This book is the ideal gateway to all the professional possibilities this continuously evolving discipline has to offer. Describing the evolution of nursing informatics from its origins to current practice in today's complex, diverse healthcare environment, this book offers the next generation of nurse informaticists a keen understanding of the discipline, best practices, and its scope of influence in healthcare. The book also explores Nursing Informatics as it is practiced today, including technology creation and implementation and the development of influential policies and best practices. Special features include 15 essays from nurses in myriad fields of influence, including academia, research, clinical settings, the executive suite, consulting, and government, as well as an Appendix featuring case profiles with questions listed by chapter.