The normalization of mobile devices in clinical nursing education and in clinical practice

Significant knowledge gaps exist in how students and clinicians recognize the meaning or coherence of using mobile technology in practice, and how they have used this technology to develop communities or learners. In investigating these gaps, our research has looked at various elements including what social or organizational factors influence the normalization of the practice of using mobile technology in clinical education, and as students' transition to licensed clinician. This descriptive research currently in progress uses qualitative and quantitative methods over a six year period (three within nursing education, three as licensed clinicians) to ascertain the confidence of our participants in information and communication technology, usage information, and their views on factors which promote or inhibit successful normalization of mobile technology at the point of care. Preliminary data based on Normalization Process Theory and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model indicates that mobile technology is being normalized in our students' social realm but hindered in the clinical realm by health care policy and lack of understanding of the affordances available through the technology.