Beginning an MSN in Informatics and simultaneously pursuing an NP as FNP.
I like both the medical/nursing as well as the computer/information technology aspects of nursing and don't want to pigeon-hole myself into only one of the two paths. I would like to get back into school after I feel comfortable as an RN. I have my Associates degree in Nursing and currently work in something between an ICU and step-down unit. I have a Bachelor Degree in computer science.
I will be researching various online and traditional programs. I haven't found any informatics MSN programs that my hospital will sponsor (South Florida schools, they won't sponsor online only programs).
I am curious as to any overlap that would exist between these two programs.
How long it might take if I was taking 1-2 courses at a time, year round.
How much it might cost.
I know most of this will be program specific, and I will find that out during my research.
On a more general level. I would like opinions as to the pros/cons of going for both degrees.
I would love to hear any input from anyone that has either or both degrees.
I like and miss school already, I don't want to overdo it, but at the same time, if I can start and have it subsidized by my hospital I believe that starting earlier rather than later is the way to go.
For clarification, I will be doing an RN-MSN/NP type bridge program as it seems more beneficial to just go directly to the MSN instead of BSN first as I have most of the pre-reqs done from an earlier pre-med program I did.
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
I am in the Informatics program at Duke. It is all online but for 2-3 days 2x/year for on campus intensive session. Even the NP programs are mostly online now. I think there are lot of online programs.
I think there is going to be a great niche for anyone in nursing that is an informaticist. We have a few physicians that are Informatics physicians. there are standards that need to be developed. Ambulatory care is in desperate need of informaticists.
You can get a post masters certificate in Informatics after getting an FNP. I am not interested in becoming an NP, but I like teaching, so I am going on to get my DNP after MSN and then I can work in informatics and teach if I want. I am working in a SIM lab to help nursing students practice charting as my practicum.
This is such a wide field. I just finished my last class of this semester and it was the class where the "techhies" ruled. I felt a little out of place as I do NOT have an IT background, I have a Biology and teaching background before becoming a nurse.
I wish there was more traffic in the informatics forum :)
I am interested in learning more about a point you made in your post that as an ADN nurse, I could begin working in Informatics? How is that so? What would I need to do to get a position in Informatics? I understand that often the demand is state or region specific. I live in Tampa, Florida. I am very seriously considering a MSN in Informatics as long as the growth is strong. Especially how the industry is where I live because I am not planning to relocate once I have a degree. Any thoughts? Some of the information on this topics are a from a few years back so any latest knowledge, perspectives, and outlook would be most appreciated!! :)
I am interested in learning more about a point you made in your post that as an ADN nurse, I could begin working in Informatics? How is that so? What would I need to do to get a position in Informatics? I understand that often the demand is state or region specific. I live in Tampa, Florida. I am very seriously considering a MSN in Informatics as long as the growth is strong. Especially how the industry is where I live because I am not planning to relocate once I have a degree. Any thoughts? Some of the information on this topics are a from a few years back so any latest knowledge, perspectives, and outlook would be most appreciated!!
I am interested in learning more about a point you made in your post where you said "an ADN or BSN is perfectly suitable to work in Informatics."
As an ADN nurse, I could begin working in Informatics? How is that so? What would I need to do to get a position in Informatics? I understand that often the demand is state or region specific. I live in Tampa, Florida. I am very seriously considering a MSN in Informatics as long as the growth is strong. Especially how the industry is where I live because I am not planning to relocate once I have a degree. Any thoughts? Some of the information on this topics are a from a few years back so any latest knowledge, perspectives, and outlook would be most appreciated!!
I'm finishing my FNP this fall. And I'm trying to look for nursing informatic programs I can complete in a year. I have always been that techie guy and I feel it would be a complete waste of my talent if I don't try to get into the informatic side of health care. My only concern is about finding available jobs in the field.
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
Those jobs are coming. And they are requiring more credentials.
As an ADN nurse, get involved in the committees or groups that deal with the EHRs. Volunteer while you get your BSN and then you can transition into a BSN-DNP or MSN program. I have been a super-user and on the councils that review what nurses want. Now I know all of the people in charge of EPIC where I am. I will finish MSN in Dec and I am pretty sure there will be a job in my organization. I even have an idea for one that I have created :)
Those jobs are coming. And they are requiring more credentials.
As an ADN nurse, get involved in the committees or groups that deal with the EHRs. Volunteer while you get your BSN and then you can transition into a BSN-DNP or MSN program. I have been a super-user and on the councils that review what nurses want. Now I know all of the people in charge of EPIC where I am. I will finish MSN in Dec and I am pretty sure there will be a job in my organization. I even have an idea for one that I have created :)
In my opinion this is the path to take. My advice is to volunteer to be a Super User or equivalent position for an IT initiative to get your feet wet and go from there. I can't count the number of nurses I've seen working at the bedside who get an MSN/informatics degree or a Health Informatics degree that have difficulty getting a job in informatics due to lack of experience or who get one and find that the field is not a good fit for them. Planning your career path based on the growth of the field is a risky proposition from a job satisfaction standpoint. The vast majority of nurses I am in contact with get into informatics and then pursue the degree.
As far as a dual FNP/Informatics degrees... I can appreciate education in all forms but I'm not sure why anyone would choose to do both simultaneously. There is not very much overlap in the two areas unless one wanted to work in informatics and be an FNP in a clinical setting on the weekends.
Additionally the field of informatics is highly competitive and one's success and marketability is generally commensurate with experience and there aren't many part-time informatics positions... at least in the departments that I have worked in.
I will be finishing up my FNP next May (2019). I am currently working as a clinical informaticist. I'm curious if any of you figured out a job route to take to combine your APRN with informatics and find a job that fit both?
Specializes in Psychiatric RN & Retired Psychiatric CNA.
Hello all,
I will be finishing up my FNP next May (2019). I am currently working as a clinical informaticist. I'm curious if any of you figured out a job route to take to combine your APRN with informatics and find a job that fit both?
What made you switch to FNP from being a clinical informaticist?
mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN
3,319 Posts
I am in the Informatics program at Duke. It is all online but for 2-3 days 2x/year for on campus intensive session. Even the NP programs are mostly online now. I think there are lot of online programs.
I think there is going to be a great niche for anyone in nursing that is an informaticist. We have a few physicians that are Informatics physicians. there are standards that need to be developed. Ambulatory care is in desperate need of informaticists.
You can get a post masters certificate in Informatics after getting an FNP. I am not interested in becoming an NP, but I like teaching, so I am going on to get my DNP after MSN and then I can work in informatics and teach if I want. I am working in a SIM lab to help nursing students practice charting as my practicum.
This is such a wide field. I just finished my last class of this semester and it was the class where the "techhies" ruled. I felt a little out of place as I do NOT have an IT background, I have a Biology and teaching background before becoming a nurse.
I wish there was more traffic in the informatics forum :)