Informatics Capstone Ideas for Excelsior College

Info(RN)matics · Jan 21, 2014

Have you already found a project coordinator? Much depends on the project(s) he/she will be working on during the time you have to start working on the project and have it completed.

NNYNurse50 · Jan 21, 2014

Info(RNmatics, yes I have located a coordinator willing to assist me. After reading my invitation, it mentions that I need to develop an independent project. My initial thoughts were that I could become involved with the organizations projects.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 24, 2014

Let us know how it works out! I'm going to be doing my EC MSN Capstone this summer, most likely. My biggest concern is finding a preceptor, I came up with a few solid ideas already.

Info(RN)matics · Jan 27, 2014

Info(RN)matics, yes I have located a coordinator willing to assist me. After reading my invitation, it mentions that I need to develop an independent project. My initial thoughts were that I could become involved with the organizations projects.

See, the challenge is that your project coordinator has to be willing to work on your project, and it has to be do-able within the time-frame of the Capstone. It does not have to be and over-the-top project/idea - even a simple idea will do.

Brainstorm with the coordinator, and learn about the project(s) he/she will be will be working on for the four months after you have to submit your proposal, and pick the best one. People are usually extremely busy with many competing responsibilities in informatics-related departments, and if the project is out-of-the-way for your coordinator, it will be a constant challenge for both your coordinator as well as you to find time away from his/her usual responsibilities to give your project the attention it needs.

If you tag along with the coordinator in one of their own projects, you can ask a lot of questions and learn a lot about the processes, the rationale behind the decisions and steps, and document the process and your involvement in it for your Capstone. You'll learn all the INs and OUTs of the project, and will be able to 'own it' for your Capstone presentations and seminars.

NNYNurse50 · Jan 29, 2014

Pixie.RN, glad to hear from you again! I have developed an amazing project idea but have concerns related to finding a preceptor now. I live a rural area of northern New York and there not one health care institution that has all of the preceptor requirements. In fact, there is not one Nursing Informatics graduate in the area. This is what I have found to date. I work for the DOD US/MEDDAC/North Regional Medical Command as a civilian nurse for the Army. There is no MSN prepared Nurse Informaticist, in fact, there is no Nurse Informatics Specialist. However, we have a Clinical Systems Analyst/Business Process Re-Engineer with either an Associates in Information Technology or BS. Extensive experience in clinical workflows and Decision Support Systems for the MTF. 18+ years of direct contact patient care, NCOIC of PT, AHIMA licensed, licensed PT assistant. I am hoping to get an exception. Do you think this do-able?

NNYNurse50 · Jan 29, 2014

Info(RN)matics, I am very grateful for your response! This is very helpful in understanding the project ideals. I have been handed a project within the Dept of the Army involving a FMEA of patient safety related to improper administration of Pediatric Immunizations. This is huge....nurses administering expired vaccines and too many vaccines and I intend to develop a decision support system that automates nurses vaccine administration. That said, how flexible is EC on preceptors? I have an Clinical Systems Analyst with Dept of Army experience in Clinical Systems, 18+ years in patient care contact as a PT assistant. There is no one in the area that meets the credential requirements.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 30, 2014

I have no idea if they'll go for that, but if you don't ask, the answer will always be no! I would contact an advisor and ask sooner rather than later. Good luck and let us know what you hear! :)

NNYNurse50 · Jan 31, 2014

To date, the Informatics preceptor that met all criteria was laid off. The above mentioned is the best option available. However, a LTC serving as the Chief of the specified practice is an M.D, and also obtained an MSN in Public Health in the past decade. I now have a LTC, Chief of a medical command, and the senior clinical analyst willing to serve as dual preceptors!! BTW: Arm Nurse Corp birthday coming up!! Big celebration at Ft Drum!

Info(RN)matics · Jan 31, 2014

That said, how flexible is EC on preceptors? I have an Clinical Systems Analyst with Dept of Army experience in Clinical Systems, 18+ years in patient care contact as a PT assistant. There is no one in the area that meets the credential requirements.

I think they will accept this person. Although the preceptor qualifications are not extremely clear on this, all they want is a Master's prepared professional with at least two years of informatics experience. If the project is relevant to 'nursing' informatics, it is just an added bonus!

I have no idea if they'll go for that, but if you don't ask, the answer will always be no!

Yes - please ask! If you do not get a reponse to your message/email, by all means call! Unfortunately, you need to get this all sorted out in good time and you cannot be worried about irritating them.

Good luck and let us know what you hear! :)

Yes - and please let us know what you hear!

NNYNurse50 · Jan 31, 2014

Thank you for your feedback! It is very helpful. I did place a call to the Faculty Director and look forward to receiving a return call. Will keep you posted. In addition, my project choice has captured the attention of MEDDAC Command and has turned into quite the FMEA initiative. I was swarmed by IMD when I requested a meeting with nursing team and they suddenly appeared!

Info(RN)matics · Feb 3, 2014

Thank you for your feedback! It is very helpful. I did place a call to the Faculty Director and look forward to receiving a return call. Will keep you posted. In addition, my project choice has captured the attention of MEDDAC Command and has turned into quite the FMEA initiative. I was swarmed by IMD when I requested a meeting with nursing team and they suddenly appeared!

All the attention can lead to superb job prospects in future. Wish you all the best, NNYNurse50!