Am I remotely qualified?

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2015

Depends on what the qualifications are. Many times these positions are for an MSN in Nursing informatics. In your post you did not mention if you have an RN as some positions require a BSN. For general informatics, some require a college degree in an informatics area.

You sound like you have had some great experiences, however places would also want a degree to back you up.

Take a look at the job qualifications and education requirements

ikarus01 · Jun 2, 2015

Would I be qualified to start applying to informatics positions or would it be a waste of my time?

You would be doing yourself a complete disservice if you don't apply now to an informatics position given the experience you have.

Even thought there might be some job postings out there requiring specifically a BSN or Master's in Nursing informatics, there plenty others that don't require that because remember, nurses are not the only ones using computerized electronic charting. That's why I have and have had plenty of colleagues who have zero nursing experience, and even zero clinical experience, and yet, they work as clinical analysts.

Furthermore, as a consultant, I've worked with hospitals who looked for an informatics analyst and many times the informatics manager just wants specific experience, but they turn in their job posting to HR, and then HR adds further criteria like 5 or 10 years of experience in the field required. And that's why I tell people, you see that, still apply because sometimes it is not the manager who wrote that, but HR for whatever policy they have.

And then obviously, plenty of LPN's working in the field. In fact not only LPN's, but believe it or not, some CNA's too. I know, blasphemy to the college degree police! :whistling:

Of course, if your goal is to get a managerial position, then you might need a master's degree, but don't believe the line that you need a BSN or Master's to get a nursing informatics job, specially given your background.

I would brush up the resume, then submit it to jobs or job search engines; also update your linked in profile. And keep in mind that plenty of jobs in informatics not specific to nursing informatics. Best of luck!

downthealley,BS · Jun 2, 2015

Thank you so much! I have seen job positions at our local hospitals that specifically require a BSN, but many others that don't. The ones that don't require nursing experience seem to rely heavily on the computer skills - some skills I have and others I haven't even heard of.

There is an online health informatics program at my old university, but I don't want to to anymore schooling if I can help it since my husband's income puts me out of financial aid and I would have to pay out of pocket.

It is refreshing to hear that all of my years of being a computer nerd could pay off into a job I think I would really enjoy -- and from the hourly pay rate posted, it is higher than I would make as an RN, so you can't beat that :) I don't really have the desire to become an RN, but I really enjoy health care. I'm just more science and technical minded, rather than a holistic care giver.

Thank you again for taking the time to post all of that. I'll have to get cracking on a new resume :)

mariafh · Jun 2, 2015

You might want to look at the HIT vendors . Your background would be applicable to multiple positions. You could work in R&D designing HIT system as a business analyst, software quality testing, support, customer implementation, and so on. Development positions with a vendor often require a strong technical background and having clinical experience/education is a plus.

downthealley,BS · Jun 2, 2015

Thank you! I am continuing to read the other threads posted on here. I had no idea there is so much someone could do within this field! It's pretty exciting!

My next question is for a resume - should I do a skills-based format highlighting a lot of my computer and research work, with just a little about nursing? Do any of you have any good examples of one?

ikarus01 · Jun 2, 2015

My next question is for a resume - should I do a skills-based format highlighting a lot of my computer and research work, with just a little about nursing? Do any of you have any good examples of one?

My suggestion would be to divide your resume into a technology part and a clinical part.

First I would start the resume with an executive summary (not an objective), and in it, you would say something like, (Insert adjective) IT Professional with 2 years of clinical experience, blah blah blah. Executive summaries tend to be, from 2 to 4 sentences long. Depends how good of a writer you're, I suppose.

Then, if submitting the resume to search engines, I would have a section titled, summary of qualifications, or maybe skills. On this section, you put your keywords, like C++ (or whatever programming languages you know), SQL, etc. The advice of one recruiter a while back was to have this section so that the scanners pick up the keywords.

Then I would have a technology section where I would describe my specific IT skills.

Then have a clinical section where you have your clinical background

And then finish it with your standard info such as education, etc.

I really can't remember if these resumes had their employer info, but the main point is that when somebody picks up your resume, they should immediately see that you have IT and clinical background.

downthealley,BS · Jun 2, 2015

You are a doll! Thank you...That is along the lines of what I was thinking I needed to do.

theantichick · Jun 17, 2015

I'm in the same boat... 15 years' data warehouse/integration then became an RN. Now a RA diagnosis is pushing me back to the tech side of the healthcare world. Feel free to PM me if you want to keep in touch, share tips, critique each others resumes, etc.