The topic of this post was on competency and self evaluation on nursing informatics:
POST:
(((TIGER-Based Assessment of Nursing Informatics Competencies (TANIC) self-assessment contains three categories of competencies: basic computer skills, information literacy, and clinical information management. BASICALLY a checklist on things for each of the 3 categories where i scored best in basic computer skills and not so great on the other two.)))
ASSIGNMENT
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POST 1:
While I have viewed my foundation for informatics to be broad, I have come to find out that my informatics language and the interchangeable terminology was not as broad. The informatics skills that I am expanding upon and validating have helped deepen my knowledge base and expand my informatics terminology bank in such a way that it will only help me to meet current informatics needs. My current skill level has area for improvement and with a deeper knowledge of the field will help me understand my current informatics manager and the need for support from myself and the clinical departments that I lead. The way that the healthcare world is evolving the numerous technological advances we are seeing in healthcare begs for more informatics knowledge from the nursing side. For those things to be successful, nursing will play an integral role in understanding the informatics side and being able to deliver healthcare in a technologically sound type of delivery. Due to this fast-paced evolution of technology in healthcare, to effectively take advantage of information technology and tie it to the things so important to nursing such as outcomes and quality of healthcare, we must empower nurse through education that is targeted short-term and long-term specialized courses (Darvish, Bahramnezhad, Keyhanian, & Navidhamidi, 2014).
Informatics self-assessments were created to prepare the clinical workforce and assure they were capable of using information technology and informatics to improve the delivery of care to a clientele in which they serve (Hunter, McGonigle, & Hebda, 2013). The TANIC self-assessment helped to open my eyes to the fact that I have much area for growth when it comes to nursing informatics and the skills necessary to master a complete understanding of the field. History has proven the importance of nursing informatics and shows that nurses should be able to deal with it successfully to improve quality of care outcomes (Darvish, Bahramnezhad, Keyhanian, & Navidhamidi, 2014). I do believe that the self-assessment has helped change my impression of my skill level because informatics goes much deeper than I once thought. As nurses, we are accustomed to gathering and interpreting data but now we do it in a different type of way and technology and informatics play a big role in that. I hope that as this course continues to aide in the development of the necessary skills needed to collaborate, lead, and promote the outcomes we desire for the organizations in which we work and the communities in which we serve.
POST 2:
In the previous weeks many concepts and skills have been practiced to help better understand informatics. The use of technology in the online database search engine, the virtual learning environment, and the concepts learned have all helped me in developing informatics skills. The principles of informatics: information, data, knowledge, and wisdom, have helped me understand the process of taking data and wisdom to make the best decisions for patient care (McGonigle, Hunter, Sipes, & Hebda, 2014). Knowing how and where to retrieve accurate information is a key component of administering quality patient care. It is important as nurses to understand how to use health information technologies, medication administration systems, and know how to access online resources. In the previous weeks, I have used the computer to manage files, search the web, and communicate with peers in weekly discussions. Communicating electronically in weekly discussions has helped improve my communication skills. Which is an important component of informatics. I have also improved my computer literacy skills. All of these skills have helped me improve my performance in every day practice. A huge responsibility in my daily nursing practice is to have an understanding on the proper use of the computer and documentation system. By continuing to practice these skills, the use of technology becomes easier. In today’s world full of data, it is important to develop informatics competencies in order to ensure safe and efficient care (McGonigle et al., 2014).
The TANIC self-assessment definitely changed my impression of my current informatics skill level. It made me realize that I do have a basic level of knowledge, but also have a whole lot to improve and learn. Some of the questions ask about competency in basic computer literacy. Many of which I have improved as the class has progressed. The online resources in weekly assignments have also helped me improve my information literacy skills. Healthcare professionals are knowledge workers who use information, technology, and nursing to provide the best care possible.
