Relationship between Nursing Informatics Competency and Innovativeness among Qualified Nurses

Abstract

Context: Nursing informatics is an important quality resource for patient care, which promotes, enhances, and increases the organization's growth and influences the innovativeness level of the individuals.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the relationship between nursing informatics competency and innovativeness among qualified nurses. Methods: Descriptive correlational cross-sectional study design was 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 Questionnaire and individual innovativeness (II) questionnaire.

Results: 28% of the participants rated themselves as experts in the nursing informatics competency. At the same time, 40% and 22% were early adopters and innovators regarding the total individual innovativeness level. 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 was 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 is evidenced between the overall score of informatics competency and individual innovativeness for qualified nurses. 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.