Module 6 post

I have enjoyed the online course, the flexibility was wonderful over the summer. It did take a little getting used to as far as scheduling and spacing out assignments. I especially enjoyed the modules about EHRs and am excited about the prospect of using them in the future. My least favorite part of the class of course was studying the computer systems and security. I am currently taking a computer class but haven't progressed to the point where this was easy for me to understand.

Both patients and health care providers may want to create a blog and for a similar purpose: that of obtaining and/or sharing information related to a certain condition. I have read several blogs from medical clinicians about various illnesses and found them interesting, especially those from other countries. Ethical considerations regarding privacy issues are crucial; any identifying information about a clincian's clients must be kept from a public blog.

This module's readings reminded me of a recent comic in the newspaper. A gentleman was telling his wife that he knew things, but he didn't believe them:). Now I think that I am not sure what I know:) On serious contemplation, I believe that my decision making will be improved by being aware now of the biases and of potential errors in judgement.

thoughts on teaching

In my role working with the elderly and/or disabled, teaching occurs both with those individuals and with their families, friends, and caregivers. There is always medication teaching, treatment option teaching, and health promotion teaching. I don't believe there exists a nursing role that does not include teaching. We are always teaching by example I believe whether we like that or not.

After searching PubMed for the topic osteoporosis and medication use, I checked the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC). I have researched at this site in the past and referred family and friends to it as well. I used the advanced practice nurses and guideline categories as limits at this site, and glanced at nine specific results. I looked at the Management of osteoporosis in postmenapausal women: 2010 position statement of the North American Menopause Society. Recommendations as well as listing the type of evidence supporting the recommendations is included at the site in an easy to use format. I googled osteoporosis and medication and of course had a lot of results. I scrolled through Google Scholar and recognized several articles from the PubMed site. Google included some topics I was not expecting such as how to pay for your medications which could be helpful. It also contained advertisements for medications. I always find the NGC helpful. I hesitate to use Google much because I feel the databases such as PubMed and CINAL are more pertinent to practice. If I want to refer a lay person to a reliable site presented in an easy but accurate and understandable form, I send them to mayoclinic.com.

Hi. I am Donna Howard. I am in the Adult NP program, and also plan to complete extra clinicals in order to sit for the geriatric certification as well. I plan to graduate in spring of 2012. I currently work in an assisted living facility; I have been there just over 9 years. I am new at blogging.

When thinking about why I as a graduate level nurse need to know about information management, my first thought was because there is just so much information! Unless it is organized, it will be difficult to use. There is currently an emphasis on evidence based practice, this will require accurate information management. Clinicians will also need to be prepared to use electronic health records as they are implemented.

Only very basic information technology is used in my current clinical setting. I have programs available to tract certain physical parameters such as weights and blood pressures. There is also availability to track assessment dates. An attempt was made a few years ago to upgrade to a system which would allow much more access to and use of IT in the assisted living facilities but problems arose in several areas. The state inspectors could not access some of the nursing documentation, so we had to go back to paper for those items, and the system was not compatible with the medication documentation we were using. I think eventually a system will be found which will increase the use of IT in that setting.