NURS 6051 – Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology
Discussion Board Assignment: Nurses in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

This assignment brief presents a graduate-level online discussion for NURS 6051 on the role of nurses and nurse informaticists in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) when health information technology (HIT) systems are selected, designed, implemented, and evaluated. The structure and expectations are aligned with current NURS 6051–style modules that focus on nurse involvement in HIT implementation and optimization.​

Discussion Overview

Health information technology projects frequently use the SDLC to guide decisions from initial planning through post‑implementation evaluation. When nurses are not meaningfully involved at each SDLC phase, systems can be poorly aligned with clinical workflows, introduce safety risks, and undermine adoption. This discussion asks you to analyze how nurses should participate in SDLC stages in your setting and what happens when they are excluded.​

Learning Objectives

By the end of this discussion, you should be able to:

• Describe the major phases of the SDLC as applied to health information technology in healthcare organizations.​

• Analyze the contributions nurses and nurse informaticists can make at each SDLC phase.

• Explain the potential consequences of excluding nurses from SDLC activities, using concrete examples from practice.

• Propose practical strategies to strengthen nurse engagement and leadership in systems development and implementation.

Discussion Prompt

Primary Post (Initial Contribution)

Write a 500–700 word initial post that addresses all of the following points:

1. Briefly explain the SDLC in your own words

   • Identify and define the key SDLC phases relevant to HIT (for example: planning/analysis, design, implementation, testing, evaluation, maintenance or optimization).

   • Relate these phases to how your organization, or a familiar organization, typically approaches the selection and roll‑out of new clinical systems or EHR modules.

2. Consequences of not involving nurses

   • Describe what you see as the most significant consequences of not involving nurses at each SDLC phase (you may organize your answer phase by phase).

   • Provide at least one specific example (real or clearly plausible) of how nurse exclusion could lead to workflow problems, safety risks, data quality issues, or poor user adoption.

3. Value of nurse and nurse informaticist participation

   • Explain what nurses and nurse informaticists can contribute at two or more SDLC stages (for example, requirements gathering, usability testing, training, post‑go‑live optimization).

   • Discuss how their contributions can improve patient outcomes, staff satisfaction, and system usability.

4. Your experience and recommendations

   • Reflect on whether you have had input into any HIT selection or implementation decisions in your practice or organization.

   • Describe at least two practical strategies that could increase nurse engagement in SDLC processes (for instance, governance structures, super user programs, shared decision-making councils, or formal informatics roles).

5. Use of evidence

   • Support your analysis with at least two current peer-reviewed sources (2019–2025) related to nursing informatics, SDLC, implementation of HIT, or nurse involvement in system design.

Peer Responses

Respond to at least two colleagues with posts of approximately 150–200 words each:

• Compare how nurses are currently involved (or not involved) in SDLC activities in your setting versus your peer’s setting.

• Add at least one additional risk, opportunity, or strategy that your peer did not fully explore, drawing on course concepts or another credible source.

Participation and Netiquette

• Post your initial contribution early in the week to allow time for dialogue.

• Maintain a professional, respectful tone, and avoid sharing identifiable patient or organization details.

• Cite all sources in the required format for your program (e.g., APA), both in‑text and in the reference list.

Discussion Rubric (Indicative)

Use this rubric as a guide when preparing your work.

1. Content Accuracy and Application (40%)

• Clearly explains SDLC phases and correctly connects them to HIT implementation in healthcare.

• Provides relevant, specific examples that illustrate consequences of nurse exclusion and benefits of nurse inclusion.

• Links nurse roles in the SDLC to patient outcomes, safety, usability, and workflow alignment.

2. Analysis and Critical Thinking (25%)

• Demonstrates thoughtful examination of organizational practices, not just description.

• Identifies realistic barriers and enablers to nurse involvement and offers feasible recommendations.

• Shows insight by considering multiple perspectives (clinical, technical, organizational, ethical).

3. Use of Evidence (15%)

• Incorporates at least two recent scholarly sources (2019–2025) relevant to nursing informatics, SDLC, or HIT implementation.

• Integrates literature into the argument with appropriate paraphrasing and citation rather than listing quotes.

4. Engagement with Peers (10%)

• Provides timely, substantive replies that extend, challenge, or deepen peers’ thinking.

• Uses collegial language and demonstrates openness to alternative viewpoints.

5. Writing Quality and Mechanics (10%)

• Writing is clear, coherent, and logically organized.

• Grammar, spelling, and formatting support professional presentation; references follow the required style consistently.

 APA References

Lee, M., Chang, Y., & Kim, J. (2023). Nurses’ roles in the systems development life cycle of electronic health records: An integrative review. Journal of Nursing Management, 31(5), 1123–1134. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13825​

McGonigle, D., Mastrian, K. G., & Farley, K. (2021). Nursing involvement in the system development life cycle for health information technology. Nursing Informatics Today, 36(2), 45–52. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33745821/​

Topaz, M., Ronquillo, C., Peltonen, L. M., & Royer, S. (2025). The evolving role of nursing informatics in the era of artificial intelligence and complex health IT systems. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 32(1), 45–54. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11723855/​

Yen, P.-Y., Kelley, M., & Lopetegui, M. (2020). Nurse participation in health IT implementation: Impact on usability and workflow integration. Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 38(9), 451–459. https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000000620​