From bedside to Nursing Informatics?

allnurses Guide · Nov 2, 2020

Well, nobody can tell you whether to focus on advanced practice or informatics - that is apples and oranges.

It is worth noting that Nursing Informatics is a relationship-heavy position. You will do a lot of teaching of EMR to nurses and other providers of care. Most people who go into informatics like it, but many are surprised at how much human contact they have to have.

Informatics is very competitive to get into. You will want to get your MSN in Informatics.

Best of luck.

samanthacanelaa · Nov 24, 2020

Following this bc I want to study Computer Science after I graduate from nursing school due to the anxiety/pressure. My professors are nudging me in the informatics direction.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Nov 25, 2020

I was close to graduating with my MSN in Informatics. I have another masters degree in computer science-programming. Realistically, the market is flooded with MSN Informatics, not many jobs. Most of the few jobs are on the coasts, Chicago, Memphis, Nashville, and Dallas. You will most likely need to be willing to move to get a job. I'm just putting it out there. Check your market before you drop the money on a degree. Also, most positions want experience, the degree only counts with experience

samanthacanelaa · Dec 3, 2020

On 11/24/2020 at 8:14 PM, Hoosier_RN said:

I was close to graduating with my MSN in Informatics. I have another masters degree in computer science-programming. Realistically, the market is flooded with MSN Informatics, not many jobs. Most of the few jobs are on the coasts, Chicago, Memphis, Nashville, and Dallas. You will most likely need to be willing to move to get a job. I'm just putting it out there. Check your market before you drop the money on a degree. Also, most positions want experience, the degree only counts with experience

This just confirmed for me to go straight into CompuSci after this... Thank you! I knew nothing of the job market.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Dec 4, 2020

21 hours ago, samanthacanelaa said:

This just confirmed for me to go straight into CompuSci after this... Thank you! I knew nothing of the job market.

Be aware, not many jobs there either. I've got a masters and experience. They can hire a foreigner with same experience/education for less than 1/2 what I'd expect. I actually had a prospective employer tell me this. They wanted my experience and knowledge for 1/4 of the pay. For a job in Silicon Valley nonetheless. That's why I've stayed in nursing. So check the market to make sure that reality meets your expectations. Not trying to dash your dreams, just want you to know what you're up against

Clin_Informatics_RN, BSN, MSN · Dec 9, 2020

On 10/28/2020 at 3:20 AM, Len said:

Hello everyone,

so I recently just graduated in May and I currently am a NICU nurse in a children’s hospital. I love the NICU but I’m constantly anxious and it’s been very hard especially with COVID. I always believed that I would somehow advance my career but I never knew how. I recently just found out about nursing informatics and I was very intrigued because before I got my RN I was thinking of studying in computer science ironically. My question basically is how do I get started because I know it’s competitive, is it worth it, or should I forget about it and try to stay working in the NICU and advance myself specializing in neonate care?

This is a biased response (as I've been an informatics nurse for over 18 years), but I think you should continue exploring nursing informatics ? if you are really interested in technologies in health care. Do you need to have a Master's degree to get into informatics? It isn't a requirement, but it makes you more marketable if you do have it. If you're unsure about pursuing a graduate degree in nursing informatics or if that's something that is not economically feasible; then you can also consider doing a certificate in health/nursing informatics first to kinda' test the waters without having to spend a lot of money and energy on grad school. I suggest getting involved in anything EHR-related at your work--maybe consider becoming a "superuser" or perhaps shadow somebody who is currently in informatics at your workplace, if that's possible. Watch this quick video about nursing informatics; this would give you some idea if nursing informatics specialty is really for you:

There is a continuous push for data sharing and health information exchange, which has driven over 95% of hospitals across the United States to implement and optimize the use of EHR technologies. Hence, there are opportunities out there in informatics, especially for those with clinical backgrounds. I work with a nurse who did not have any informatics background and was hired as an EHR-related patient safety investigator right after completing her master's degree in nursing informatics. I've worked with other nurses who were hired without any formal informatics background but were very keen on technologies. Sometimes, it's just a matter of luck too... Hope this insight is helpful ?