Biography
Biography: Suzanne K. Guzelaydin
Abstract
The presentation will discussimplemention of an innovative clinical practice program that integrated computerized simulation, an electronic health record, point-of -care handheld health reference and tele-health resources throughout an undergraduate nursing curriculum. The STEPS program created a student-centered learning environment that combined theQuality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) elements with informatic essentials from the undergraduate nursing students' first introduction to clinical fundamentals. This foundation was integrated throughout the undergraduate nursing curriculum, targeting learning objectives to develop student critical thinking and decision making skills appropriate to their academic level (sophomore, junior, senior). Simulation case scenarios introduced students to progressive complexities of care and engaged them in active-learning situations exploring health care issues across the life span. Scenarios provided student experiences in acute care and community based settings. Core essentials of informatics were utilized in every simulation case scenario. Students gained proficiency in using technology systems to promote, support and improve patient and staff safety, interdisciplinary communication and the provision of patient centered care. Students learned the skills of navigating an electronic health record (data entry, retrieval, communication, aggregation and evidence based practice decision making), use of point-of–care hand held reference resources and tele-health methodologies in the delivery of care. Lessons learned by the project team in bringing the project to lifewill be discussed along with recommendations for avoiding pitfalls in implementation. Approaches used to build partnerships and support for the project from both internal and external prespectives will be examined.