Improving the information technology competency of nurses in critical care units: an interventional study
Abstract Introduction To convert nurses of the critical care units into active users of evidence-based practices, their IT competency should be improved by appropriate planning. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a training program on nurses' IT competency in critical care units.Methods In this interventional study, 60 nurses working in critical care units of hospitals were randomly assigned into the control and intervention groups. The three-day workshop on IT skills training was conducted for the intervention group. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire and Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment Tool (NICAT) before and one month after the intervention.Results In the pretest stage, both groups were at the competent level with regard to the competency level and no significant difference was observed between them in the pretest. However, in the posttest, the IT competency of the intervention group significantly increased compared to the control group. This showed that the intervention group was at the proficient level.Conclusions Education enhanced the nurses' IT competency in critical care units. So, in order to provide nurses with the latest scientific information and to promote high quality evidence-based practices, related educational programs should be added to continuous educational programs for all clinical nurses.