NR 512 Week 4 Informatics Skills

NR 512 Week 4 Informatics Skills

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-512: Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics

Prof. Name

Date

NR 512 Week 4 Informatics Skills

How do the informatics skills you are now developing/expanding upon and validating help you meet current informatics skills levels?

Informatics skills have become indispensable in contemporary nursing practice as they directly support clinical decision-making and enhance patient safety. Nurses today interact with both patients and technology continuously, making proficiency in informatics essential for effective communication, accurate documentation, and streamlined care coordination (Darvish, Keyhanian, Bahramnezhad, & Navedhamidi, 2014).

Through the development and validation of my informatics skills, I have gained a deeper understanding of how technology integrates into daily nursing practice. For example, I can now identify moments during my shifts where informatics applications play a critical role—something I previously overlooked. This enhanced awareness allows me to provide safer and more precise patient care. Beyond direct patient interactions, informatics also supports lifelong learning and professional development, such as accessing online educational resources, maintaining licensure, and using simulation tools for practicing emergency scenarios.

Despite these benefits, challenges persist when nurses are inadequately trained in emerging technologies or electronic health record systems. In high-pressure situations, such as managing a patient with a gastrointestinal bleed requiring rapid transfusion, proficiency in specialized equipment like rapid infuser devices is critical. Insufficient training can compromise patient safety, highlighting the necessity of ongoing informatics education.

Did the TANIC self-assessment change your impression of your current informatics skill levels?

Yes, completing the TANIC self-assessment significantly influenced my perception of my informatics competency. Initially, the assessment revealed several areas where my proficiency was lacking, leaving me feeling unprepared and somewhat overwhelmed by the range of informatics tasks required in practice.

Over time, however, I have come to view the assessment as an invaluable tool for establishing a baseline and identifying areas for improvement. It emphasized that informatics extends beyond basic computer literacy, encompassing the effective use of technology to enhance clinical judgment, streamline workflows, and safeguard patient outcomes. Through consistent practice and education, informatics skills—like any nursing competency—can be developed and refined gradually.

Table: Reflection on TANIC Self-Assessment Results

Reflection

Initially, I underestimated the value of nursing informatics, often believing I lacked a natural aptitude for technology. This course has expanded my perspective by illustrating the pervasive role of informatics in nursing practice—from electronic health record management to simulation-based training. The TANIC self-assessment provided a structured framework to pinpoint weaknesses and monitor progress, motivating me to continue developing my skills.

As practicing nurses, embracing informatics is essential for lifelong learning. Continuous competency development enables adaptation to new technologies, alignment with organizational standards, and—most importantly—the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care. Developing confidence in informatics not only strengthens clinical performance but also fosters professional growth and preparedness for future healthcare innovations.

References

Darvish, A., Keyhanian, S., Bahramnezhad, F., & Navedhamidi, M. (2014). The role of nursing informatics on promoting quality of health care and the need for appropriate education. Global Journal of Health Science, 6(6), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v6n6p11

McGonigle, D. (2015). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.