Karen J. PhD Whitt

Learning to use electronic health records is essential for family nurse practitioner students to inform practice and clinical decision-making. Limited access to electronic health records during clinical training can lead to suboptimal use. Academic programs often rely on healthcare organizations to provide opportunities for students to learn electronic health record skills. However, clinical experiences are highly individualized, and students may not have access to electronic health records. Alternatives are needed to develop this critical competency. This study compared self-reported ratings regarding comfort and access to electronic health record documentation between students who participated in screen-based simulation and students who completed traditional clinical experiences with a preceptor during the last 70 hours of clinical training in one family nurse practitioner program. There was a significant difference in electronic health record access between students who participated in simulated versus traditional clinical experiences (P = .002). There were no significant differences in ratings of comfort using electronic health records between groups. Both groups reported limited access to electronic health records in the first 500 hours of clinical experience. However, students who participated in screen-based simulation reported a quarter-fold increase in electronic health record access during their last 70 hours of clinical training.

Previous research has linked improper electronic health record configuration and use with adverse patient events. In response to this problem, the US Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology developed the Safety and Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience guides to evaluate electronic health records for optimal use and safety features. During the course of their education, nursing students are exposed to a variety of clinical practice settings and electronic health records. This descriptive study evaluated 108 undergraduate and 51 graduate nursing students' ratings of electronic health record features and safe practices, as well as what they learned from utilizing the computerized provider order entry and clinician communication Safety and Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience guide checklists. More than 80% of the undergraduate and 70% of the graduate students reported that they experienced user problems with electronic health records in the past. More than 50% of the students felt that electronic health records contribute to adverse patient outcomes. Students reported that many of the features assessed were not fully implemented in their electronic health record. These findings highlight areas where electronic health records can be improved to optimize patient safety. The majority of students reported that utilizing the Safety and Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience guides increased their understanding of electronic health record features.

Many new faculty are being hired to fill the ever-increasing vacancies created by the attrition of current faculty members. To meet the diverse demands of today's educational climate, new faculty must develop an understanding of a variety of learning environments and skill in traditional and contemporary teaching strategies. This article presents storytelling as one strategy for educating potential new faculty in online instruction in an undergraduate nursing research course.