GROUP RIT ASSESSMENT!

Group RIT Assessment!

Group RIT Assessment!

Introduction

The most effective manager is a good time manager. She is efficient and innovative with the use of her time (Drucker, 1985). Nurses and other healthcare practitioners stand to benefit from the outcomes of becoming a good time manager. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) offers a very modern way for nurses to manage their time and be efficient and effective in the workplace for the benefit of their patients (Willmer 2005). Unfortunately the information systems that support nurses to provide care to patients have been developed without their direct input and disregard in 'informal' communication that takes place and makes a difference to the quality of care provided (Ballard 2006).

If this trend is to be reversed the processes of socialization of student nurses - the future generation of the profession - must be studied in relation to the acquisition of ICT skills and use. This article discusses aspects of the findings of a professional doctorate enquiry into ICT skills development and use by student nurses. It makes the case for how evidence-based nursing leadership and management activities could assist the processes to promote, implement and sustain quality patient care by student nurses using ICT. Background information is provided about key internal and external environmental factors driving these changes. The method of this case study research and the findings are presented. The discussion focuses on the findings of this professional doctorate but more particularly it explores how evidence-based nursing leadership and management activities could assist qualified nurses to promote, implement and sustain quality patient care by student nurses using ICT

Information and Communications Technology is defined as primarily using a computer to receive process and disseminate information electronically. However, in this study, ICT skill is perceived as the competence of the student nurse to 'demonstrate literacy, numeracy and computer skills needed to record, enter, store retrieve and organize data essential to care delivery' (Nursing and Midwifery Council 2004).

Background

Willmer (2005) discussed the need for this professional doctorate research fully through a detailed literature search. The review concluded that there is a dearth of published work in this specific area of study. Consequently, relevant, related and tangential literature was reviewed to establish the need for the study.

One of the key drivers for the need to improve the ICT skills of student nurses is the required outcomes by student nurses for entry to the general nursing adult branch programme. This outcomes requirement states that student nurse must 'Demonstrate literacy, numeracy and computer skills needed to record, enter, store retrieve and organize data essential to care delivery' (Nursing and Midwifery Council 2004). These requirements when implemented and sustained have the potential to contribute significantly to improved quality patient care.

Other key external drivers include the changes to how we live. This includes the demand by the government through the NHS National Programme for Information and Technology (NpfIT, DH 2004) programme to see the use of Information Technology as an integrated method of providing patient care and ...