[shodobe]

I have decided to go back to school after 31 years in the OR to obtained my BS. The trouble I am having is the area that I want to concentrate in. I am getting to that point in my life where I don't want the long hours that I have working in the OR and want something I can enjoy working only the 40 hours, or less, a week. I plan on cutting down quite abit at 62 , in 7 years. I have looked at BSN and BS in Healthcare Admin. I have also looked at Nursing informatics. I love to work with computers and have had one since around 1980 when I had a IBM with a 8088 processor. The one thing I have noticed when researching programs was that almost all of them was for Masters programs and not BS. What's up with that? Are there any programs out there that are batchelors programs or not? I don't plan on teaching at all so I don't think a BSN is for me so maybe a BS in Admin. We have been using computerized nursing documentation for over 8 years and there has been numerous times I wanted to re-write the program because it lacked alot of features I think nurses would like to make charting more interesting. Any advice on where to look? I guess I could go one way and end up with a MS in NI, but that would take a long time. Thanks

[rninformatics]

You dont want to teach but you are interested in potentially writing or improving on computer programs that are used in healthcare. Have you thought about a BS in Computer Science or Information Technology with a concentration in Programming?

That is correct the majority of Nursing Informatics programs are at the graduate level as the revised Scope and Standards of Practice for NI reads that Informatics Specialists should be trained at the graduate (not the undergraduate) level. Graduate level education is also needed to faciliate research.

FYI choosing this specialty does not guarantee a 40 hour work week. It all depends on the specific role requirements and the expectations of the organization.
Good Luck.

[Snowshooz]

Hi Shodobe,

Hey! You and I are in the same boat!
I am an OR nurse for 30 years too...I am a Diploma graduate and also went back for my Associates a few years ago in Computer Science.
So now, as I send my youngest kid off to College I feel the need to look beyond the tough physical environment of the OR to 5-10 years from now to a new field to specialize in..I am applying to Walden University for their Masters in Nursing Program, I am still trying to choose between Informatics or perhaps Education ...Their MS in Nursing has 2 tracks...one for those with a BSN and one for those of us with Diplomas...Check it out!
Great to meet another "seasoned" OR Nurse

http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Schools/Schools_10849.htm

Snowshooz

[Suesquatch]

I will be pursuing Excelsior's RN - MSN in informatics.

Good luck!

[rninformatics]

Congrats Suesquatch,
I think you will enjoy Sue Newbold and Lea Curtain. Both instructors at Excelsior's MSN online program.

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

I will be pursuing Excelsior's RN - MSN in informatics.

Good luck!