During the transition to CPOE, the primary role of the informatics nurse is to act as a:

• A. System designer
• B. Purchasing agent
• C. Liaison
• D. Software modifier

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that the informatics nurse serves as a liaison between clinicians and information technology during the transition to CPOE. This role centers on facilitating communication, translating clinical needs into system requirements, and guiding the change process so the new ordering environment supports safe, efficient patient care. The informatics nurse champions user input, helps map current workflows to the new CPOE steps, coordinates testing and training, and collaborates with physicians, pharmacists, IT staff, and leadership to resolve issues and refine the system.

This collaborative bridging is essential because CPOE changes how orders are placed, reviewed, and acted upon, so having a nurse who understands clinical practice and technical possibilities helps ensure the system fits real workflows, supports safety features, and minimizes disruption to care. By contrast, system design and software modification are typically handled by IT professionals and developers who focus on technical architecture and code, not frontline clinical workflows. A purchasing agent handles procurement activities, which is outside the clinical informatics nurse’s primary focus.