Informatics: A Brief History Of Nursing Informatics

A computer is defined as any programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data. The fundamental idea of computing developed back in the 1200’s to help solve problems with a series of written procedures. In the early 1640’s, a hand powered adding machine, the mechanical calculator was manufactured. In the 1800’s, Joseph-Marie Jacquard built a loom that was weaved by reading punched holes stored on a small sheet of hardwood and when plates were inserted and powered by water, it read the patterns and created the weave. In 1892, a commercially successful printing calculator was introduced. In 1941, the first programmable calculator was developed and focused on mathematics and numbers (“A Brief History,” n.d.). In 1945, ENIAC, …show more content…
It comprises the practice of information processing and the engineering of information systems. It includes the study of systems that represent, process, and communicate information. Informatics considers the interaction between humans and information systems in company with the construction of computer interfaces. Informatics has four main concepts, which include information science, computer science, cognitive science, and domain science (“Informatics,” 2009). Health informatics is the examination of resources and methods for the management of health information. This area of examination aids in health information technology, medical practice and medical research. Electronic health and medical records, information exchange standards, and portable medical devices for the collection of data are included in this area of study (Rouse, 2014). Health informatics includes nursing informatics. Nursing informatics is the combination of nursing science, computer science and information science. Individuals help transport system information, nursing knowledge and data into the nursing field. Nurses translate the needs of patients and staff into computer programs to improve the productivity of nursing care (Marten, n.d.). I believe that nursing informatics could play huge role in my future nursing career. After learning what I have from this class I have become interested in furthering my career as a nursing informaticist. Even …show more content…
These include change theory, knowledge management theory, computer-mediated communication theory, and system theory. Change theory consists of stages that a person will go through in order to adjust to change. This theory is a three-stage model that is known as the unfreezing-change-refreeze model. It requires pervious learning to be rejected and replaced. This theory has three concepts including driving forces, restraining forces, and equilibrium. Driving forces facilitate change because it pushes the person towards the desired direction. Restraining forces delay change because it pushes the person towards the opposite direction of the change. Equilibrium is the action where driving forces equal restraining forces and no change happens. When disequilibrium is present, it becomes the motivation for the change. The human behavior is supported by the balance of the driving and restraining forces 9Lewin, 2011). The Knowledge Management theory, also known as the Information theory, is based off of knowledge management. Knowledge management is a discipline that strives for improvement in the performance of individuals by maintaining the present and future value of knowledge assets. The theory consist of four categories, including data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. Data represents the symbol that is like an empty point in space and time. The initial action is to try to find a way to attribute meaning to the data.