Nursing Informatics Needs Assessment: Are Distance Programs Needed Article by Nesler, Sopczyk, Cummings, and Fortunato Helayne Sweet, HSCI740

Needs Being Evaluated This article assesses nurses needs for deploying a distance-learning system for nursing informatics  - Looks as Master’s degrees vs. Certificate programs  - Considers perspective of nursing graduates (bachelor of science), ANA, individuals attending an annual continuing education computer conference  Look at interest and skill level of potential students (including internet use and computer access, availability of faculty (although did not elaborate on this point), availability of related programs

Process for evaluating needs/requirements Primary methodology for collecting needs was polling/surveying various representative groups  - no first hand observation (otj performance of nurses with certificate or masters degrees vs. those without)  - focused on information needed vs. best decisions for healthcare organization  Looked at personal goals, did not discuss organizational goals Author’s conclusions based on various survey results indicated strong perceived need for distance- based maters programs which included nursing informatics education. Suggested worthwhile endeavor.

Needs Assessment Approach in Comparison Needs Assessment lecture suggests focusing on needs vs. wants with 4 step approach  Identify future issues Invite panels, experts – article solicited from appropriate constituent groups, representative of cross populations to idnetify issues Identify information needed for selected issues – several information aspects/questions were disregarded in this article;  Cost to implement a distance learning program and nurses willingness to bear cost  Curriculum mapped to job requirements  Likeliness of participating without promise for career promotion/salary increase (e.g., just for betterment of organization),  Improvement in performance at work (best decision for org. vs. individual)  # of nurses within close proximity to other educational institutions that offer education programs that accommodate nurses working schedules.

Distinguishing Between Needs and Wants Articles focus is on needs and wants of individual – not organizational needs Doesn’t focus on strategic decisions for org. as whole (e.g., best mix of skills, staff utilization and outcomes)

Discussion on Distance Learning – Needs/Wants How is distance learning a strategic decision for a healthcare organization in relation to cost considerations? What priorities would you have focused on in terms of items listed (e.g., # of nurses willing to bear cost?)