Effective in the fall of 2025, third- and fourth-semester School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing students rotating at University of Texas Medical Branch clinical locations will have access to the EPIC electronic health record system.
Providing students access to EPIC during their clinical rotations provides hands-on experience and gives them a deep understanding of the documentation requirements they will experience as a staff nurse, making them more confident and efficient when they enter the workforce, Chief Nursing Information Officer Dr. Kandice Bledsaw said.
“Opening EPIC access to nursing students is in alignment with UTMB's mission to improve health by delivering innovative education and training to UTMB students and workforce,” Bledsaw said.
“This new initiative will optimize student learning experiences and improve workforce readiness,” she said. “Here is how we are bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. It was important for us to do the right thing by equipping our students with the right tools to improve their confidence before starting their nursing careers.”
The initiative is designed to allow students to be ahead of the game and avoid having to adapt to the system after graduation, giving them more time to focus on patients than struggling with EHR workflows.
“This hands-on experience is invaluable in today's health care environment, where EHRs are an essential part of patient safety, communication and care coordination,” Bledsaw said. “This approach will undoubtedly help graduates transition smoothly into their roles and contribute to improved patient outcomes from day one.”