How to sell myself for a NI position?

[bajj78]

I have an Associate in Nursing and Bachelor of General Studies (emphasis in Sociology, Biology, Nutritional Sciences). I worked med-surg as an LPN for 4 years and med-surg/tele as an RN for 3 years (1.5 years of that as a travel nurse). I can use Word and Power Point, but I haven't had any use for Excel or Access since I took an Office class 12 years ago in HS. Thanks to my travel experience I have worked with Meditech, McKesson, HMS, Cerner, and the VA's computer system as a floor nurse. One assignment was during a conversion. While I was a floor nurse there, I did find myself helping regular staff stuck in charting when a super user wasn't available. I wasn't planning to look for a permanent job yet or I would have at least taken an Office class. I've found a Clinical Informatics Analyst position listed in the town I want to be. How do I market myself for this position with my background? What will they be looking for? What about me is valuable without the informatics experience? How do I go about setting up a résumé? And if by chance I get an interview, how do I go about that? Any and all help much appreciated :)

[ccweisbard]

You would focus on anything and everything you have done that relates to informatics. It may be difficult to sell without a BSN, or bachelors in IT related areas..... Your resume should focus on anything to do with IT.... Good luck!

[ikarus01]

While I was a floor nurse there, I did find myself helping regular staff stuck in charting when a super user wasn't available.

You need to emphasize this on your reusme, and obviously during your interview.

If the position you saw is an entry level position, interviewers would probably want to know what related informatics experience you have, and the fact that you helped others with charting, is almost the same experience as that of a super user. So if you can sell this piece of info about you, then that might get you in.

When we interviewed candidates for entry level positions, we were not looking to see if they had a BSN or an IT degree. We wanted to see if the candidate had any experience in the field, such as being a super user, participating in so called user meetings, training experience, etc.

[Kabin]

You might try to prep for future interviews by volunteering at work for anything possibly related to informatics. Also look at work related inefficiencies and propose ideas for change.