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Aims and Objectives: To support policy planning for health, the barriers to the use of health information and computer technology (ICT) by nurses in Australia were determined., Background: Australia, in line with many countries, aims to achieve a better quality of care and health outcomes through effective and innovative use of health information. Nurses form the largest component of the health workforce. Successful adoption of ICT by nurses will be a requirement for success. No national study has been undertaken to determine the barriers to adoption., Design: A self-administered postal survey was conducted., Method: A questionnaire was distributed to 10,000 members of the Australian Nursing Federation. Twenty possible barriers to the use of health ICT uptake were offered and responses were given on a five point Likert scale., Results: Work demands, access to computers and lack of support were the principal barriers faced by nurses to their adoption of the technology in the workplace. Factors that were considered to present few barriers included age and lack of interest. While age was not considered by the respondents to be a barrier, their age was positively correlated with several barriers, including knowledge and confidence in the use of computers., Conclusions: Results indicate that to use the information and computer technologies being brought into health care fully, barriers that prevent the principal users from embracing those technologies must be addressed. Factors such as the age of the nurse and their level of job must be considered when developing strategies to overcome barriers., Relevance to Clinical Practice: The findings of the present study provide essential information not only for national government and state health departments but also for local administrators and managers to enable clinical nurses to meet present and future job requirements.

This article reports on the views of Australian nurses as to their use of computers in the workplace. Data were collected by questionnaires mailed to 10,000 members of the 150,000-member Australian Nursing Federation, which represents 60% of the Australian nursing workforce. The response rate was 43.3%. Computer use was 20% by assistants in nursing, rising to 75% by enrolled nurses and to more than 95% by RNs. Principal uses for the computers by the nurses were for access to patients' records and for internal communication. Most respondents (79%) agreed that the use of computers had improved information access. Only 9.4% considered that adoption of a national electronic health record would not be useful to healthcare. Fewer than 5% stated that they have no interest in computers, and 87% considered that their age was never or rarely a barrier to their use of the technology. However, not all aspects of computer introduction to nursing were positive. The proportions of respondents who considered that the use of computers had made their work easier, reduced duplication of data entry, and reduced errors in handing patient data were only 42%, 32%, and 31%, respectively. Results demonstrate a positive attitude toward information technology by Australian nurses but identify issues that must be addressed to support continued interest and engagement.

Competencies by nurses in information technology (IT) are essential to health care in Australia yet data suggest deficiencies in access and use. A study commissioned by the Australian Government aimed to determine the extent of access and use and the barriers to the use of IT among nurses across Australia. A survey was distributed to 10,000 members of the Australian Nursing Federation with a 43% overall response rate. Fewer than 15% of nurses did not use computers as part of their work. The greatest use was for client records, patient pathology and radiology results and professional development. IT uptake in health is supported by nurses who are, however frustrated by limitations to access and software that is not fit for purpose. A lack of confidence in using IT was noted by many nurses. Fewer than 20% had received pre-registration training in any aspect of IT and only 30% post registration. In addition to training, high work load, numbers of computers and inadequate technical support were the major barriers to computer use.

Objective: To investigate student supervisor experiences of supervising students on clinical placements since the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background: Studies on the impact of COVID‐19 on student clinical placements have focused largely on student reports and have been specific to individual professions or topic areas. There is a need to investigate student supervisor experiences. This study was conducted in Queensland (Australia) in four regional and rural public health services and four corresponding primary health networks. Methods: The anonymous, mixed methods online survey, consisting of 35 questions, was administered to student supervisors from allied health, medicine, nursing and midwifery between May and August 2021. Numerical data were analysed descriptively using chi‐square tests. Free‐text comments were analysed using content analysis. Results: Complete datasets were available for 167 respondents. Overall trends indicated perceived significant disruptions to student learning and support, plus mental health and well‐being concerns for both students and supervisors. Extensive mask wearing was noted to be a barrier to building rapport, learning and teaching. Some positive impacts of the pandemic on student learning were also noted. Conclusions: This study has highlighted the perceived impact of the pandemic on supervisors' mental health, and on the mental health, learning and work readiness of students. This study provides evidence of the pandemic impacts on student clinical placements from a supervisor point of view. Findings can assist in future‐proofing clinical education and ensuring that students continue to receive learning experiences of benefit to them, meeting curriculum requirements, in the event of another pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives. Through comparison of two studies undertaken three years apart the opinions of nurses working in aged care facilities in Queensland were determined. Results will support policy planning for the Queensland Nurses Union. Background. An ageing population in Australia is placing increased demands on residential aged care facilities. In Queensland, the national situation is exacerbated by an influx of retirees from other states and territories. The ongoing problem of shortages of nurses in the workforce may be addressed by gaining further insight into the nurses’ own views of their conditions and experiences. Methods. One thousand nurses working in public and privately owned residential aged care facilities were surveyed by postal questionnaire in 2004. Results were compared with data collected in an identical study in 2001. Results. Respondents offered their opinions on working hours and conditions, professional development and experiences in nursing. The predominately female aged care nursing workforce is ageing. Reported workplace violence has increased substantially since 2001. Some improvements are reported in staff numbers, skill mix and workplace policies. Nurses expressed very serious concerns about pay, workload, stress, physical and emotional demands and staff morale. Conclusion. Working conditions for nurses in the residential aged care sector in Queensland must be addressed to retain the current nurses and to encourage new nurses to replace those that retire. Relevance to clinical practice. The findings of this study provide information not only for the Queensland Nurses Union but also policy makers and nurse managers both nationally and internationally on areas that need to be addressed to maintain the required workforce within the aged care sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competencies by nurses in information technology (IT) are essential to health care in Australia yet data suggest deficiencies in access and use. A study commissioned by the Australian Government aimed to determine the extent of access and use and the barriers to the use of IT among nurses across Australia. A survey was distributed to 10,000 members of the Australian Nursing Federation with a 43% overall response rate. Fewer than 15% of nurses did not use computers as part of their work. The greatest use was for client records, patient pathology and radiology results and professional development. IT uptake in health is supported by nurses who are, however frustrated by limitations to access and software that is not fit for purpose. A lack of confidence in using IT was noted by many nurses. Fewer than 20% had received pre-registration training in any aspect of IT and only 30% post registration. In addition to training, high work load, numbers of computers and inadequate technical support were the major barriers to computer use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]