NURS 5051/NURS 6051 The Nurse Leader as Knowledge Worker
The concept of the nurse as a knowledge worker derives from the nurse’s use of information by converting it into knowledge (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). As nurses we rely on data to inform and guide us in the care of patients in
combination with our education and acquired knowledge (2017). Peter Drucker originated the label of the knowledge worker (2017). Cognitive functioning predominantly comes into play for the nurse as knowledge worker due to scholarly education needed to be a nurse and then the need to analyze data in relation to our knowledge (2017). The nurse accesses the patient information through the electronic medical record (EMR), assessment of the patient and then with the use of evidence-based information either obtained through education and known knowledge and then is entrusted to implement the needed care (2017). NURS 5051/NURS 6051 The Nurse Leader as Knowledge Worker
The nurse as knowledge worker utilizes their knowledge and ability to access the information needed to care for the patient (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). Nurses are highly educated and acquire experience continually through their practice Use of the plethora of data available (2017). The nurse knowledge worker analyzes data such as symptoms, laboratory results and vital signs and makes decisions on care numerous times a day (2017). The result is a highly experienced nurse knowledge worker who has honed skills to determine a course of action of both similar diagnostic episodes and of previously unexperienced situations (2017). The intelligence and flexibility required to respond to the illnesses encountered speaks volumes the nurse knowledge workers significance in the healthcare systems success (2017).
Nursing informatics is a division of informatics (Sweeney, 2017). Nursing Informatics incorporates information and computer science with nursing science (2017). Nursing informatics enables nurses to conduct and disseminate information and nursing insights of practice (2017). Nurse leaders are vital in their role as nurse knowledge workers to disseminate information to members of the staff and keep them informed of data, information systems upgrades with the goal of improved care delivery (Conrad & Sharrod, 2011). The nurse manager as leader of a hospital unit is
tasked with determining what data is needed through dialogue with the staff nurses (2011). Their input is essential in order to achieve the highest level of patient care (2011). NURS 5051/NURS 6051 The Nurse Leader as Knowledge Worker
The term “knowledge worker” was first coined by management consultant and author Peter Drucker in his book, The Landmarks of Tomorrow (1959). Drucker defined knowledge workers as high-level workers who apply theoretical and analytical knowledge, acquired through formal training, to develop products and services. Does this sound familiar?
Nurses are very much knowledge workers. What has changed since Drucker’s time are the ways that knowledge can be acquired. The volume of data that can now be generated and the tools used to access this data have evolved significantly in recent years and helped healthcare professionals (among many others) to assume the role of knowledge worker in new and powerful ways.
In this Assignment, you will consider the evolving role of the nurse leader and how this evolution has led nurse leaders to assume the role of knowledge worker. You will prepare a PowerPoint presentation with an infographic (graphic that visually represents information, data, or knowledge. Infographics are intended to present information quickly and clearly.) to educate others on the role of nurse as knowledge worker. NURS 5051/NURS 6051 The Nurse Leader as Knowledge Worker
Reference: Drucker, P. (1959). The landmarks of tomorrow. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
To Prepare:
The Assignment:
The informatics nurse as nurse leader is a fundamental position who analyses
data and system functioning (Curren, 2004). The informatic nurse leader has the
Responsibility to determine what work can be disposed of due to causing unnecessary
work (2004). The informatics nurse leader creates new processes to improve
nurses performance (2004). Evidence-based practices are dispersed through informatics
Through the facilitation of the informatics nurse (2004). The informatics nurses role
includes management of projects, education, research, conferences, assessment of
systems, development of policy, show data, knowledge and information (2004).
Chief Nurse Executives are nurse leaders are knowledge workers who advocate
for nursing to achieve full benefits of use of nursing informatic systems (Remus, 2016).
The transformation to informatics in healthcare systems is promoted by the Chief
Nursing Officers to coordinate with data needs for knowledge and confirmation to
facilitate nursing practice to achieve excellence in care (2016).
References
Conrad, S. & Sherrod, D. (2011). Nurse managers as knowledge workers.
Nursing Management. 42(2). Springhouse.
Doi:10.1097/01.NUMA.0000393010.34127.44
Curran, C. (2004). The informatics nurse: Helping to building the
knowledge Infrastructure for nursing. Nurse Leader. 2(3).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2004.03.012
McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the
foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett
Learning.
References
Remus, S. (2016). The Big Data Revolution: Opportunities for Chief Nurse
Executives. Informatics Perspectives. Researchgate.net
Sweeney, R. (2017). Healthcare Informatics. Online Journal of Nursing
Informatics. 21(1). NURS 5051/NURS 6051 The Nurse Leader as Knowledge Worker