Response and Attitudes of Undergraduate Nursing students Towards Computers in Health Care

Background: Computer knowledge and skills are becoming essential components of technology in nursing education and practice. To date, research that examined the attitudes of nursing students who are enrolled in baccalaureate programs towards technology in healthcare is limited. Aim: The present study was focused on the attitudes of Baccalaureate Nursing Students’ towards computers in health care. Methodology: A descriptive study design using a quantitative approach and structured questionnaire was used to measure the nursing students’ attitudes towards computer usage. A sample of 161 BSN students participated in this study. Results: Our findings revealed that more than three fourth of the participants (n=124, 77.0%) had realistic views of current computer capabilities and applications in health care as indicated in their responses to the questionnaire. Further, the mean score of the participants was 60.71 ±7.22 (M±SD) which indicates the participants felt comfortable in using user-friendly computer applications. Conclusion: The findings indicate that under graduate nursing students generally held positive attitudes towards the use of computers in health care. However, students received limited computer exposure as part of their curriculum and may not be adequately prepared to work independently with computers in the workplace once they graduate. Thus, the researchers suggested integrating nursing informatics with in a leveled way throughout nursing curriculum.