Informatics: RN to BSN Students’ Perceived Competence

Background: Nurses utilize informatics to aide in providing safe, quality care to patients across the lifespan in a variety of settings; therefore, it is important that nurses have knowledge of nursing informatics. Nurses entering RN to BSN completion programs bring a range of clinical experience which often includes application of informatics. This poses a challenge for nursing faculty in designing programs to meet the needs of this specific population regarding informatics.Method: In this descriptive correlational research study, data were collected from a convenience sample of RN to BSN students using a demographic questionnaire and the Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment Tool (NICAT).Results: The total NICAT score supported all subjects being at the competent level or above and 37 subjects were noted to perceive themselves at the proficient or expert level.Conclusion: RN to BSN students reported informatics competency; however, they may benefit from specific informatics content