Assignments that assisted with growth in
Standards of Practice Competence

Standard 1

Assessment:                                      

The informatics nurse collects comprehensive data, information, and emerging evidence pertinent to the situation. 

The local regional health incident developed my competence in assessment by asking for detailed descriptions of an incident, with a focus on investigative tactics, essential information gathering, stats on demographics, and anecdotal information. 

Standard 2

Diagnosis, Problems, Identified Issues: 

The informatics nurse analyzes assessment data to identify diagnoses, problems, issues, and opportunities for improvement.

The personal health record paper gave me the opportunity to analyze a workflow and imagine how it could be optimized in a future state. Great care was given to create a new structure that would be patient centered while reducing excess FTE’s.

Standard 3

Outcomes Identification:                        

The informatics nurse identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the health care consumer or the situation.

The health literacy assignment was important in that helped me to consider some of the challenges facing healthcare consumers, and allowed me to create a plan based on those needs. Learning how to direct patients to credible information was inspiring.  

 

Standard 4

Planning:

The informatics nurse identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the health care consumer or the situation.

While working on my usability study paper I learned the importance of identifying expected outcomes, as well as anticipating unexpected outcomes. This assignment strengthened my ability to plan, predict, and accurately capture salient data needed for individualizing projects.

Standard 5

Implementation:

The informatics nurse implements the identified plan.

During the nursing informatics seminar I learned how to analyze the need for an implementation, how to plan and offer project recommendations, and how to implement a plan. Looking at key stakeholders, barriers and facilitators to change, organizational impact. and ensuring project readiness, this assignment inspired massive growth.

 

Standard 5a

Coordination of Activities:

The informatics nurse coordinates planned activities.

Writing the implementation and measurement areas of this paper I was able to share the coordinated activities which made up my project implementation. There were many steps necessary to get my pilot ready for go-live, and I learned the importance of staying organized and maintaining focus on project goals.

Standard 5b

Health Teaching & Health Promotion

The informatics nurse employs informatics solutions and strategies for education and teaching to promote health and a safe environment.

The health teaching and promotion assignment illustrated the importance of providing credible, vetted information to patients, especially with regard to internet-based sources of information. Using informatics solutions to provide patients with an understanding of safe e-learning was very beneficial to my competence. 

Standard 6

Evaluation: 

The informatics nurse evaluates progress toward the attainment of desired outcomes.

The creation of quality measures has been an invaluable area of skill development for me. While I understood the importance of key performance indicators prior to this program, learning how to evaluate desired goals using KPI’s enriched my ability to ensure successful interventions. This project deeply enhanced my ability to evaluate. 

Standard 7

Ethics:

The informatics nurse practices ethically.

CITI certification required many hours of study, which resulted in a deep understanding of importance of ethics in any research involving human subjects. It’s fair to say that this academic endeavor was arduous, but I am now fully competent to engage in research activities, while keeping my patients safe. I am fully appreciative of issues that increase vulnerability and am committed to protecting patients.

Standard 8

Culturally Congruent Practice

The informatics nurse practices in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equality, and inclusion principles.

The cultural presentation helped me to understand and appreciate culture in epidemiology. It was an amazing way to explore cultural beliefs, and to search for public health resources available to diverse patients.

Standard 9

Communication:

The informatics nurse communicates effectively in all areas of practice.

There were so many assignments that contributed to our competence in all areas of practice, but NUR 614 in its entirety was a masterclass in communication that I will never forget. The textbook was fantastic, the instructor phenomenal, and the content life-changing. 

Standard 10

Collaboration:

The informatics nurse collaborates with the health care consumer and other key stakeholders in the conduct of nursing practice.

The professional interviews assignment was as exiting as it was beneficial. Having the ability to collaborate with future colleagues and discuss their areas of informatics was a great way to enhance knowledge.

Standard 11

Leadership:

The informatics nurse demonstrates leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.

During my rotation within a local acute care facility I was able to see into the world of the C-suite, and learn about the prolific challenges of managing a hospital. It was fortunate that my experience was so elevated, in that I was able to participate in think-tank sessions with the CNO, and assist with a new EHR conversion. What an amazing way to gain competence in professional practice.

Standard 12

Education:

The informatics nurse attains knowledge that reflect current nursing and informatics practice.

The personal health record workflow was one of my favorite assignments during this program. Analyzing how work is done, and trying to come up with a better way, is what gets me out of bed in the morning. I loved using current technology to imagine a better way to serve patients in the primary care setting. It actually inspired me to create a “ultra future state” workflow.                                                  

Standard 13

EBP & Research

The informatics nurse integrates evidence and research findings into practice.

The development of the PICOT question in NUR 601 took a lot more reflection than I had imagined it would. The process of asking the burning question, then coming up with something specific and meaningful enough to explore, filled me with intrigue and an appreciation for the process of exploring EBP. I developed an EBP guide for work based on much of this knowledge.

 

 

 Standard 14

Quality of Practice:

The informatics nurse contributes to the quality and effectiveness of nursing and informatics practice. 

Learning the SDLC was crucial. This assignment helped me to look at new implementations with a critical eye. If it is up to me, proper SDLC work will precede any future technology endeavors.

Standard 15

Professional Practice Evaluation:

The informatics nurse evaluates personal nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines, relevant statutes, rules, and regulations.

This prodigious curation had a deep impact on my development as a leader and a professional. I look back on the assignment with great affection.



Standard 16

Resource Utilization:

The informatics nurse employs appropriate resources to plan and implement informatics and associated services that are safe, effective, and fiscally responsible.

Steering a massive AI-based pilot, I learned how to be a problem manager, change agent, educator and how to perform data analysis.

Standard 17

Environmental Health:

The informatics nurse supports practice in a safe and healthy environment

For this assignment I partnered with another student and created a photo essay describing the social determinants of health, and the impact of access to healthy food on individuals and communities.