Nursing Informatics

Information technology use has grown so quickly that nursing informatics has become a specialized career direction. Regional and global associations have formed in many countries and in North America nurses can receive special certification in nursing informatics.
Computers and the Internet are allowing nurses and other health care providers to more easily share information and knowledge in an effort to better improve patient care and care outcome.

The American nurses Association defines nursing informatics as:

"...as a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science and information science to manage and communicate data, information and knowledge in nursing practice....to support patients, nurses and other providers in their decision-making in all roles and settings. This support is accomplished through the use of information structures, information processes and information technology."

Associations

American Nursing Informatics Association
www.ania.org

British Computer Society - Nursing Specialist Group
www.bcsnsg.org.uk

Canadian Nursing Informatics Association
www.cnia.ca

Health Informatics New Zealand
www.hinz.org.nz

Nursing Informatics Europe
www.nicecomputing.ch/nieurope

Education / Certification

This area of nursing has become so specialized that you can now take special courses and even receive certification as an informatics specialist. I've also listed here an online community for nurses who work in this area.

The use of computer and information technology in nursing will only continue to grow. By specializing in this area you can help other nurses learn how to better use the technology, as well as ensure safe handling of patient information.

Nursing Informatics Learning center
www.nursing-informatics.com

Online Community
www.informaticsnurse.com

Journals

Online Journal of Nursing Informatics
www.eaa-knowledge.com/ojni

CIN (Computers:Informatics:Nursing)
www.cinjournal.com

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