Assessment of Nurses’ Competencies in Informatics –Towards Embracing Digital Future

Background: Today, Information technology has taken a lead in healthcare reform and mandates healthcare providers to have basic computer knowledge, as well as informatics competencies, to manage and use technology to deliver care. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the competencies of the nurses in the health informatics. Materials and Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted in 2023, among 100 nurses selected by simple random technique, working in a tertiary care center. The data was collected using the pretested and predetermined tools such as background variables proforma and structured questionnaire on nursing informatics competencies through self-reporting method. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS 20. Results: The results of this study revealed that 76% of nurses were proficient in nursing informatics competencies. The global mean score of nursing informatics competencies among nurses was 156.65 ± 43.68 with category wise mean score of 57.15±15.8, 51.23±14.12 and 48.26±17.64 in basic computer skills, informatics knowledge and potential informatics skill respectively. Conclusion: The modest level of proficiency in informatics among practicing nurses necessitates the focus of educational institutions and planning in this area. Strengthening the nurses on Nursing informatics skills, enhances better decision making in clinical situations, reducing errors, avoiding duplication of documents and improve nurses on providing patient care.