A formal specification of the role of the informatics
nurse specialist is also offered. A separation of role
from definition may provide stability for the defini-
tion of nursing informatics, as the practice compo-
nent is more susceptible to change in rapidly evolv-
ing technology and health care environments. The
role of the informatics nurse specialist is:
To employ informatics theories, concepts, methods,
and tools to analyze information and information
system requirements; design, select, implement, and
evaluate information systems, data structures, and
decision-support mechanisms that support patients,
nurses, and their human–computer interactions
within health care contexts; and to facilitate the cre-
ation of new nursing knowledge.