Nursing informatics: yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Today, at the beginning of the 21st century, nursing informatics has become a part of our professional activities. Informatics has advanced the field of nursing by bridging the gap from nursing as an art to nursing as a science. This article discusses the major milestones that have influenced the growth of computer technology and the specific efforts that have influenced yesterday's creation of the nursing informatics movement. It also provides an overview of nursing informatics in today's health care industry, while highlighting the administrative, management, research and educational applications and initiatives. In addition, it provides an overview of Saba's Home Health Care Classification, a nursing language system that has influenced the field. Finally, it provides a prediction of how computer technology will impact the nursing profession in the 21st century.