Applying IT-Related Business Process Reengineering In an Informatics Course for Graduate Nursing Programs

Introduction: Studies on methods of teaching informatics for graduate nursing programs are limited. This paper discusses the design and evaluation of an IT-related Business Process Reengineering (BPR) Project, one of the main assignments in an informatics course offered jointly for three graduate nursing programs. Challenges and lessons learned are also presented. Methods: Informatics and Patient Care Technology is a 3-credit, 16-week, hybrid, core graduate course that addresses advanced leadership roles in the clinical setting related to information systems. The course was developed based on IT Essentials of professional organizations. From spring 2013 to fall 2015, a total of 117 graduate nursing students were enrolled. IT-related BPR is a 7-week assignment designed using Adesola and Baines's (2006) BPR Implementation Framework to equip students with informatics skills necessary to lead IT improvement projects. Students evaluated the course in a reflective journal by answering 11 essay questions and via the IDEA system (Individual Development and Educational Assessment). Content analysis of narrative data was performed to categorize themes and trends concerning the IT-related BPR project.