Graduating soon from MSN Informatics program

[informaticsRN2B]

Hello to all,

I am graduating from a MSN informatics program soon and I am very nervous about it. I have learned alot from the courses but when I read job descriptions on jobs i am interested in such as clinical systems analyst, business analyst, database analyst, ect... I feel like I am not or wasn't prepared for these jobs. I guess I am asking what can I do to prepare myself for a job in this field? I am buying resources in addition to the text books I already have to try to get more familiar with certain jobs that are an interest to me. I do not know what else to do. However, I am excited and look forward to working in this field of nursing.

If anyone has any suggestions, comments or ideas, please feel free to share them with me.

Anxious:uhoh21:

[ikarus01]

Analysts in a vendor environment do not travel much at all, except for occasional focus groups, etc. Analyst design and document the requirements for the clinicial information systems... Analyst do not do any customer training or implementation for customers, they are R&D developers. Unless you are with a vendor that uses the term somewhat loosely.

This really depends on the vendor and on the role you have. Some vendors specifically hire you to travel, and some vendors specifically hire you to be a local employee.

As far as analysts not doing training...really depends with the vendor's job title and role.

I was a clinical analyst for a vendor and I did everything...design meetings, configuring, training, testing, go live support, and post live support, and even help with recruiting, interviewing candidates, etc.

It is best to check the role description with each vendor, because indeed, all of them use titles loosely.

But yep, you could work for a vendor, and your travel could be very minimal or none at all.

[informaticsRN2B]

That is good to know. I will definitely look into positions with vendors as well.

Thank you!

[rninformatics, DNP, RN]

You know we get this question so many times on this Forum in one form or another. I think your post is probably the best worded as it is to the point. Many people think that because they have a degree or certification in informatics that they are automatically qualified to practice in this specialty.

ikarus put it so well when he wrote that class work is not real world practice or experience (no amount of reading is going to give that to you and you dont get that from a text book) and that is what hiring managers are looking for.

You need to look for entry level jobs and go from their to build your skills and experience in this field.......just like you did when you first graduated from nursing school.

I'd suggest joining ANIA and why dont you also reach out to an experienced informaticist and ask to establish a mentoring relationship.

Good Luck