Evolving Role of the Nursing Informatics Specialist.

The scope of nursing informatics practice has been evolving over the course of the last 5 decades, expanding to address the needs of health care organizations and in response to the evolution of technology. In parallel, the educational preparation of nursing informatics specialists has become more formalized and shaped by the requisite competencies of the role. In this chapter, the authors describe the evolution of nursing informatics roles, scope and focus of practice, and anticipated role responsibilities and opportunities for the future. Further, implications and considerations for the future are presented.