[htian]

I have a BSN and a MS in Computer Science. I currently have RN license in
MA. I'm working at Quality department as a data analyst in a hospital. I am
interest in nursing informatics, and like to take a nursing informatics
certificate.

Because I am a beginner in this field I am not sure how to start it. I
found online courses (i.e., Indiana University has Nursing Informatics
Professional Certificate Program. It includes 4 courses with the cost of
$750/course.)

I am not sure if the online certificate works. Do I have to certify by ANCC
in Nursing Informatics after I get certificate/degree in nursing
informatics? Is there a good certificate/degree program?

Thanks.

[rninformatics]

Greetings,
Which route you take towards certification all depends on what your goals are.
Certification form ANA/ANCC requires that you have practiced in Informatics for a certain amount of hours (2000 minimum) or have an equivalent number of college credits.
A University or college's certification program does not require past work experience as a pre-requisite. So in theory you can complete a certification program at a university and then sit for the ANA/ANCC NI exam. I practiced for 10+ years clinically and 5+ in IT/IS before sitting for the ANA/ANCC NI exam and just recently obtained my CPHIMS.
I have completed (not finished) graduate level course work in Clinical Informatics but am a grad school drop out
Most of the college certification course work can be applied toward degree completion at the same institution.
Certification is not a requirement for employment in this specialty but it does make you more marketable. I would think your current degrees (BSN and MS CS) would be sufficient but I do not know what your career goals are.
You make no mention of how many years (in what specialty) of hands on clinical nursing experience you have. Years of actual clinical practice combined with IT, IS, healthcare informatics or Nursing informatics experience increase both your marketability and your credibility.

Originally Posted by htian

I have a BSN and a MS in Computer Science. I currently have RN license in
MA. I'm working at Quality department as a data analyst in a hospital. I am
interest in nursing informatics, and like to take a nursing informatics
certificate.

Because I am a beginner in this field I am not sure how to start it. I
found online courses (i.e., Indiana University has Nursing Informatics
Professional Certificate Program. It includes 4 courses with the cost of
$750/course.)

I am not sure if the online certificate works. Do I have to certify by ANCC
in Nursing Informatics after I get certificate/degree in nursing
informatics? Is there a good certificate/degree program?

Thanks.

[htian]

I really appreciate your help.