| Learning Objective #1: Explain documentation system fluency as a population-based competency at the BSN level | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe practice-education collaboration in creating case studies applying the Omaha System documentation |
Background: This project was consistent with one of the population-based competencies for the new graduate public health nurse developed by the regional education-practice consortium. The Omaha System standardized nursing language was selected because most counties in this region use Omaha System-based automated systems for nursing documentation.
Methodology: Senior BSN students (n=120) participated in an online module applying the Omaha System to three home visit simulations. Using an innovative Omaha System interactive tool, students documented their observations of client problems, nursing interventions and client outcomes (knowledge, behavior, and status). Students printed their documentation in preparation for classroom activities in which they compared their documentation with “expert” nurses' responses to the same case studies. Student confidence logs were used as an intermediate outcome measure of student learning.
Results: Students who participated in the online module improved their confidence in using the Omaha System to a mean of 3.65 (1=not at all to 5=extremely confident). In the next phase of educational research, learning objectives will be assessed as a final outcome.
Implications: An online simulation experience can promote student competence when practicum resources are not uniformly available. Next, developers will revise the online experience using student and public health nurse feedback. Student learning objectives will be assessed in the summative evaluation of the revised online experience.