Relationship between Nursing Informatics Competency and Innovativeness among Qualified Nurses

Abstract

Context: Nursing informatics is an important quality resource for patient care, which in effect promotes, enhances, and increases the organization's growth and influences the innovativeness level of the individuals.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between nursing informatics competency and innovativeness among qualified nurses.

Methods: Descriptive correlational cross-sectional study design used to conduct this study on all units (57 units) at Benha University Hospital, Egypt.  A Convenience sample of all available (223) qualified nurses working at Banha University Hospital Nursing informatics competency assessment tool and individual innovativeness (II) questionnaire.

Results: 28% of the participants rated themselves as experts in the nursing informatics competency. While 40% and 22% were early adopters and innovators respectively regarding the total level of individual innovativeness. There was a positive, highly statistically significant correlation between the overall score of informatics competency and individual innovativeness for qualified nurses (r= 0.263, p-value = 0.000). A highly statistically significant relationship also detected between the demographic variables in the study and both informatics competency and individual innovativeness for qualified nurses.  

Conclusion: A positive, highly statistically significant correlation evidenced between the overall score of informatics competency and individual innovativeness for qualified nurses. In order to prepare nursing students to meet the ever-changing technical needs of patients, computer and information skills should be integrated into the nursing curriculum. Also, nursing education programs should utilize educational methods that encourage innovativeness among their students.