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Technical Competencies

Technical competencies are related to the actual psychomotor use of computers and other technological equipment. Specific nursing informatics competencies include the ability to use selected applications in a comfortable and knowledgeable way. It is important that nurses feel confident in their use of computers and software in the practice setting, especially at the bedside, in order to be able to attend to the client at the same time.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

All three levels of competencies - users, modifiers and innovators need to develop a working knowledge of the following computer programs and processes:

1. Word processing
2. Keyboarding
3. Spreadsheets
4. Presentation Graphics
5. Databases (simple to complex)
6. Desktop Publishing
7. World Wide Web
8. E-mail programs
9. Expert data systems
10. Multimedia
11. Telecommunication devices
12. Nursing information systems
13. Hospital information systems
14. Periphereals (printers, CD-ROMS, DVD)

User level technical competencies include:

1. uses word processing applications
2. demonstrates keyboarding skills
3. uses spreadsheet applications
4. uses telecommunication devices to communicate with other systems
5. uses e-mail systems to communicate with other health care professionals
6. uses presentation applications to create slides, displays, overheads
   (PowerPoint, Corel Presentation, etc.)
7. uses multimedia presentations
8. uses internet resources to locate client support groups, online resources
9. uses sources of data that relate to nursing practice and care
10. accesses, enters and retrieves data related to client care via available hospital or nursing information systems
11. uses database management programs to develop and access databases and tables
12. uses database applications to enter and retrieve data and information
13. conducts online and database literature searches
14. uses decision support systems, expert systems and other aids for clinical decision making and care planning
15. uses computer applications to document client care
16. uses computer applications to plan client care, including discharge planning
17. uses computer applications to enter client data (demographic, vital signs, physiological data)
18. uses information management systems for client education
19. uses technology based client monitoring systems
20. operates periphereal devices (bedside and hand held)
21. uses operating systems
22. uses computer periphereal devices (CD ROMs, DVD, zip drives)
23. uses computer technology safely
24. navigates in Windows environment effectively
25. demonstrates basic technology skills (load paper, change toner, unjam printers, print)

Modifier level technical competencies include:

1. applies technology support to provide evidenced based practice
2. synthesizes data from more than one source and applies to practice
3. demonstrates awareness of and ability to access data and information from multiple sources
4. uses decision support systems in practice
5. accesses pertinent literature resources and incorporates into practice and professional development
6. creates and accesses research and other documents electronically

Innovator level technical competencies include:

1. participates in the design and development of information systems for nursing practice
2. develops inventive ways to access data and interact with information systems
3. participates in the design and develop design and development of new applications for nursing practice
4. participates in developing new methods for data and information organization
5. collaborates with information technology consultants and other members of information system development team
6. collaborates, negotiates with and directs information technology vendors
7. proficiency in diverse computer application programs
8. manipulates and enhances nursing data sets
9. organizes and directs applications of shared data sets
10. develops data gathering tools and processes for literature search access for nurses
11. develop charting and documentation templates for use in nursing practice
12. design and development of evidenced based practice documentation and processing within practice area

Utility Competencies --->

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REFERENCES

Grobe, S. (1998). Nursing Informatics 1997 post-conference on patient guidelines and clinical practice guidelines: the state of our knowledge and a vision. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 5 (3); 315-316.

Grobe, SJ. (1989). Nursing informatics competencies. Methods of Information in Medicine, 28 (4); 267-9.

Grobe, SJ. (1988). Nursing informatics competencies for nurse educators and researchers. In H. Peterson & U. Gerdin-Jelger (Eds.) Preparing Nurses for Using Information Systems: Recommended Informatics Competencies, New York: National League for Nursing. 25-40; 117-138.

Hebert, M. (1999). National Nursing Informatics Project Discussion Paper. http://www.cna-nurses.ca/pages/resources/nni/nni_discussion_paper.doc