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Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.



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Oct 08, 2008 07:26 AM

Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.


Hello all, I'm currently an RN-BSN with about 6 mos of nursing exp. I graduated from nursing school in Dec. 2007 and I'm trying to research career possibilities in informatics. My question is, is it possible to get a job with a MSN in NI with no previous IT or computer related exp. Also, would I be wasting my time pursuing a degree in this field with no exp.

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No. 1
from rninformatics
Old Oct 08, 2008, 11:25 AM
Updated Oct 08, 2008 at 12:10 PM by rninformatics

Default Re: Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.
Greetings marvinskbaby1!


Let me start with your last question: "would I be wasting my time pursuing a degree in this field with no exp" The answer is no but before you invest in a degree (in any specialty) I would hope that you have done enough research to know that practicing in this specialty is what you want to do. You wrote that you have been a practicing RN for less than a year. Having a degree in NI will not guarantee you a job in this specialty. Yes it is "possible" to get a job in IT without previous computer experience.

Many of us currently practicing in this specialty got our first jobs in IT without previous experience. Mine was an entry level job that required I take a pay cut. At that time I had been a practicing RN for 10+ years.

As a former hiring manager I would not hire a person with less than 1 year of clinical nursing experience and no IT/IS experience. Its the lack of clinical experience that would be the deal braker for me. That does not mean its not possible to get an entry level position. I'd suggest you first establish yourself as a practicing RN, get your basic foundational knowledge related to nursing practice and the healthcare environment before moving on to specialize in NI or investing in a degree.
Doing the above will also increase your credibility with clinicians, IT staff and the leadership of both.

If you are currently working in a hospital you might try volunteering to be a superuser or in a new project that involves the clinical systems in use there. As part of your research think about joining your local NI organization, contact the clinical analyst or NI person at your organization and pick his/her brain about exactly what it is they do and why they do (or don't) like their job. Good Luck! and let me know if I can help with anything else.


Originally Posted by marvinskbaby1 View Post
Hello all, I'm currently an RN-BSN with about 6 mos of nursing exp. I graduated from nursing school in Dec. 2007 and I'm trying to research career possibilities in informatics. My question is, is it possible to get a job with a MSN in NI with no previous IT or computer related exp. Also, would I be wasting my time pursuing a degree in this field with no exp.
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No. 2
from SuesquatchRN
Old Oct 12, 2008, 09:12 PM

Default Re: Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.
Originally Posted by rninformatics View Post
If you are currently working in a hospital you might try volunteering to be a superuser or in a new project that involves the clinical systems in use there. As part of your research think about joining your local NI organization, contact the clinical analyst or NI person at your organization and pick his/her brain about exactly what it is they do and why they do (or don't) like their job. Good Luck! and let me know if I can help with anything else.


And hi!
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No. 3
from FlGaNurse
Old Nov 06, 2008, 06:38 PM

Default Re: Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.
So working in informatics doesn't require a MSN or an IT degree?
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No. 4
from rninformatics
Old Nov 06, 2008, 06:50 PM

Default Re: Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.
I don't have either GaStuNurse and I've been practicing in this specialty since 1996.

Originally Posted by GaStuNurse View Post
So working in informatics doesn't require a MSN or an IT degree?
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No. 5
from SuesquatchRN
Old Nov 06, 2008, 06:52 PM

Default Re: Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.
I have a strong systems background but no IT degree.
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No. 6
from FlGaNurse
Old Dec 01, 2008, 07:00 AM

Default Re: Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.
So do I need to apply for IT positions because the hospital where I work doesn't really use the term "nursing informatics"?
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No. 7
from rninformatics
Old Dec 01, 2008, 04:19 PM

Default Re: Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.
You need to investigate what the requirements are for the position(s) you think might be an NI position.
In some organizations the NI/ clinical analyst position may have some components of an NI role. Titles vary from organization to organnization............investigate what the position requires related to clinical background, systems background, education, experience,etc.
In some organizations the NI reports to Nursing Administration in others this role may report to IT/IS
The role may be titled: clinical analyst, implementation specialist, clinical informatics specialist, clinical systems lead, Nurse Liason, clinical systems educator/trainer and the list goes on.............

Originally Posted by GaStuNurse View Post
So do I need to apply for IT positions because the hospital where I work doesn't really use the term "nursing informatics"?
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No. 8
from F4Mom
Old Feb 08, 2009, 10:27 PM
Updated Feb 08, 2009 at 10:49 PM by F4Mom

Default Re: Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.
I have been reading the Nursing Informatics archives for the past few days, trying to glean all the info I can. I am (soooo excited and) interested in this field!! I have been completing my ADN pregreq's to apply Spring 2010 and fulfilling the CIS degree requirements. I had hoped somewhere to combine my 2 passions somewhere...and viola=Nursing Informatics
So now I realize that I really need to focus on a BSN at minimum. I have been trying to find a more formal education for the Informatics(in Calif)??-all seem to be at a BS/MS level/certification...Should I continue with the CIS part?? AS?BS?
Hearing back from SuesquatchRN, I need to get IT experience. I've applied for a Nursing Informatics Assistant, Level 1 at a local hospital. My other thought is to write a letter to the IT Department Heads at local hospitals, volunteering my services (in between schooling). Any other ideas? There doesn't seem to be a "clear" direction. I figure in another 10 years, someone/school will figure this out and create a degree program for the lower division levels.
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No. 9
from rninformatics
Old Feb 09, 2009, 08:13 AM

Default Re: Interested in Nursing Informatics but I have no IT experience.
WOW, you certainly typed a mouth full! You certaily seem motivated and definately have high expectations.........two excellent qualities that should help you succeed in any profession.

Which educational path you take is totally dependent on what you plan to do with your future career........

Since you wrote you are still in the process of completing your prereqs and have not even finished nursing school yet I'd say lets slow down a bit. Is your plan to be enrolled in an ADN program at the same time you are enrolled in a CIS degree program and volunteer your services in between at a local hospitals' IT department ???? WOW!! That is, as my grandmother would say" "more than a notion"!!!!

Part of me says jump at the NI Assistant job...............the job does not require you have a valid RN license or experience as an RN?
I'm just not sure if doing ALL of the above is feasable............and you still have no actual nursing practice experience or CIS working experience??
The major part of any "Nursing Informatics" role is being an experienced "Nurse"
E-mail me your number and we can talk. Please DO NOT post your number to the forum. Talk to you soon.


Originally Posted by F4Mom View Post
I have been reading the Nursing Informatics archives for the past few days, trying to glean all the info I can. I am (soooo excited and) interested in this field!! I have been completing my ADN pregreq's to apply Spring 2010 and fulfilling the CIS degree requirements. I had hoped somewhere to combine my 2 passions somewhere...and viola=Nursing Informatics
So now I realize that I really need to focus on a BSN at minimum. I have been trying to find a more formal education for the Informatics(in Calif)??-all seem to be at a BS/MS level/certification...Should I continue with the CIS part?? AS?BS?
Hearing back from SuesquatchRN, I need to get IT experience. I've applied for a Nursing Informatics Assistant, Level 1 at a local hospital. My other thought is to write a letter to the IT Department Heads at local hospitals, volunteering my services (in between schooling). Any other ideas? There doesn't seem to be a "clear" direction. I figure in another 10 years, someone/school will figure this out and create a degree program for the lower division levels.
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