Nursing informatics is a fundamental step in evidence-based nursing since it entails the integration of modern technology to manage and disseminate data, information, knowledge and wisdom for use in nursing (American Nurses Association, 2008, p. 3). The progression of data to wisdom is a daunting task that requires a lot of literature review and meta-synthesis of concepts supported by sufficient data and rationale. On this note, this paper seeks to demonstrate the continuum of data to information, knowledge and wisdom in view of the clinical question: “Is Standardized Nursing Language (SNL) effective in Nursing Practice?”
In accordance with the evolved data, information, knowledge and wisdom (DIKW) model, which was first coined by Blum as indicated by the American Nurses Association (2008), answering the aforementioned question will use a no different approach from this model. My clinical question evaluates the effectiveness of Standardized Nursing Language (SNL) in nursing practice. What I currently know about this topic is derived from some databases about the effectiveness of this language in nursing practice. Various parties have continued to advocate the effectiveness of Standardized Nursing Language in nursing practice. The recent endorsement of the HITECH Act helps to ensure that nurses are exposed to up-to-date information while adopting nursing concepts that help in the interpretation of nursing practice (Brokel, 2010, p. 182). The use of SNL is effective because it avoids confusion, and it can be widely used on an international level. This SNL has been translated into various languages; hence, enhancing its effectiveness (Brokel, 2010). In addition, electronically transmitted SNL is a cost-saving endeavor because relevant data is used across institutions and reused to ensure quality prevails (Westra et al., 2010). Rutherford (2008) highlights the benefits of SNL as better communication and adherence to readily available interventions among nurses, increased availability and accessibility of data in the investigation of nursing care outcomes and improved nursing education and research. All these benefits can only be guaranteed if the nurses and other health workers are able to access this information. I, therefore, seek additional information regarding accessibility of information by nurses to ensure the aforementioned benefits are achieved.
Nursing relies on scientific evidence for developing new knowledge; thus, I will search through various databases for peer-reviewed journal articles, from where I will gather findings about the research articles. However, it is important to note that direct care across persons also serves as a source of data (American Nurses Association, 2008, p. 5), but this paper will rely on research articles due to the nature of inquiry. Gleaned data will be analyzed and checked for similar and different themes that will be well-organized. This information will be integrated into the nursing practice in day to day activities while checking for congruence and incongruence between knowledge and practice. There are numerous databases that are applicable in the nursing field. However, I prefer to start with Google Scholar because it is a simple tool that enables me to search across the various databases (Indiana University, 2014). Later, I can narrow down to each database with reference to the ‘related or similar articles’ feature. This feature helps to access articles that tend to have similar objectives. I begin searching the most current articles as I proceed on to older articles, but not more than 5 years old because of the fast rate at which nursing research is growing.
The keywords for use will be Standardized Nursing Language, Effective, Nursing Practice, Access, Accessibility, Benefits, Challenges, Frequency, Time, Nursing Informatics, Emergency, Treatment, and Intervention.
A research article is a source for new facts, but it also integrates these facts with previous facts as a way of justifying the new findings. Extraction of relevant details from the articles will be guided by the objectives of my clinical question, and precisely about privacy. Once I have gathered different pieces of data from different articles, I will check the similarities and differences while checking for the justifications of gleaned data. Upon verifiable evidence, I will integrate and organize the data into themes. This integration and sufficient support for new evidence becomes a reliable source of information that can be termed as new knowledge (Matney, Brewster, Sward, Cloyes & Staggers, 2011). The new knowledge is used to improve or enhance nursing practice. When data is available, information and knowledge are easily developed, but wisdom is gained over time. When new knowledge is gained and integrated into nursing practice, an individual’s intellectual capacity is very imperative to make decisions that are sometimes only left to the discretion of the practitioner. Time helps a practitioner to familiarize him or herself with the various scenarios where the new knowledge can or cannot be applied (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012, p. 105-106). According to Musker (2011, p. 67), when nurses become aware of the world they dwell in through knowledge and practice, they are able to generate theories that can be applied in their field because they have developed a discerning ability that makes them wise.
Nursing informatics seems to be an imperative management system for nursing information. It is associated with numerous benefits, but, given the overwhelming nature of nursing, nurses may not get adequate time to review SNL. It will be great insight to learn how nurses are able to deal with hysterical patients in hospitals while ensuring they remain up-to-date with whatever is happening in their nursing world. The DIKW framework is perceived as an effective tool that helps to achieve this by utilizing readily available resources.
References
American Nurses Association. (2008). Nursing informatics: Scope & standards of practice. Silver Springs, MD: Author.
Brokel, J. (2010). Moving forward with NANDA-I nursing diagnoses with Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act Legislation: News updates. International Journal of Nursing Terminologies & Classifications, 21(4), 182–185.
Indiana University. (2014). Databases by Subject: Nursing. Web.
Matney, S., Brewster, P. J., Sward, K. A., Cloyes, K. G., & Staggers, N. (2011). Philosophical approaches to the nursing informatics data-information-knowledge- wisdom framework. Advances in Nursing Science, 34(1), 6–18.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2012). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Musker, K. (2011). Nursing theory-based independent nursing practice: A personal experience of closing the theory-practice gap. Advances in Nursing Science, 34(1), 67-77.
Rutherford, M. A. (2008). Standardized nursing language: What does it mean for nursing practice? OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 13(1). Web.
Westra, B. L., Subramanian, A., Hart, C. M., Matney, S. A., Wilson, P. S., Huff, S. M., … Delaney, C. W. (2010). Achieving “meaningful use” of electronic health records through the integration of the Nursing Management Minimum Data Set. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 40(7–8), 336–343.