Paper
Wednesday, 19 July 2006
This presentation is part of : Informatics and Technology in Nursing
Building a Research and Technologically Savvy Workforce
Karen Sheffield O'Brien, RN, MSN, ACNP-BC, PhD student, teaching assistant, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA and Patricia L. Richard, PhD, RN, School of Nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Learning Objective #1: Discuss value of personal data assistants as tools in the clinical setting and in the recovery of research materials.
Learning Objective #2: Identify problems in transitioning from books as references to PDA stored information and methods to decrease eliminate those problems.
As long ago as 1994, the American Nurses Association stated, “Research-based practice is essential if the nursing profession is to meet its mandate to society for effective and efficient patient care.” Additionally, in the 1990’s, a push for cost-effective, high quality patient care based on scientific evidence began to emerge (Larrabee, 2003). The volume of data needed to care for patients today is expanding exponentially, and professional nurses must find methods to integrate and readily access the information. The personal data assistant (PDA) provides a mechanism for managing such information. Technology and computer literacy are challenges for both students and faculty. In the study “Improving Student Retention in a BSN Program Using Information Technology,” incoming students were assessed to identify and address computer skill deficiencies and to introduce new skills needed to be successful in the academic and health care arena. Students and faculty were then given a PDA with a full suite of software relevant to the clinical setting and training to assist them in managing information. The study examined the abilities of the students to retrieve data on the PDA versus a textbook. Students were required to have their PDA during all clinical rotations and were encouraged by participating faculty to utilize the PDA for paperwork assignments. During their last semester of the students’ nursing program, evaluations of computer skill and PDA satisfaction were collected. There were many challenges in the deployment of PDAs, and training of students and faculty for use. The use of technology in nursing programs prepares nurses who are open to technology and new methods in a professional nursing practice.

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