Computer anxiety and nursing informatics needs of graduate nursing students

• Main Author: Clark, Margot Elizabeth
• Format: Others
• Published: FIU Digital Commons 1997
• Subjects: Nursing
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2374; http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3560&context=etd

The impact of technology in today's society affects every aspect of life. This study focused on exploring the extent of computer anxiety among graduate nursing students using the Oetting's computer anxiety scale. Computer and information seeking skills required for both education and advanced nursing practice were also assessed using a survey by Jacobs and dela Cruz. Special emphasis was placed on retrieval of information from large data-bases. The conceptual framework was based on Roy's Adaptation Model. The sample consisted of 28 students enrolled in a nursing informatics class in a south Florida university. Frequency distribution, and t-tests were used to analyze the data. The results indicate that graduate nursing students have a mild computer anxiety. Perceived informatics needs included Internet use, electronic mail, compiling research, and thesis construction. Results of the study may be used to identify future curriculum content for nursing informatics classes.