NURS FPX 6109 Assessment 1 Vila Health: Educational Technology Needs Assessment
NURS FPX 6109 Assessment 1 Vila Health: Educational Technology Needs Assessment
Name
Capella university
NURS-FPX 6109 Integrating Technology into Nursing Education
Prof. Name
Date
Educational Technology Assessment Needs
The rapid evolution of healthcare practices in response to dynamic challenges such as the national opioid crisis necessitates a concurrent advancement in educational technologies within healthcare organizations. As the Director of Nursing Education, conducting a thorough needs assessment is imperative to evaluate the efficacy of existing educational technologies and identify areas for improvement (Mlambo et al., 2021). This assessment aims to define how nurses currently utilize educational technology, discern any gaps or shortcomings in the current state, compare it with best practices in nursing education, and assess the metrics for evaluating technology benefits. It will align technology use with organizational objectives and propose changes.
How Nurses Currently Use Educational Technology
Nurses utilize various educational technology tools within clinical training and continuing professional education. These tools include simulation equipment, e-learning platforms, electronic health record (EHR) systems for training, remote communication tools for collaborative learning, and virtual reality (VR) technology (Hartman et al., 2024). Simulation equipment is crucial in providing realistic scenarios for clinical skill development, such as patient assessment and emergency response simulations. Nurses engage with simulated patient cases to practice critical thinking, decision-making, and hands-on procedures in a safe environment.
E-learning platforms offer interactive modules and courses on various healthcare topics. These platforms may include multimedia content, quizzes, and assessments to reinforce learning objectives (Sheikh et al., 2021). The EHR system is utilized for training on documentation practices, patient data management, and navigation of electronic health records (Bondy et al., 2021). Nurses learn to input and retrieve patient information accurately, understand coding and billing processes, and ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.
Remote communication tools facilitate virtual meetings, webinars, and knowledge-sharing sessions among nursing staff and educators. These tools enable collaborative learning, professional development activities, and ongoing support for nursing education initiatives. Virtual reality (VR) technology provides immersive learning experiences where nurses can practice clinical skills and procedures in a controlled, interactive environment (Kim & Ahn, 2021). VR can simulate various clinical scenarios, enhancing nurses’ competence and confidence in handling real-life situations. Despite using these educational technology tools, there are uncertainties regarding the extent of integration, utilization rates, and proficiency levels among nursing staff (Lee et al., 2020). Additional information is needed, including feedback from nursing staff, proficiency assessments, utilization data, and insights into barriers or challenges faced in effectively utilizing these technologies.
The Comparison with the Desired Technology State
Educational technology in the organization includes electronic health records (EHRs), virtual reality (VR) technology, simulation equipment, and training resources. While these tools are available, their utilization across departments could be more consistent. For example, some nursing staff use VR technology for immersive clinical training, while others lack standardized training and protocols (Liu et al., 2023). This variability in usage leads to knowledge and skill gaps among nursing professionals. Additionally, integration issues between VR systems and existing training protocols impact the effectiveness of immersive learning experiences (Papadopoulos et al., 2022).
Current State v/s Desired State.
Educational technology in the organization includes electronic health records (EHRs), virtual reality (VR) technology, simulation equipment, and training resources. While these tools are available, their utilization across departments could be more consistent. Currently, nursing staff exhibit variable usage of VR technology and other educational tools, resulting in uneven skill levels. Integration challenges with VR systems and current training protocols further affect the overall learning experience (Shorey et al., 2020). Significant training gaps exist due to the need for standardized training programs, leading to disparities in the competency and confidence of nursing staff. Although there is a dedicated information technology (IT) support team that ensures the functionality of existing systems, this support is only partially leveraged due to inconsistent tool usage (Lee et al., 2020).
In the desired state, all nursing staff would effectively use VR technology and other educational tools, achieving uniform skill levels and competencies. VR systems would be seamlessly integrated into training protocols, enhancing the quality and effectiveness of immersive learning experiences (Liu et al., 2023). Currently, only 40% of nursing staff consistently utilize VR technology and other educational tools, contributing to uneven skill levels. In contrast, in the ideal scenario, 100% adoption is targeted and supported by integrated training protocols and standardized programs. Comprehensive, standardized training programs would be in place, ensuring that all staff members receive the same level of education and support. The IT support team would be fully utilized to maintain and optimize educational technology, contributing to continuous professional development.
SWOT Analysis
The SWOT analysis was conducted to evaluate the present condition of technology. SWOT analysis is a technique used to identify and assess the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of an organization or technology. (Ladd et al., 2020).
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Strengths
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Weaknesses
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Opportunities
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Threats
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Assessment of Metrics for Educational Technology Use
Evaluating the metrics employed to measure the advantages of the existing utilization of educational technology requires a thorough examination of how effectively these metrics capture significant outcomes. Metrics like user engagement data, completion rates of VR training modules, and assessments of knowledge retention are used to measure how VR technology influences nursing practices and outcomes for patient care (Kim & Ahn, 2021). However, to ensure the validity and relevance of these metrics, clear justification is required for the conclusions drawn from them (Senbekov et al., 2020). Metrics should align with strategic goals, focusing on activity metrics and outcome-based indicators that directly contribute to enhanced patient care, clinical decision-making, and staff competency.
