Web Copy Writing
I have been reading up on writing web copy tonight. I looked at June Kaminski's web site on writing copy and realized that my writing is too didactic by far. I am glad I saw this because I understand now that I need to sharpen up my writing and make it more interesting.

I am impressed that you really need to understand your purpose when you write web copy. And that you really need to focus on that. And how do you do that? Probably by practicing . . . but also by critiquing what you do. Submitting yourself to self-correction process or a list of criteria.

I guess we all do that to some degree. But most of us are so busy "expressing ourselves" or self-validating via our text that we are unable to respond to "critique" either by self or others. We are unable to improve because we are holding so tight to "ourselves" in our writing.

From what I have read tonight, what we should be hanging on to is what the "audience" wants. I don't mean that you should tell them what they want. I mean that we should tell them in a way that they want.

Kind of like learning styles. Maybe you could call it "reading styles." or something.

Changing Nurses' Attitudes

Although many nurses are currently using PDAs, they are still in the minority. In order for nurses to accept PDAs as one of their nursing tools, they need more information. Nurses often struggle to accept information technology (IT), and therefore will likely struggle against using PDAs.

Attitudes

Part of the problem is that nursing culture does not encourage nurses to use IT to manage information (The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice, 1997, as cited by Hebert). This is compounded by the phenomenon of computer anxiety. Orr (n.d.) described computer anxiety as a disproportionate fear that is associated with decreased use and avoidance of IT. Another problem reported by Hebert, 1998, is that IT has often required more time for documentation. Nurses were frustrated when IT did not delivery promised efficiency.

However, nurses are all ready skilled in information management. Hebert (1998) noted that nurses collect and organize data into information in daily practice. In addition, nurses continually use information to guide their practice.

Nurses can adopt PDA use by moving through stages of innovation acceptance. To start, they must become aware of PDAs and receive information about PDAs. They must be able to visualize themselves as PDA users and to understand how to obtain and use a PDA. They need to understand how this will impact their practice. As they gain skill and comfort with PDAs (and IT) they will be knowledgeable users and developers. Hebert (1998) pointed out that these nurses will make the difference as they shape the technology, not the technology itself.

Awareness

PDAs offer nurses data on demand. They can find answers at the patient’s bedside. They no longer need to visit the nurses’ station to access a book or computer.
PDAs a mobile, light, have a relatively long battery life. PDA databases can be routinely updated with current information. Organizations can benefit with electronic policy and procedures. Nurses should be aware of other PDA benefits of increased productivity and information portability.

Healthcare professionals can benefit from PDA use. According to Forrester's Consumers Technographics 2003 North American Bench Mark Study, 408,020 physicians and 559,800 nurses are currently using PDAs (cited by Stolworthy, 2003). While nurses are keeping up with the doctors in numbers, they are behind in percentages.
Summary
Nurses’s attitudes towards IT and PDAs are holding them back from full realization of PDA use and benefits. PDA awareness will lead the attitude shift toward increased PDA use among nurses.

Selected Learning Resources


A Health Care Library at the Bedside
The Computer Anxiety Scale


References
Bauer, K. 2003). A health care library at the bedside [Electronic version, powerpoint]. Yale School of Nursing, Wellesley College. Retrieved on December 29, 2003 from http://info.med.yale.edu/library/nursing/pda/pdamass.ppt


The computer anxiety scale [Electronic version] Retrieved on January 26, 2004 from http://www.uncc.edu/pagoolka/ComputerAnxiety-intro.html

Hebert, M. (n.d.) National nursing informatics project discussion paper [Electronic version]. Retrieved on December 8, 2003 from http://www.cna-nurses.ca/pages/resources/nni/nni_discussion_paper.doc

Orr, L. V. (n.d.) Computer anxiety [Electronic version]. University of Southern Main, Communication 499. Retrieved on January 26, 2004 from http://www.usm.maine.edu/~com/lindap~1.htm

Stolworthy, Y. (2003). RNs are mobilizing [Electronic version]. Retrieved on December 29, 2003 from http://www.rnpalm.com/RNs_are_Mobilizing.htm