohesive response to the following:
· Consider all that you already knew and what you have learned in this class. What are the key informatics competencies that you feel every nurse should possess? How can those competencies impact improvements in healthcare outcomes in your organization?
By Day 6 of Week 10
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and
respond to
at least two of your colleagues on
two different days by expanding upon their responses or sharing additional or alternative perspectives.
Charline B
Informatics Competencies
Informatics competencies are increasingly essential for nurses, given the pivotal role that technology plays in enhancing patient care and improving healthcare outcomes. Based on prior knowledge and the learning acquired through this course, several key informatics competencies stand out as critical for every nurse to possess.
First and foremost, basic computer and digital literacy is fundamental. Nurses must be proficient in using electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support tools, and digital communication systems to document care accurately and access real-time patient data. The American Nurses Association (2015) emphasizes that proficiency in documentation, data interpretation, and system navigation is necessary for delivering safe and effective care (Standards 1–6).
Second, data management and interpretation skills are crucial. Nurses must be able to collect, analyze, and apply data to inform clinical decision-making and identify trends that support evidence-based practice. Farzandipour et al. (2021) highlight that informatics competency enables nurses to play a critical role in quality improvement by using data to assess patient outcomes and implement changes that enhance care delivery.
Third, information and system security awareness is essential to safeguard patient confidentiality and maintain compliance with legal and ethical standards. This includes understanding data privacy regulations, recognizing potential cybersecurity threats, and practicing safe data handling procedures. As Reid et al. (2024) note, competency in data security helps ensure that digital tools do not compromise patient trust or safety.
When these competencies are effectively integrated into nursing practice, they lead to several organizational benefits. For instance, improved data accuracy and accessibility can reduce medication errors, enhance communication among care teams, and support continuity of care. Additionally, nurses who are informatics-competent can contribute to better resource allocation and workflow optimization, ultimately driving improved patient outcomes.
As Bivona-Tellez et al. (2024) suggest, consistent informatics training and competency assessments are vital in ensuring nurses are prepared to meet the evolving demands of digital healthcare environments. Supporting these competencies at both individual and organizational levels can transform care delivery and position nursing as a leader in health innovation.
References
American Nurses Association. (2015).
Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association.
Bivona-Tellez, C. M., Hebda, T., Newbold, S. K., VanderKooi, M., Tietze, M., Rivard, M., Clarke, M., & Pordeli, L. (2024). Informatics competency assessment of nursing faculty: Progress and plans.
CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 42(8), 555–556.
Links to an external site.
Farzandipour, M., Mohamadian, H., Akbari, H., Safari, S., & Sharif, R. (2021). Designing a national model for assessment of nursing informatics competency.
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 21(1), 1–12.
Links to an external site.
Reid, L., Button, D., Breaden, K., & Brommeyer, M. (2024). Nursing informatics: Competency challenges for nursing faculty.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 310, 1196–1200.
Links to an external site.
