Are you a new informatics nurse?

[InformaticsRN.MA]

Calling All Newbies!

As a newly hired informatics nurse, I've been perusing the website and reading similar stories about graduate programs, job searching, learning the role, etc. I'd like to start a network of new informatics nurses (either in school, or in the field for less than a year or two). It seems like we are all going through nearly the same process, just at slightly different points in time.

If you are interested, please reply here. I cannot send anyone a private message yet (I have to create 15 Quality Topics before I have the ability to do that), but I'm sure we can figure out a way to connect.

Thanks!!

[RN1023]

I plan to start a nursing informatics master's program this fall, but I am having a tough time deciding what to do. There is a great school nearby that offers a master's in information systems (non-nursing), and I am highly considering going. I just don't know if this degree will help me because it's more involved in the IT world, or hinder me because it's not a nursing degree. I currently have a bachelor's in nursing and no IT experience.

[Sadieanne7]

I recently graduated with a Master's Degree in Nursing Informatics. I have been working as a nurse for two years and I have been looking for an informatics job for a few months now. Most employers would like five to seven years of experience. Informatics is a great field and I hope that this will change.

[TracyParsons]

I'll be starting my MSN in NI in September... I'd love to see what kind of network could be developed

[manique]

I totally agree with everything you said!!!! I have a friend that just graduated in NI and cant get a job. Been an ICU nurse for years and went to school for IN and its just not out there, anymore. But they did use her for that one week too help train the Doctors, until everybody was up too speed. Then sent her right back to ICU. SMH so sad.

[ccweisbard]

I think the ability to find a job hinges on two things (when you have no IT experience....). 1. What is the job market in your area?? If there are few positions it will be much more difficult. 2. What does your résumé look like? I geared mine for my experience as a super user, and positive things about computers in your experience. I was able to get a job with 13 yrs of nursing experience and my BSN, but it really helped that they were desperate.... I had 3 more interviews scheduled when I accepted this job.

[nicenurse46]

I agree...I believe hands-on experience is more valuable than the MSN degree. A MSN degree is great, but I think it is important to get experience first. If you can volunteer as a super-user or volunteer with an implementation/system upgrade, you would have a good chance of landing an informatics job. I was a bedside nurse but worked as a super-user and on a few projects, I was then able to land an informatics job with a BSN.

[NurseMurch]

I don't know if anyone is still interested in putting something together, but count me in if you've organized anything. I start my new job on Monday.

[Nurse_cox]

Hi! I have been an RN for 8 years. I am about to start graduate studies for MS Health Informatics/Health Information Management. I would love to be involved in any group you start.

[medisec]

I was reading your post and was thinking back to a week ago when I was talking to a physician liason for a hospital. She said some of the ER drs paid out their own pocket for "scribes" to chart and navigate the EHRs for them. Said it allowed them to interact more quickly with patients and see more patients in a day. She said they usually hire nursing or med students as scribes. The hospital does not hire and feels there is a liability with hiring someone not employeed with hospital because of passwords, scans in/out, etc. Have you heard much about the position of "scribe"? I've only heard of it once before with a physician's private practice that used one.

[mand8301]

Hello everyone,

I am in a graduate program for nursing informatics, and am trying to locate someone who works in the field to answer some interview questions for me. It will help me to decide whether nursing informatics is for me. Would anyone be willing to answer some questions for me through email? I cannot PM on here yet, because I've just joined, but you can either respond here or email me at [email protected]

Thanks, guys!

[mugwump]

I have started my new position as clinical informatics coordinator in March, so I am a newbee as well and am interested

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I was reading your post and was thinking back to a week ago when I was talking to a physician liason for a hospital. She said some of the ER drs paid out their own pocket for "scribes" to chart and navigate the EHRs for them. Said it allowed them to interact more quickly with patients and see more patients in a day. She said they usually hire nursing or med students as scribes. The hospital does not hire and feels there is a liability with hiring someone not employeed with hospital because of passwords, scans in/out, etc. Have you heard much about the position of "scribe"? I've only heard of it once before with a physician's private practice that used one.

Our ER doc group uses scribes. They are not hospital employees but rather contractors working for the physician group. They are bound by the same regulations and policies as any hospital employee. The scribes absolutely allow the docs more time with patients.

If your hospital is concerned about scribes accessing the system because they're not employees, then how do they justify all of the physcians who don't work for the hospital having access?