title: Mobile computing in a New Zealand Bachelor of Nursing Programme.
abstract: Mobile computing is rapidly becoming a reality in New Zealand health care settings. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are the most frequently used of these mobile technologies, giving nurses access to clinical learning resources, including drug references, medical encyclopaedias and diagnostic information. The implementation of mobile computing at Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) will ensure graduates of our Bachelor of Nursing Programme are able to meet health care service demands for knowledge in contemporary information technologies as well as the information technology requirements defined by the Nursing Council of New Zealand and the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003 for registration as a nurse in New Zealand. This opinion paper presents strategies for the implementation of mobile computing as a core element of the curriculum for the Bachelor of Nursing Programme at Wintec in Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton, New Zealand. nupam@wintec.ac.nz
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McClunie-Trust
mesh_terms: D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D009520:New Zealand; D013685:Telecommunications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*