Assume you are a nurse manager on a unit where a new nursing documentation system is to be implemented. You want to ensure that the system will be usable and acceptable for the nurses impacted. You realize a nurse leader must be on the implementation team.
Review the steps of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and reflect on the scenario presented.
Consider the benefits and challenges associated with involving a nurse leader on an implementation team for health information technology.
develop a 2- to 3-page role description for a graduate-level nurse to guide his/her participation on the implementation team. The role description should be based on the SDLC stages and tasks and should clearly define how this individual will participate in and impact each of the following steps:
Planning and requirements definition
Analysis
Design of the new system
Implementation
Post-implementation support
Sample Answer
Clinical Informatics Specialist & Implementation Lead
Reports to: Nurse Manager, [Unit Name] Position Type: Full-Time, Project-Based (Duration of EHR implementation project) Department: Nursing & Clinical Informatics Date: August 1, 2025
Position Summary
The Clinical Informatics Specialist & Implementation Lead is a graduate-level nurse with advanced clinical and informatics knowledge. This individual serves as the primary liaison between the nursing staff and the health information technology (HIT) implementation team. The core objective of this role is to champion the successful adoption of a new nursing documentation system by ensuring it is clinically sound, workflow-efficient, and user-friendly. This individual will apply principles of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to guide and lead nursing participation from initial planning through post-implementation support, ultimately ensuring that the new system enhances patient safety, improves care outcomes, and meets the needs of the end-users. The role requires a unique blend of clinical expertise, critical thinking, project management skills, and a systems-level perspective.