Graduate nursing student self-assessment: Fundamental technology skills

Abstract

A gap exists in technology demands in the nursing field as well as appropriate educational strategies to assist students in developing skills to meet these demands. This study assesses graduate nursing students’ perceived skills regarding specific technology related to health care. The results of a brief researcher-developed survey indicated that students’ perceived that technology skills were not critical to entering the nursing field, however, they were critical for their present position and essential for promotion. Respondents indicated they had limited opportunities to utilize these technologies and increase their skill sets and the nurses viewed training and barrier reduction as important to adopting new technology skills.  Implications for nursing education and practice are presented.