Change Facilitator:
Nursing informatics and the adoption of new technologies represents a growing amount of change in the field
of healthcare (Bozak, 2003). Considering that nurses make up the largest user group in healthcare, this change for nursing units can be quite challenging (Hilz, 2000). The role of the nursing informatics specialist is paramount in making these transitions. Knowledge of change theories is key, as is embracing change models and their applications (Kinsella & Albright, 2012). As the field of informatics evolves the importance of the nursing informatics specialist will increase. The nursing informatics specialist needs to be able to recognize what promotes change as well as what impedes it (Bozak, 2003). Change evokes many responses, but rarely indifference (Bozak, 2003). Knowing how individuals perceive technology and its changes are also important to making changes. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) recorded that in 2009 the average age of a working registered nurse was 45 (CIHI, 2012). According to Kenney and Androwich (2012b), this means that the average working registered nurse is a digital immigrant. Knowing that this population has different learning patterns and preferences is also essential. Knowing how to manage resistance and how to motivate staff is a critical
skill of the specialist (Kenney & Androwich, 2012a). A nursing informatics specialist is better able to collaborate with other healthcare professionals such as physicians and management, to ensure a well integrated, multidisciplinary system (Dixon, 2010). As Kenney and Androwich (2012a) confirm, the electronic health record will become a reality, as will many other technologies, nurses need to be kept informed. The nursing informatics specialist will be in a position to provide needed education and support through the upcoming changes. With the increasing amount of change expected, the need for a nursing information specialist will continue to grow.
of healthcare (Bozak, 2003). Considering that nurses make up the largest user group in healthcare, this change for nursing units can be quite challenging (Hilz, 2000). The role of the nursing informatics specialist is paramount in making these transitions. Knowledge of change theories is key, as is embracing change models and their applications (Kinsella & Albright, 2012). As the field of informatics evolves the importance of the nursing informatics specialist will increase. The nursing informatics specialist needs to be able to recognize what promotes change as well as what impedes it (Bozak, 2003). Change evokes many responses, but rarely indifference (Bozak, 2003). Knowing how individuals perceive technology and its changes are also important to making changes. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) recorded that in 2009 the average age of a working registered nurse was 45 (CIHI, 2012). According to Kenney and Androwich (2012b), this means that the average working registered nurse is a digital immigrant. Knowing that this population has different learning patterns and preferences is also essential. Knowing how to manage resistance and how to motivate staff is a critical
skill of the specialist (Kenney & Androwich, 2012a). A nursing informatics specialist is better able to collaborate with other healthcare professionals such as physicians and management, to ensure a well integrated, multidisciplinary system (Dixon, 2010). As Kenney and Androwich (2012a) confirm, the electronic health record will become a reality, as will many other technologies, nurses need to be kept informed. The nursing informatics specialist will be in a position to provide needed education and support through the upcoming changes. With the increasing amount of change expected, the need for a nursing information specialist will continue to grow.
Adapted from: Bozak, 2003