How to obtain IT experience

[gator mom]

I am curious as to the best way to make a possible change to IT. I have 3+ years experience as an RN.What would be the best way to gain experience for a future job in IT? Thank You

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Do you have any computer background at all?

If you are on or going to an EMR (electornic medical record), volunteer to be a super-user and get involved with installations and upgrades, and training new users.

What will often happen in a facility is that the CIO will be desperately looking for a licensed nurse to take an informatics spot - once they realize they need one - and someone in-house with a proven ability to learn the system will be considered in a heartbeat, esp. since we are hard to find.

And take a class, even if it is an adult ed thing at your local HS, in Windows and operating systems. Learn to navigate your way through a PC. I don't mean opening a browser, but how to check your network settings, hook up a printer, etc.

Good luck. HTH.

[rninformatics, DNP, RN]

Greetings Gator mom,

You may first want to decide what it is you want to do/what role you want to pursue in "IT"? I'd suggest first learning as much as you can about the specialty. Read about the specialty and the field of HIT, join a NI or HIT professional association, network (this forum is great for that!) with other's already practicing in HIT and volunteer to be a super user on a project occuring at your current healthcare organization.

Good Luck!

I am curious as to the best way to make a possible change to IT. I have 3+ years experience as an RN.What would be the best way to gain experience for a future job in IT? Thank You