Clinical Liaison:
When any new technology is introduced, there are a series of steps which must be taken from investigation to acceptance. Without the nursing informatics specialist, critical elements may be missing. Nurses have the responsibility to keep informed of emerging technologies as they affect their area, but considering the flood of electronic applications, this can be challenging (Kleib, Shaben, & Allen, 2012). Nursing informatics specialist should be utilized to assist with this process. Hospitals outsource technology support and frequently vendor support. However, the link for nursing support is missing (Centeno, 2011). This lack of support may leave staff nurses trouble shooting for themselves, which increases stress and takes time away from their bedside nursing care (Centeno, 2011). By having a specialist competent in informatics, leading the way, assists nurses to “take charge of technology as opposed to being driven by it” (Kleib, Shaben, & Allen, 2012, p. 14). To keep up with the growing field of nursing informatics, the role of the nursing informatics specialist as a clinical liaison is critical.