BS Computer Science + BS Nursing = Nursing IT?

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Mar 22, 2008

no you are not "automatically qualified" to practice as an informatics nurse.

i have no idea if this specialty exists in the philippines. the specialty does exist nationally and internationally in china, japan, europe, canada and the us.

i am a graduate of b.s. math major in computer science with employment backround in it...

recently, i am also a graduate of b.s nursing and passed nclex in california...

does this mean i'm automatically qualified to work as a nurse informaticist? it seems to me that this particular job is still non-existent here in the philippines...

ryerye · Mar 24, 2008

No you are not "automatically qualified" to practice as an Informatics Nurse.
I have no idea if this specialty exists in the Philippines. The specialty does exist nationally and internationally in China, Japan, Europe, Canada and the US.

... so what's needed to be able to qualify as informatics nurse? would it mean that my previous degree in computer science would all come to waste? thanks

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Mar 25, 2008

See the NI Scope and Standards of Practice on the ANA/ANCC website to answer this question.

Angela

... so what's needed to be able to qualify as informatics nurse?

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Apr 2, 2008

i am a graduate of b.s. math major in computer science with employment backround in it...

recently, i am also a graduate of b.s nursing and passed nclex in california...

does this mean i'm automatically qualified to work as a nurse informaticist? it seems to me that this particular job is still non-existent here in the philippines...

automatically qualified isn't exactly the right wording. you might be uniquely qualified. however you need to learn more about the nursing part of the job title. despite having a scope of practice statement, nursing informatics is a job/profession that is still evolving. i"d do a google search on it and take a look around. once you get a good handle on what it takes to be a nurse, you might just be able to write your own job description.

i've been doing it on and off since before there were pc's. (yes i'ma geek) in most cases the job doesn't have much to do with hardware/programing etc. it's a position that acts as an intermediary with the it people and the nursing staff. in some hospitals they are the experts in the hospital system and help other nurses use the technology.

although there is a certification, at this time it's no necessary.

look around, see what nursing informatics is and then become a champion of it in your country.

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Apr 2, 2008

... so what's needed to be able to qualify as informatics nurse? would it mean that my previous degree in computer science would all come to waste? thanks

Nope it wouldn't be a waste. My ability to do SQL querries from my IT experience is extremely helpful sometimes ,and the fact that I understand what the IT people are talking about sure helps. I speak the language of both area's

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2008

Nope it wouldn't be a waste. My ability to do SQL querries from my IT experience is extremely helpful sometimes ,and the fact that I understand what the IT people are talking about sure helps. I speak the language of both area's

Yup.

Get a year of clinical experience and you'll be valuable somewhere. The Phillipines, I don't know about.

cbm04 · May 12, 2010

there is a specialty in the field of nursing informatics in the Philippines. I know it is in UP Manila..

mariafh · May 13, 2010

As a nurse also with a nursing degree and computer science degree, I can tell you are indeed fortunate. The number of informatic nurses that I know that have true technical degrees (CS, IT, or engineering) is less than 10. With your BS in computer science, just as is, you can get a job in many hospital IT or healthcare vendors. After all, there are many in healthcare IT without clinical backgrounds. But that would be much of what you have done in the past working in IT. And it would be a strong technical focus and not a nursing position. Most informatics nurses have nursing degrees without the computer science/IT degree. They are most often found in the hospital environment doing project managment, implementation, training, management, system configuration, etc. i/ For that, a strong clinical background is desired. If you can imagine there is a fence. On one side are the informatics nurses, those with a strong clinical background and some IT knowledge. On the other side of the fence are those in healthcare IT with strong technical background and some healthcare knowledge. There are very few positions out there that are a even mix of the two. With your background, you have the opportunity to pick your side of the fence. It all depends on what you like to do and where you want to go. If you want the nursing side which is where most informatics nurses are, then you should get more clinical experience working as a staff nurse. So first figure out what you want to do - techy stuff or clinical project mgmt/implementation stuff, and that will determine your path.

Dreamer-RN · May 14, 2010

As a nurse also with a nursing degree and computer science degree, I can tell you are indeed fortunate. '
....
With your background, you have the opportunity to pick your side of the fence. It all depends on what you like to do and where you want to go.

I do agree with the above based on my experiences thus far. I have B.S. in both C.S. and Nursing as well work experiences in both areas. However, my work experiences in IT is stronger than Nursing. These factors helped me to land my current Informatics position. Many of the potential employers I've interviewed with mentioned the difficulties in finding candidates who have this background, including the marketability of having such a background.

Daigorot · May 31, 2010

Nice to know all these things. I am Network engineer and a nurse too.

diapersprinkles, MSN · Nov 22, 2010

i am a nurse here in the philippines with a strong clinical background. lately, however, i have come to realize that bedside nursing is not really for me. i have attended the seminar in health informatics offered by the national telehealth office at UP manila. they have advised us to master the FOSS and freelance in doctor's clinics to gain some credentials, which i find very unstable. i am at a crossroad right now on whether to take up a Masters in Nursing or a Computer Science course. if i pursue the comsci path, how are my chances of getting a nursing informatics job here in the philippines?

any insight will greatly be appreciated, especially those who are still here in the PI. thank you.