Overview
After completing the nursing informatics competency questionnaire, I would rate my overall informatics competency as moderate to high. I feel comfortable using computers and technology in my nursing practice. I use computers several times a day and spend more than two hours each shift using the hospital information system. Farzandipour et al. (2021) explain that nursing informatics competency includes basic computer skills, informatics knowledge, and informatics skills. These areas are important because nurses use technology every day to document care, find patient information, and protect private health information.
Two competencies I see as strengths are protecting patient privacy and using the electronic health record for patient care. I feel confident understanding the importance of confidentiality and privacy when documenting patient information. I also understand that nurses must follow ethical and legal rules when using computerized patient records. This is important because nurses deal with private patient information every shift, and mistakes can affect patient trust and safety. Another strength is using the hospital information system to collect, save, find, and share patient data. I feel comfortable using electronic nursing records, reviewing patient information, and charting assessments, interventions, notes, and discharge plans.
Two areas I need to improve are Excel skills and being involved in system improvement or design. I rated my Excel skills lower, and this is something I could work on. Excel can be helpful for tracking data, organizing information, and looking at quality improvement results. I also need to grow in understanding how nurses can help with choosing, testing, and improving electronic systems. I should understand how technology affects workflow, patient safety, and staff efficiency.
To improve these areas, my first strategy is to complete short Excel and data-management trainings. This would help me feel more comfortable using spreadsheets for audits, quality improvement, and patient care trends. My second strategy is to learn from super-users, informatics nurses, or quality improvement staff when changes are made to the EHR. This would help me better understand how systems are tested and improved. Booth et al. explained that the nursing “profession must consider its role, knowledge, and relationships with technologies” to stay relevant (2021, para. 30). Helpful resources would include hospital EHR training, informatics nurse support, online Excel training through school or work, and nursing informatics articles. Improving these skills will help me use technology better and support safer patient care.