| Over the past decade, there has been a conversion to electronic health records (EHRs) in an effort to improve patient care, access, and efficiency. The goal, which has been supported by federal initiatives, is to meaningfully use informatics to improve the safety and quality of patient care as a major force in improving healthcare. How nurses effectively use EHRs has the greatest impact.;In the past, nurse educators have struggled with how to implement the use of EHRs and nursing informatics. Preparing students to graduate with technology proficient skills is an important competency to demonstrate.;The purpose of this project was to determine how nurse educators in Delaware, are incorporating nursing informatics, as well as utilizing the EHR as a competency of informatics. The Use of Nursing Informatics in Delaware Nursing Education Programs survey was distributed to all nurse educators in Delaware to determine the knowledge level and use of EHR's. The aim of this project was to identify opportunities and challenges of implementing nursing informatics.;The survey found that ADN educators felt experienced and competent using EHRs for clinical experiences, and 70% report teaching informatics. Eighty-one percent of the students had access to EHRs in clinical experiences, and 31% had access in class, or skills/simulation labs. The nurse educators and the results of this survey identified the need to more effectively use and teach nursing informatics literacy, while opportunities to integrate were also identified. |