To enhance the quality, interpretation, and use of these metrics, healthcare professionals can implement several strategies. Firstly, the development and implementation of tailored Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can provide more targeted insights into the impact of VR technology on nursing practice (Lee et al., 2020). These KPIs should align with strategic objectives and reflect desired improvements in patient safety, clinical efficiency, and staff competency. Secondly, regular assessments and audits of the data collected through VR technology platforms can ensure accuracy, reliability, and relevance. This process should involve evaluating assessment tools, data collection methods, and reporting mechanisms to identify areas for improvement and optimize data quality (McGaghie et al., 2023). Involving stakeholders from nursing, IT, education, and leadership in the evaluation process can also provide valuable insights and ensure that metrics are meaningful and actionable for driving continuous improvement.
Organizational Mission Aligned with the Technology
Whether new or already in place, educational technology closely supports the organization’s strategic mission. This includes delivering excellent patient care, promoting ongoing learning and growth among employees, and embracing innovative solutions to tackle healthcare challenges effectively (Senbekov et al., 2020). Integrating educational technology such as virtual reality (VR) technology, simulation equipment, and e-learning platforms directly supports strategic goals by enhancing clinical decision-making, improving patient outcomes, and empowering staff with updated knowledge and skills (Hartman et al., 2024).
VR technology integrated into training programs enables immersive learning experiences for healthcare professionals, providing realistic simulations and scenarios to practice critical skills and decision-making (Liu et al., 2023). This aligns with our mission of providing safe and effective patient care by leveraging technology to optimize clinical workflows and enhance staff competencies. Furthermore, simulation equipment and e-learning platforms complement VR technology by offering interactive and engaging learning opportunities, fostering ongoing education and skills enhancement (Koukourikos et al., 2021). This supports the strategic objective of fostering a culture of lifelong learning and professional growth among its workforce. The strategic use of VR technology in educational programs contributes to innovation in healthcare delivery (Senbekov et al., 2020). By embracing digital solutions such as VR and staying abreast of technological advancements, the organization demonstrates its commitment to staying at the forefront of healthcare innovation.
Recommendations
To enhance nursing education, strategic changes in existing educational technology and its utilization are recommended. There is a critical need for unified and standardized training programs tailored to improve staff competency by utilizing educational technology tools effectively. These programs should encompass technical aspects and best practices in leveraging tools like virtual reality (VR) technology and simulation equipment. Additionally, optimizing VR technology integration within EHRs is vital to streamline workflows, provide real-time decision support, and ensure seamless clinical processes (Hartman et al., 2024). Customizing the system to align with specific protocols and workflows will enhance its usability and effectiveness in aiding nursing professionals during patient care processes.
Continuous skills development initiatives should be established using VR technology and e-learning platforms to offer nursing staff ongoing education and training opportunities. These initiatives can focus on evidence-based practice, patient safety, and emerging healthcare technologies, ensuring that staff remains updated with the latest advancements. Implementing feedback mechanisms within VR technology platforms will also be beneficial in gathering insights from nursing staff regarding usability and effectiveness, allowing for iterative improvements and enhancements (Shorey et al., 2020). Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between nursing education and IT teams will ensure that VR technology solutions are aligned with clinical needs, evidence-based practices, and regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
After assessing the current state of educational technology utilization, particularly VR, inconsistencies were identified across departments, leading to gaps in knowledge. To address this, recommended actions include implementing standardized training programs, enhancing VR integration, and prioritizing ongoing skills development through VR and e-learning platforms. These changes are crucial for improving patient care and fostering continuous learning that is aligned with organizational objectives. Incorporating feedback mechanisms and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration will further strengthen these efforts.
References
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Hartman, C., Kim, I., & Ryu, J. (2024). Conceptualizing collaborative team learning in XR for medical education and training. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 44–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61047-9_3
Kim, Y. J., & Ahn, S. Y. (2021). Factors influencing nursing students’ immersive virtual reality media technology-based learning. Sensors, 21(23), 8088. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21238088
Koukourikos, K., Tsaloglidou, A., Kourkouta, L., Papathanasiou, I., Iliadis, C., Fratzana, A., & Panagiotou, A. (2021). Simulation in clinical nursing education. Acta Informatica Medica, 29(1), 15–20. https://doi.org/10.5455/aim.2021.29.15-20
NURS FPX 6109 Assessment 1 Vila Health: Educational Technology Needs Assessment
Ladd, E., Miller, Mi., Wheeler, K., Wainaina, S., Aguirre, F., McGrath, H., Lee, S., Nashwan, A., Neary, A., & Core, K. (2020). A global SWOT analysis of advanced practice nursing: Policy, regulation, and practice. Research Square, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-113320/v1
Lee, J., Lee, H., Kim, S., Choi, M., Ko, I. S., Bae, J., & Kim, S. H. (2020). Debriefing methods and learning outcomes in simulation nursing education: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nurse Education Today, 87(1), 104345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2020.104345
Liu, K., Zhang, W., Li, W., Wang, T., & Zheng, Y. (2023). Effectiveness of virtual reality in nursing education: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BioMed Central Medical Education, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04662-x
McGaghie, W. C., Barsuk, J. H., Wayne, D. B., & S. Barry Issenberg. (2023). Powerful medical education improves health care quality and return on investment. Medical Teacher, 46(1), 46–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159x.2023.2276038
Mlambo, M., Silén, C., & McGrath, C. (2021). Lifelong learning and nurses’ continuing professional development: A meta-synthesis of the literature. BioMed Central Nursing, 20(62), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00579-2
NURS FPX 6109 Assessment 1 Vila Health: Educational Technology Needs Assessment
Papadopoulos, P., Soflano, M., Chaudy, Y., Adejo, W., & Connolly, T. M. (2022). A systematic review of technologies and standards used to develop rule-based clinical decision support systems. Health and Technology, 12(4), 713–727. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12553-022-00672-9
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