Competency in Nursing Infomatics

          I took seven years of Spanish language classes through high school and college, and then married a man that was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary.  If you are not familiar with the Hungarian language, I can assure you it is nothing like English or Spanish.  After several years of exposure, I remember one day sitting at the dining room table with his family, listening to them speak in Hungarian, suddenly realizing how much I could decipher from their conversation.    

            Beginning my graduate nursing informatics course reminded me of listening to Hungarian the first several years.  In the beginning of the course there was terminology and technology I was familiar with, but overall, I was lacking competency and confidence.  After several weeks of experimenting with technologically-enhanced teaching strategies and exploring information systems, my competency and confidence has grown.

            June Kaminski, RN, MSN, PhD, discusses competency in healthcare technology on her Nursing Informatics Learning Center website.  Kaminski breaks down competency level into User Level, Modifier Level, and Innovator Level.  The User level of competency is a nurse who is competent in the core nursing informatics skills, and is considered the minimum level of competency for all practicing nurses (Kaminski, 2016).  The Modifier demonstrates intermediate competency level.  Among many other competencies, this nurse applies technology in accessing evidence-based practice from multiple sources, uses technology to support decision making, has an understanding of computer systems and programs in relation to practice, and participates in leadership and education practices in regards to nursing informatics (Kaminski, 2016).  Finally, the Innovator is the nurse that demonstrates advanced and specialized competency level in nursing informatics.  This nurse participates in the design and development of information systems, applications for nursing practice, utilizes data sets for quality improvement, designs new nursing technologies, and so much more.  The Innovator may have advanced, specialized training in nursing informatics (Kaminski, 2016).

Using Nursing Informatics in Education and Leadership

            My role as a hospital nurse educator has helped to place me firmly in the Modifier level.  As I progress through graduate school and increase my responsibilities in nursing leadership, the more Innovator level competencies I am able to demonstrate.

            After fifteen years of marriage, I am far from fluent in Hungarian.  I do have a level of proficiency, however, that allows me to engage in polite conversation, order in a restaurant, and navigate the city.  Likewise, I am far from fluent in nursing informatics.  Will I ever reach the complete Innovator Level of competency?  I suppose, potentially.  As I have dedicated myself to lifelong learning in nursing, so will I continue to acquire knowledge and skills specific to nursing informatics. 

A legközelebbi kalandomig, 

(Until my next adventure),

Crystal

Reference

Kaminski, J. (2016). Nursing informatics competencies. Nursing Informatics Learning Center. Retrieved from http://nursing-informatics.com/niassess/plan.html