[cbustos]

Greetings everyone! I have been a PCU nurse for 5 years now and I am going to start taking credits for a masteral degree in Nursing informatics this fall of 2008(I have a BSN). I have no computer or IT background but knows basic computer skills. The current hospital I work in already transitioned from paper based to CPOE and EMAR. I am planning on switching from bedside nursing to a Nursing informatics role just to have a general idea on how NI works. What job titles should I look for? Are there on the job training/ entry level jobs for this role? Any input will be greatly appreciated.

[jmgrn65]

Informatics is usually in the title, but words like analyst, support and others. My job title is Physician Support Specialist. what I do is educate physicians in all computer software that they may use to access patient data, xrays and ekgs. I assist in design and implemenation of new software/applications.
I have a BSN, had no formal training. My job is a brand new job, so I learned on the job and am still developing the role.
Some places want formal training and others do not.
I would suggest for anyone that wants to break into informatics, that as your hospital goes to electronic charting to be a "super user" (that is the person who learns a bit more and helps others on the unit)
good Luck

[rninformatics]

Greetings cbustos,

There are many ways to make the transition. Opportunity just needs to meet preparation so do you research. To get you started take a look at the "Getting Started" stories on ANIA's (the American Nursing Informatics Association's) website
http://www.ania.org/Getting%20Started.htm

You will also find a link on ANIA's website to AMIA - NI's (The American Medical Informatics Association- Nursing Informatics Work Group's) website and the "Roles in Nursing Informatics" page, which should answer your second question.
Good Luck!

Originally Posted by cbustos

Greetings everyone! I have been a PCU nurse for 5 years now and I am going to start taking credits for a masteral degree in Nursing informatics this fall of 2008(I have a BSN). I have no computer or IT background but knows basic computer skills. The current hospital I work in already transitioned from paper based to CPOE and EMAR. I am planning on switching from bedside nursing to a Nursing informatics role just to have a general idea on how NI works. What job titles should I look for? Are there on the job training/ entry level jobs for this role? Any input will be greatly appreciated.

[oahugirl]

cbustos,
Can I ask what school you chose? I, too, am looking to break into the NI field. I have no IT background, just a BSN. I'm trying to read up on the diffrent cirriculums of several graduate programs, and it's all greek! How did you know to choose that school? There seems to be so many avenues for NI. I'm nervous about spending so much money and then finding out it didn't prepare me for the type of NI role I wanted!
Thanks!

[cbustos]

I chose University of Maryland school of nursing because its one of the top 5 schools in nursing and because it's A pioneer in the nursing informatics field, the University of Maryland School of Nursing created the world’s first master’s program in nursing informatics ... You can do the program face to face or online.