Help! Is it worth it if I take MS in informatics?

[T.Dix.Nurse]

I'm been interested in informatics even before I got my nursing license. Unfortunately, I don't land in a nursing job that involves computer stuff.Later this year, I am planning to apply on a masteral program and my first choice is informatics. I have my BSN. I am currently in rehab unit. I really interested in dealing with computers. When I was in high school, I'm helping my bro on his programming projects. I have an introverted personality and very creative and highly organize when working.

So how is the job market for Nurse informacist. Please let me know. Thank you all.

[RJMJ87]

If informatics is something you like to pursue, then getting an MSN in informatics would be beneficial. Is a Master's degree necessary to work in informatics? Nope. My recommendation is to get acquainted with your facility's IT&S/Informatics department and become a superuser for them during implementations or "go-lives." This will give you an idea if this is something you would like to pursue. Also this gives you experience that you can add to your resume. This is an in demand area in Nursing; however, positions are are limited. Most healthcare facilities are looking for individuals with experience in EMR/EHR implementations vs. someone with an MSN in informatics without experience.

Based on my experience, the role of the RN in healthcare IT is not consisent across healthcare facilities and may have different titles. There are Nurse Informaticists who specifically provide education and training to the healthcare staff, and there are those who provide overall project leadership regarding the EMR/EHR system design, configuration, and implementation. There are those who serve as coordinators, being the bridge between IT and the healthcare staff gathering the needed clinical design specifications, and there are also those who mainly work the back end doing the configuration and "build" of the system. There are also nurses who work for vendors and travel to different hospital sites and provide assistance in system configuration and implementation. There are nurses who are independent consultant/contractors who travel to and provide support for the hospital's system. I worked as a consultant at a hospital where the nurse informaticists mainly reviewed data, updated policies, and educated the staff and not at all hands on with the design and configuration of the system. They were under the Nursing department. This same hospital also had nurses under the IT&S department and have titles such as clinical systems analyst or applications specialist mixed in with your non-nurse analysts who serve as your second tier support in troubleshooting system issues and also did the system design and configuration. Prior to this, I worked at a hospital where we did everything. I've also met and worked with nurses who were very technical and worked on interface engines and ICD-9 and ICD-10 coding. Personally, I prefer to do everything because it makes it more exciting and keeps me occupied. I'm certainly glad I got into informatics, and I'm sure this is a position you will enjoy as well.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Love this post!! I start my MSN in Informatics in Jan. I am lloking to do more of the Nursing part you mentioned (including some clinical ed). I am already on committees to help with optimization for my unit (ortho) and as a diabetes expert. I love it!!!Can't wait to learn more.