Nursing informatics has been defined as, "a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice" (Shuler, 2011). The systems development life cycle (SDLC) is a conceptual model used in project management that describes the stages involved in the information system development, from a feasibility study to the maintenance of the completed system (Rouse, 2009). With these two definitions in mind, the nursing informaticist plays a vital role in the development of the healthcare information system that incorporates the quality of care and safety outcomes of patients as well as the affect the system plays on effective decision making processes.
The most frustrating elements and challenges has involved poor integration and/or interoperability, regular system failures, limited access to information and applications, and the lack of training (Tietz, 2008). A key concept is the transformation of data to knowledge. Data is the discrete entities described objectively without interpretation. It becomes information after it is interpreted, organized, and structured. Information becomes knowledge after being synthesized so that relationships are identified and formalized. Each level increases in complexity and requires greater intellect.
Some of the roles of the nursing informaticist include consumer advocate, project manager, educator, product developer, decision support/outcomes manager, systems analyst, consultant, programmer, advocate/policy developer, web developer, CIO, CEO, CNO, entrepreneur, researcher, or sales and marketing. Depending on the organizational requirements, the position may encompass any of the roles or any combination of the roles. The primary goal of the position is to improve patient care delivery and the nursing practice experience. The major component standards involve problem identification, alternative (or solution) identification, alternative (or solution) development,...
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