I got my first job in NI!

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Hi everyone!

I just accepted an offer for my first official job in NI! I'm really excited and really nervous. ?

Since 90% of the questions in this specialty page are about getting into NI, I'd like to share how I got here. First, I've had both bedside experience and leadership experience in multiple areas over the last 13 years. I've been with my employer (not a hospital) for the majority of my nursing career. After being pulled into multiple committees that deal with the EMR and leading a couple projects that deal with changes to the EMR, I decided that NI is something that I'd like to pursue full time. I started an RN-MSN program while also communicating with my boss and the IT leadership - I got more involved.

I completed my preceptorship experience at my place of employment and worked closely with my mentor on a project that truly did benefit the organization - not one that just checked off my project requirements for the class. Once I finished the MSN program, I stayed involved in the IT/informatics department as much as I could.

Several months later, there was an opening and here I am!

If any of the experienced nurses in here have any advice for a newbie - I'd really appreciate it!

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Specializes in Nursing informatics/IT.

Congratulations and welcome to the field.?

I am a IT Nurse Leader. However, I started as an RN-Informaticist

Don’t be afraid of doing something outside of your comfort zone and be open to learning. Learning about technology is no longer a choice. IT must be used through the continuum of care. If you don't have training or experience in IT or project management, take some courses or get a degree in tech related field, obtain certifications and join professional organizations within Informatics; this will afforded you opportunities to contribute to the advancement of nursing informatics.

What is your MSN focused on?

*~* Jes *~*

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6 hours ago, JAG_RN10 said:

Congratulations and welcome to the field.?

I am a IT Nurse Leader. However, I started as an RN-Informaticist

Don’t be afraid of doing something outside of your comfort zone and be open to learning. Learning about technology is no longer a choice. IT must be used through the continuum of care. If you don't have training or experience in IT or project management, take some courses or get a degree in tech related field, obtain certifications and join professional organizations within Informatics; this will afforded you opportunities to contribute to the advancement of nursing informatics.

What is your MSN focused on?

*~* Jes *~*

It's in Nursing Informatics. Thank you for the advice!! I'm a member of ANIA and HIMSS. I'm studying for the ANCC exam.

I definitely expect to be learning a lot as I move forward!

:)

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Specializes in Nursing informatics/IT.
4 minutes ago, Toadette said:

It's in Nursing Informatics. Thank you for the advice!! I'm a member of ANIA and HIMSS. I'm studying for the ANCC exam.

I definitely expect to be learning a lot as I move forward!

?

That's wonderful! Best of luck.

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On 2/24/2019 at 9:21 AM, Toadette said:

Hi everyone!

I just accepted an offer for my first official job in NI! I'm really excited and really nervous. ?

Since 90% of the questions in this specialty page are about getting into NI, I'd like to share how I got here. First, I've had both bedside experience and leadership experience in multiple areas over the last 13 years. I've been with my employer (not a hospital) for the majority of my nursing career. After being pulled into multiple committees that deal with the EMR and leading a couple projects that deal with changes to the EMR, I decided that NI is something that I'd like to pursue full time. I started an RN-MSN program while also communicating with my boss and the IT leadership - I got more involved.

I completed my preceptorship experience at my place of employment and worked closely with my mentor on a project that truly did benefit the organization - not one that just checked off my project requirements for the class. Once I finished the MSN program, I stayed involved in the IT/informatics department as much as I could.

Several months later, there was an opening and here I am!

If any of the experienced nurses in here have any advice for a newbie - I'd really appreciate it!

That is great; but, you will be ill prepared for the next wave with just a Nursing Informatics degree. As Technology immerses itself in the field much more, they will be shortage again for nurses with solid backgrounds in IT/CS/CE. May the odds be ever in your favor.

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Specializes in Nursing informatics/IT.
On 3/1/2019 at 3:34 AM, JMR85112 said:

That is great; but, you will be ill prepared for the next wave with just a Nursing Informatics degree. As Technology immerses itself in the field much more, they will be shortage again for nurses with solid backgrounds in IT/CS/CE. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Let's remain positive and bring forth encouragement.

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On 2/24/2019 at 9:21 AM, Toadette said:

Hi everyone!

I just accepted an offer for my first official job in NI! I'm really excited and really nervous. ?

Since 90% of the questions in this specialty page are about getting into NI, I'd like to share how I got here. First, I've had both bedside experience and leadership experience in multiple areas over the last 13 years. I've been with my employer (not a hospital) for the majority of my nursing career. After being pulled into multiple committees that deal with the EMR and leading a couple projects that deal with changes to the EMR, I decided that NI is something that I'd like to pursue full time. I started an RN-MSN program while also communicating with my boss and the IT leadership - I got more involved.

I completed my preceptorship experience at my place of employment and worked closely with my mentor on a project that truly did benefit the organization - not one that just checked off my project requirements for the class. Once I finished the MSN program, I stayed involved in the IT/informatics department as much as I could.

Several months later, there was an opening and here I am!

If any of the experienced nurses in here have any advice for a newbie - I'd really appreciate it!

Hey @Toadette, Although it is late, Congratulations for your job.I hope it is going well. Do you mind sharing where did you complete the MSN NI program from? I am also very interested in this field but unlike you, I do not have any other experience beside being a bedside RN for almost five years.I have a BSN degree. Do you think it is a good idea for me to get in NI without any computer/IT background? I have been trying to research more about this degree but it would be great to hear from someone like you who have actually pursued it. Thank you.

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Specializes in L&D, Epic IT.
On 5/3/2020 at 12:33 AM, Karu said:

Hey @Toadette, Although it is late, Congratulations for your job.I hope it is going well. Do you mind sharing where did you complete the MSN NI program from? I am also very interested in this field but unlike you, I do not have any other experience beside being a bedside RN for almost five years.I have a BSN degree. Do you think it is a good idea for me to get in NI without any computer/IT background? I have been trying to research more about this degree but it would be great to hear from someone like you who have actually pursued it. Thank you.

It depends. Also, it's very possible to get into informatics without a MSN. I only have a BSN and I've been doing it almost 9 years.

I had a very hard transition because I was hired for an OR application and my background was labor & delivery; the only OR experience was in the OB ORs with c-sections and tubals. I had no idea about any other surgical workflow, but I stuck it out and am now a senior member on my team.

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Hi guys! does anyone have any NI interview tips? Not sure what type of questions they will ask.

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Specializes in L&D, Epic IT.
16 hours ago, Dreamofjeann said:

Hi guys! does anyone have any NI interview tips? Not sure what type of questions they will ask.

It can be a range from situational questions like "tell me a time where you had a conflict with an end user/coworker and the steps you took to solve it" to more specific informatics-type questions like "tell me about a project you implemented: what was the initial problem you were trying to solve and how did you come to an electronic solution"

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