title: Nursing informatics needs assessment. Are distance programs needed?
abstract: Nursing informatics is a small but growing specialty area in nursing. The authors describe the results of a needs assessment designed to determine interest in a distance-based master's degree and certificate program in nursing informatics. Information was also collected on computer and Internet proficiency for a large sample of BSN graduates. Results suggest that there is an interest in informatics, although somewhat less than was found previously. Respondents indicated that a knowledge of nursing informatics could provide additional career opportunities and that there was a general lack of programs available.
authors.affiliation: Regents College, University of the State of New York, Albany, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Nesler
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Sopczyk
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Fortunato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003197:Computer Literacy; D020375:Education, Distance; D004506:Education, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment