The Nurse Leader as Knowledge Worker Henry Ehizokhale Walden University Transforming Nursing And Health Through Technology NURS 6051 Nov 27, 2019 1 The Nurse Leader as Knowledge Worker 2 Purpose Explain the concept of a knowledge worker. Define and explain nursing informatics and highlight the role of a nurse leader as a knowledge worker. The concept of a knowledge worker The term “knowledge worker” was first coined by Peter Drucker. Ducker defined knowledge workers as high-level workers who apply theoretical and analytical knowledge, acquired through formal training, to develop products and services (CFI, 2019). He emphasized that due to the high level of productivity and creativity of knowledge worker, that they would be the most valuable assets in the 21st century organization. Professionals that can be referred to as knowledge worker includes engineers, pharmacists, architects, financial analysts, public accountants, physicians, scientists, design thinkers, and lawyers. Furthermore, knowledge workers have a high degree of expertise, experience, education and the primary purpose of their jobs involve the distribution, creation and application of knowledge. 3 Definition of a knowledge worker by Peter Drucker Professional that are referred to as knowledge worker Nursing Informatics Nursing Informatics is a subset of informatics, specific to the nursing field and the role of the nurse in the healthcare setting. There has been several interpretation of nursing informatics. The American Nurses Association (ANA), identified nursing informatics as a specialty that integrates nursing, science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, and knowledge in nursing practice (ANA, 2001, pg.17). 4 Nurse leader as a knowledge worker. A nurse leader is one who inspire others to work together to achieve a common goal, for instance enhanced patient care or satisfaction. All nurses are called to nurse leadership, however there are different levels of nurse leadership. Nurse leaders are expected to help the organization to fulfill the organization’s mission, vision, values, and strategies to achieve long-range plans. Nurse leaders part take in policy setting, overseeing quality measures are carried out, accountability for overall quality of patient care delivery, staff satisfaction and organizational outcomes. For a nurse leader as a knowledge worker to be productive in an organization, the nurse leader must understand that knowledge work requires continuous learning on the part of the knowledge worker, but equally continuous teaching on the part of the knowledge worker. Having said that, a knowledge worker nurse leader will depend hugely on evidenced based practice to be productive in a healthcare organization. The use of EBP by knowledge worker nurse leader will require learning and teaching. Most healthcare organizations or hospitals rely on evidenced based.