Leveraging the Electronic Record: Nursing Student Development of Clinical Judgment

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

Publisher

Slack Incorporated

Source Publication

Journal of Nursing Education

Source ISSN

0148-4834

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20260506-01

Abstract

Background:

Nursing organizations have called for competencies that entry-level nurses must demonstrate for transition to practice, including demonstrating clinical judgment and use of informatics tools like the electronic health record (EHR). More information is needed to understand how the EHR supports clinical judgment in nursing students.

Method:

This study employed a qualitative descriptive design. Semistructured interviews were conducted among prelicensure nursing students (N = 18) about EHR use. Content analysis was used to code statements in alignment with the domains of Tanner's clinical judgment model and the dimensions of the Lasater clinical judgment rubric.

Results:

Students utilized the EHR to engage in clinical judgments associated with safe medication administration. Students described utilizing the EHR to inform all domains of clinical judgment, yet they engaged in the reflection domain least. There were barriers to student EHR use.

Conclusion:

The EHR is an important contributor to nursing clinical judgment and should be thoroughly integrated within prelicensure curriculum

Comments

Journal of Nursing Education (2026). DOI. Online before print.

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