Week 6 Surfing the Tsunami

 Becoming adept in artificial intelligence (AI) is the final step of responding to AI advancements, according to Surfing the Tsunami. Getting directly involved in coding, learning to work with the data, and using the information for the greater good encompasses being adept. Using Python and R are two commonly used coding programming systems. In high school, there was a computer science class that used Java script. We learned how to create small computer program projects within the system. Coding is quite tedious and can be frustrating when the program is not doing what you anticipated. There are now newer advancements such as DataRobot or TensorFlow.

Machine learning is using data to answer questions. Training involves using data, and predictions includes answering questions. Data leads to training, a model is created, with predictions made, to answer the question(s) at hand. The 7 steps of machine learning include gathering data, preparing the data, choosing a model, training, evaluation, parameter tuning, and prediction. To further engage learning, the games seem particularly helpful as well as learning systems such as Coursera. I have used Coursera prior to starting graduate school when I wanted to learn something new or more about a given topic. There were multiple science topics to pick from and it was structured well. I plan on using it more in the future.

At my organization, there is a nursing user group (NUG), which is a part of the shared governance allowing nurses to participate in making improvements for the organization. Some projects include upgrading the phones, modifying charting, improving data collection for those who do audits, and changing the technology capabilities based on current needs and improvements. NUG works with the information technology department and the company that provides our infrastructure for charting to create the changes. There are limits to what we can change based on the programming capabilities within the system, however, it is possible to work together and find appropriate solutions. When testing was available, NUG participants were able to volunteer and practice the mock version. This allowed a first-hand approach to ensure the changes were correct and would be helpful for nurses to utilize on the units.

When completing my nursing practicum, there was a pre and post survey for the nursing education project. The data was collected via the staff education portal and translated into answering the questions of whether or not the objectives were adequately completed. Using technology to collect the data streamlined the ability to collect and organize the data to be useful. Machine learning can help streamline processes that would normally take much more time to collect data and can be automated. There is another survey platform that is used internally as well for data collection and streamlined response. This was especially helpful for contact tracing and submitting staff symptoms to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Once the response was logged in the data system, someone in infection prevention would contact the staff member and discuss in detail about the situation and a plan for the staff member. AI can be applicable to almost all jobs in some way, shape, or form. It just depends how much you want to utilize the technology benefits.