Background: It is important for nursing students to become comfortable with accessing point-of-care technology to support provision of safe, evidence-based care to patients.
Method: Smartphone applications (apps) were introduced into community screening settings in a first-semester undergraduate nursing health assessment course. The apps provided information about body mass index, as well as United States Preventive Services Task Force-recommended preventive services using the Agency for Health Research and Quality electronic preventive services selector app. Classroom activities prepared students using mock cases and real data, and evidence-based guidelines were used when counseling patients about individual results.
Results: Smartphone apps were well accepted by students and allowed students to transfer learning from the classroom and laboratory to the community setting.
Conclusion: Smartphone apps promote active learning and the long-term retention of knowledge. This community-based activity supports the validity of independent health promotion activities in nursing practice. [J Nurs Educ. 2016;55(7):411-415.].
Copyright 2016, SLACK Incorporated.