Audit of curriculum content to assess the integration of CASN informatics competencies in a BScN Program

Bowman, Sherry (2015) Audit of curriculum content to assess the integration of CASN informatics competencies in a BScN Program. Practicum Report. Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

In 2012 the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) published “Nursing Informatics: Entry-to-practice competencies for Registered Nurses.” These nursing informatics (NI) competencies provide a clear description of the NI competencies that student nurses should meet upon graduation. The use of evidence-informed practice and information technology is increasingly common in clinical practice settings and employers expect that nurses will enter practice with competency in the use of information and communication technology (ICT). Despite the proliferation of technology there is a need to strengthen the capacity of graduating nurses to manage information and to use health care specific information systems for the planning and evaluation of nursing care. Nurse educators must take an active role to ensure that students have the learning opportunities to develop these competencies. This project is an important first step toward integration of the NI competencies in a curriculum. Iwasiw and Goldenberg’s (2009) context-relevant curriculum development model was used as a guide. An audit tool was adapted and a pilot audit was completed to assess the extent to which NI entry to practice competencies (CASN, 2012) were covered in five of the courses in St. Francis Xavier University (STFX) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) curriculum. All participants in the project expressed interest and enthusiasm for strengthening the integration of informatics competencies in nursing courses across the curriculum. Key gaps tend to be in the area of nursing specific informatics competency and involvement in the use and development of health information systems. Continuation of the audit of nursing courses for NI competencies and a strategic approach to strengthening integration of NI competencies are recommended.

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