Introduction to Computers for Healthcare Professionals

Irene Joos holds a baccalaureate degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s in nursing and a master’s in information science as well as a PhD in education all form the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to her current position as Associate Professor, IST La Roche College, she served from 2003-2012 as the Director of Online Learning as well as full time faculty and prior to that as the Director of Library and Instructional Technology at La Roche. Before coming to La Roche College, she was a faculty member and served as the interim Director of Learning Resources at the School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh. Her teaching experience includes nursing informatics courses, and information systems and technology courses as well as a CORE course Virtual Communities and Social Media. She has presented at national and international conferences and has several publications related to her areas of expertise.

Ramona Nelson holds a baccalaureate degree in nursing from Duquesne University and holds both a master's degree in nursing and in information science, as well as a PhD in education from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition she completed a post-doc fellowship at the University of Utah. Prior to her current position as president of her own consulting company, Ramona was a Professor of Nursing and Chair of the Department of Nursing at Slippery Rock University. Her teaching at the University included courses related to healthcare informatics, community health, and research. All of these courses were offered via web-based distance education. Her publications include textbooks, monographs, book chapters, journal articles, WWW publications, abstracts and newsletters. She was named a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2004 and was inducted into the NLN Academy of Nursing Education Fellows in 2007. In 2008 she received the Eleventh Annual Recognition Award for Advancement of Computer Technology in Healthcare from Rutgers University College of Nursing. She is currently a member of the NLN Strategic Planning Committee and ANA Committee on Nursing Practice Information Infrastructure.