Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics

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This article was written on 20 Mar 2012, and is filled under Volume 7 2012, Volume 7 No 1.

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Apps for the 21st Century Digital Nurse

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MOBILE TECHNOLOGY COLUMN

Our newest column on mobile technologies and applications (Apps) is written by Jeanette Centeno a nurse at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey and currently works in the Spinal Cord Unit. This facility is well known for its innovative rehab and nursing care.

By Jeanette Centeno, RN

Medcalc Screen

You passed the CRNEs and landed your first nursing job and are ready to eagerly start your chosen profession. For new nurses, this step can be extremely intimidating and even frightening. Impressing your new boss and co-workers can be a challenge – let alone efficiently meeting patient needs. So how does a new nurse navigate such challenges? The answer is quite simple – INFORMATION.

Mobile applications can assist new nurses with practice related skills. For instance, MedCalc is a great app that gives you access to medical formulas, allowing you to search for equations by name and keywords. This is an essential tool for nurses who are required to use calculations before giving IV and other medications. Another great app is EPOCRATES that provides reliable drug, disease, and diagnostic information. These simple tools can provide very important information necessary to make quick nursing decisions and provide solid patient education.

Epocrates

Epocrates Screen

The applications are designed to enhance nursing care and enhance your practice skills. They provide quick information; maintain organization, and provide direction for practice, even on hectic days. They support the knowledge, application, and practice skills needed to impress administration and boost your own sense of confidence and competence. The 21st century digital nurse is one who is comfortable in their role and embraces technology to improve patient care. The integration of nursing information and technology allows nursing informatics to improve nursing care.

This innovation has led to the development of applications such as RN – Nursing Essentials to provide a pocket guide to critical information that is used nation wide by many first responders. Applications such as the ones mention enhance our skills, assist in monitoring critical changes in patients, and aid in proper documentation. These simple tools can ease the transition from student nurse to a vital employer in any 21st century nursing team.

 

 

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