Informatics Skills

Informatics Skills

            Informatics Skills I do not consider myself as a beginner IN because I have mastered all the activities that the beginner nurse should be able to perform. However, although I have passed the beginner level, I am yet to become an expert in all the informatics competencies that an experienced IN should possess. Developing the skills that I am currently competent or proficient in will enable me to become an expert in all the relevant areas and prepare me to transition to the specialist IN level. According to McGonigle and Mastrian (2017), an experienced IN should be an expert in computer technology and information management. The nurse should be able to apply the skills related to the two areas to various aspects of her specialty. Furthermore, she should be able to generate trends from data and use the information to develop evidence-based decisions.

            The TANIC self-assessment changed my impression of the current informatics skills level. Previously, I assumed that I was at least proficient in all the activities listed in the three domains of the TANIC assessment. However, the self-assessment results indicate that I have a lot to improve, especially in the area of information literacy. For example, I cannot sufficiently identify and describe the appropriate methods for interacting with search engines and database interfaces. The TANIC results show that I am only competent in the identified area. Furthermore, I realized that I was only competent in matters relating to information privacy and security and the ability to gather data and incorporate the generated information into my practice area. On the contrary, I am surprised that I can explain clearly the strategies for sustaining the integrity of healthcare information systems and resources.

References

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge.             Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.