Use of Technology in the Classroom to Increase Professional Preparation

• Lessons learned about incorporating an electronic medical record (EMR) into a foundational advanced practice registered nurse course.
• Academic EMRs fill the gap when clinical electronic documentation opportunities are not available.
• Interprofessional activities are possible using EMR-based consultation and collaboration.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Master’s Education require advanced practice nursing students to be familiar with electronic technologies and consult with other disciplines to coordinate care. To expand beyond learning basic electronic medical record documentation, collaboration with school of pharmacy students for submitting and incorporating consults on specific patients was included into the assignments of learning clinical SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, and plan) notes. Significant revision of the original Cerner (Kansas City, MO) cases was required to provide a primary care focus and meet the needs of 7 different majors. Technology facilitated an interprofessional experience that benefited both student groups. The key lessons learned are shared.