Date of Award

Fall 12-2016

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Committee Chair

Dr. Patsy Anderson

Committee Chair Department

Nursing

Committee Member 2

Dr. Karen Rich

Committee Member 2 Department

Nursing

Committee Member 3

Dr. Michong Rayborn

Committee Member 3 Department

Nursing

Committee Member 4

Dr. Elizabeth Tinnon

Committee Member 4 Department

Nursing

Abstract

Background: Smartphones have a great potential for students to learn more efficiently. Students now have the ability to download applications with pertinent information in the palm of their hand for both educational and clinical duties. This descriptive correlational quantitative research examines whether student registered nurse anesthetists own and use smartphones as supplementary learning tools.

Methods: An online survey was sent through AANA to Masters and DNP student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) in the United States. Respondents were asked if they owned smartphones and how often they used smartphones for educational and clinical duties. Data Analysis was conducted using a Chi-square test to compare the differences in the baseline characteristics of the variables, and Stata 14 software was used for distribution analysis.

Results: A total of 469 Masters and DNP SRNAs responded, equating to a response rate of 16%. Of the 468 respondents, 99.36% owned smartphones. About 91.02% of the survey-taker owned anesthesia related applications. The result concluded that 94.65% using smartphone applications for medication formulary/drug reference, 73.49% for clinical scoring systems/medical calculations, 83.96% for case tips, 95.99% for communication and organization among colleagues, and only 23.84% for procedure documentation. The most beneficial characteristic was the quick access to information. The majority would be willing to use a program specific application. There were little significant differences across every variable in the answers provided.

Conclusion: This study found that an overwhelming majority of SRNA students in DNP and Master’s Programs throughout the United States owned and used smartphones. Most of students also endorsed an application specifically designed for their programs, and this data was corroborated across each variable tested.

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