BSN 235: Nursing Communication and Informatics

BSN 235: Nursing Communication and Informatics

Nursing Communication and Informatics is an essential course for nursing students. It is offered as a part of the nursing curriculum and focuses on equipping students with the skills to effectively communicate with patients, families, and healthcare professionals using digital technologies. This course also provides students with the knowledge and skills to use electronic health records (EHRs) and other information technologies to improve patient outcomes.

In this article, we will discuss the course BSN 235: Nursing Communication and Informatics, its objectives, content, and importance in nursing practice.

Course Objectives:

The primary objective of BSN 235: Nursing Communication and Informatics is to prepare students to use digital technologies and communication tools in nursing practice. The course aims to teach students how to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals using various digital platforms.

Another objective of the course is to provide students with an understanding of EHRs and other health information technologies. Students will learn how to use these technologies to collect, manage, and analyze patient data, which will help in making informed clinical decisions.

Content:

The content of BSN 235:

Nursing Communication and Informatics includes various topics related to digital communication, health information technologies, and EHRs. The course covers the following topics:

1. Introduction to Health Information Technologies: The course starts with an overview of health information technologies, their importance in nursing practice, and their impact on patient care.
2. Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Students will learn about EHRs, their functions, and how to use them to manage patient data. They will also learn about the legal and ethical issues related to EHRs.
3. Communication Tools: The course covers various communication tools used in nursing practice, such as email, texting, video conferencing, and telehealth. Students will learn how to use these tools to communicate with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
4. Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS): Students will learn about CDSS and how they can be used to support clinical decision-making. They will also learn about the different types of CDSS and their applications in nursing practice.
5. Health Information Exchange (HIE): The course covers HIE, its functions, and how it can be used to improve patient care. Students will also learn about the legal and ethical issues related to HIE.
6. Quality and Safety: The course covers the importance of quality and safety in nursing practice. Students will learn about the different quality and safety measures used in healthcare and how digital technologies can be used to improve them.

Importance in Nursing Practice:

Nursing Communication and Informatics is an essential course for nursing students as it prepares them to use digital technologies and communication tools in nursing practice. The course provides students with the skills to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals using various digital platforms. This is important as digital technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in healthcare, and nurses need to be proficient in their use.

The course also provides students with an understanding of EHRs and other health information technologies. This knowledge is essential as nurses are responsible for collecting and managing patient data, and EHRs are becoming the standard for this. Nurses need to know how to use EHRs effectively to ensure accurate and complete patient data is available for clinical decision-making.

Furthermore, the course provides students with an understanding of CDSS and HIE, which can be used to improve patient outcomes. CDSS can provide nurses with decision support and help them make informed clinical decisions. HIE can be used to share patient data across healthcare providers, which can improve care coordination and reduce errors.

Finally, the course covers the importance of quality and safety in nursing practice. Students learn how digital technologies can be used to improve quality and safety measures in healthcare. This is important as quality and safety are essential aspects of nursing practice, and nurses need to be aware of the different measures that can be used to improve them.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, BSN 235: Nursing Communication and Informatics is an essential course for nursing students. It equips them with the knowledge and skills to use digital technologies and communication tools in nursing practice. The course covers various topics related to health information technologies, EHRs, communication tools, CDSS, HIE, and quality and safety measures.

The importance of this course in nursing practice cannot be overstated. Digital technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in healthcare, and nurses need to be proficient in their use to provide quality patient care. The course provides students with an understanding of EHRs and other health information technologies, which are becoming the standard for collecting and managing patient data.

Furthermore, the course covers CDSS and HIE, which can be used to improve patient outcomes by providing decision support and improving care coordination. Finally, the course covers the importance of quality and safety measures in nursing practice and how digital technologies can be used to improve them.

Therefore, nursing schools should continue to offer this course to ensure that nursing students are well-equipped to use digital technologies and communication tools in nursing practice. This will ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes and better-quality care.

RELATED:

BSN 225: Concepts of Nursing – Health Promotion