Career Advice

Specialties Informatics

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This is sort of a follow up to a question in another thread, but I wanted to give more background so I thought i'd start anew.

I graduated with a BBA in MIS in 1999, started working in IT Consulting for 3 years before I was let go due to cutbacks etc. I didn't work for quite sometime and really let depression and all that good stuff get ahold of me for quite awhile. Now that I am done with my pity party, I am at a crossroads of how to further my career. I have debated giving up IT all together, but I really do enjoy it so I don't think in the long run I would be happy with that. From what I can tell, Healthcare seems to be one field that is still growing etc. One thought of mine was to get a Masters in Bio/Health/Clinical Informatics, however I don't feel that would necessarily distinguish me from all the other IT folks trying to get into healthcare. My other option would be to get my BSN or MSN in Nursing, gain experience, then switch back over.

I have read in a few threads that it is not necessary to be a Nurse but I am sort of thinking that with the field being new and growing that if I were to get the experience now that I could be in the mix of things. Healthcare is not completely foreign too me b/c I debated between Pre-Med and IT initially, and IT won out.

Thanks

I understand your dilemma. I'd caution you entering nursing school unless one of your driving desires is to practice as a hands-on clinician. Getting your RN and going from a novice to an experienced clinician is...."more than a notion" as my grandmother use to say, LOL.

The actual education involved and practice of nursing along with the stressors, challenges and rewards should not be taken lightly - if you go into nursing go into nursing for its own sake not in preparation to leave it.

Angela

Angela's advice is "right on"

Get a copy of "What Color is Your Parachute" ( or other career and job seeking books). Take an inventory of "what you want to do when you grow up". Then look at the job postings in your career field and the requirements. Target your educational based on the ideal job.

Go to your local hospital and ask to interview the CIO and or analysis (an informational interview - not a job interview) Ask what skills the CIO looks for when he's hiring.

If you want a job in healthcare IT - join an organization like HIMSS http://www.himss.org

Go to your local university/college talk to the healthcare IT instructors - you'll get a good idea of the skill set you need for your new career.

Good luck.

If you want a job in healthcare IT - join an organization like HIMSS http://www.himss.org

There are also other organizations such as the American Medical Informatics Association which has a Nursing Informatics Working Group, where you can access to a significant number of nursing informatics professionals.

AMIA also has a conference coming up in September, where they would be a jobs fair and you can have interviews and discussions with recruiters to find out exactly what skills they look for when hiring.

Specializes in Informatics, Education, and Oncology.

Speaking of NI events and networking, lets not forget the Medinfo 2004, Friday, September 10th 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Nursing Informatics Symposium and Luncheon Global Perspectives in Nursing Informatics

The Nursing Informatics Collaborative Task Force* will present the opportunity for learning and networking at a symposium and luncheon during Medinfo.

For those who have attended the CARING luncheon at AMIA, the format will be similar.

Speakers and topics to include: Computer Literacy: Is Nursing Ready? Annelle Tanner, RN, PhD Interagency Council on Computer Literacy in Nursing Dr. Tanner will share insights from her recently completed study for Council on Computer Literacy in Nursing. Terminology standards: An International Perspective Deb Konicek, RN, MS, BC & Nicholas Hardiker, RN, BSc, MSc SNOMED International, University of Salford, UK Session to provide an overview of SNOMED CT, including recent US & UK government EHR initiatives. Current international terminology standards efforts will also be highlighted.

>From Bedside to Board Room - A Journey Aurelia Boyer, RN, MS CIO NY Presbyterian Hospital Ms. Boyer will share her experiences on her journey to her current position as CIO of a major healthcare delivery system and discuss the issues challenging her organization. Best Practices from the Real World Panel Presentation The use of standard nomenclature is highly recommended. Informatics nurses will share their real world experiences in implementing them. CEs will be offered (http://www.medinfo2004.org)

There are also other organizations such as the American Medical Informatics Association which has a Nursing Informatics Working Group, where you can access to a significant number of nursing informatics professionals.

AMIA also has a conference coming up in September, where they would be a jobs fair and you can have interviews and discussions with recruiters to find out exactly what skills they look for when hiring.

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