informatics and the clinical aspect of nursing? *LONG*

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as i have started research into this field of informatics, i find it becoming more and more appealing to me . I have a couple of questions hoping my career direction will be guided in the right way. I currently work in the admitting dept. of a hospital, and am familiar with the programs we use for patients

I am currently a pre clinical nursing student going for my adn , and eventually bsn. Before my decision to pursue nursing, i was halfway done in an MIS program. I am very saavy with computers. I do not enjoy the aspect of looking at code all day, but i am proficient and enjoy everything else about computing. I understand that a degree in nursing will be beneficial to me, but how does the clinical aspect tie in to computers?

1.Is informatics for me? I understand projects differ and that everything needs programming/structure, i just want a vague answer on how the workforce in these dept's are broken down.

2. are most employees that work this occupation predominantly MIS/CS grads or Nursing grads?

3.If i decide to devote my education to informatics, will my direction in terms of classes be swayed away from nursing?

Upon researching this particular forum i have gathered that i can do a couple things to get a feel of the field, including volunteering with projects etc.. I would like to ask a couple of questions in terms of approach.

1. How do i approach my hospital's IT dept. and ask to volunteer/participate in any projects?

2. Are there dept's besides IT that i should be approaching to volunteer at?

3. Let's say informatics and nursing are equally 50/50 as options for my career, and i am only willing to devote myself 1 career at a time, Should i pursue my RN first, then go for a degree in informatics? or the other way around

Lastly, i would just like to rant on some things i came across . Every year my hospital/magnets funds a 2 week refresher training session, on various topics . One of the days was dedicated to refreshing employees on old and new techniques of doing things with our in patient/billing programs. I noticed that our instructor came from the company that provided us with the program. Is he an "nursing informatician"?

I would greatly appreciate answers to any of my long tedious questions. lol

Possibly a sticky, since i know i'm not the only one who wanted to ask these questions but never did.

Ray

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as i have started research into this field of informatics, i find it becoming more and more appealing to me . I have a couple of questions hoping my career direction will be guided in the right way. I currently work in the admitting dept. of a hospital, and am familiar with the programs we use for patients

I am currently a pre clinical nursing student going for my adn , and eventually bsn. Before my decision to pursue nursing, i was halfway done in an MIS program. I am very saavy with computers. I do not enjoy the aspect of looking at code all day, but i am proficient and enjoy everything else about computing. I understand that a degree in nursing will be beneficial to me, but how does the clinical aspect tie in to computers?

1.Is informatics for me? I understand projects differ and that everything needs programming/structure, i just want a vague answer on how the workforce in these dept's are broken down.

2. are most employees that work this occupation predominantly MIS/CS grads or Nursing grads?

3.If i decide to devote my education to informatics, will my direction in terms of classes be swayed away from nursing?

Upon researching this particular forum i have gathered that i can do a couple things to get a feel of the field, including volunteering with projects etc.. I would like to ask a couple of questions in terms of approach.

1. How do i approach my hospital's IT dept. and ask to volunteer/participate in any projects?

2. Are there dept's besides IT that i should be approaching to volunteer at?

3. Let's say informatics and nursing are equally 50/50 as options for my career, and i am only willing to devote myself 1 career at a time, Should i pursue my RN first, then go for a degree in informatics? or the other way around

Lastly, i would just like to rant on some things i came across . Every year my hospital/magnets funds a 2 week refresher training session, on various topics . One of the days was dedicated to refreshing employees on old and new techniques of doing things with our in patient/billing programs. I noticed that our instructor came from the company that provided us with the program. Is he an "nursing informatician"?

I would greatly appreciate answers to any of my long tedious questions. lol

Possibly a sticky, since i know i'm not the only one who wanted to ask these questions but never did.

Ray

I don't have an answer for you but am interested to hear what others have to say. I got a degree in Computer Programming back in the mid 80's I received my RN in 1990. I said in the mid 90's my dream job would be combining the 2. I was into this before it started, but never figured out on how to use both of these degrees together.

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Congratulations on joining the nursing profession. If you can afford it, go straight for the BSN, it saves time in the long run. Many nurses find a certificate program in nursing informatics, and there are masters and PhD programs offered in nursing informatics.

The first requirement to specailize in nursing informatics is at least 2 years experience as an RN. The strength of our knowledge is our clinical expertise. I used to say that I translated between the doctor and the patient (they speak 2 very different languages); now I translate between the health care community and the IT community!

Here are a couple of web sites for you to visit.

http://www.nursing-informatics.com/niassess/index.html

This shows some of the competencies that you should have in the NI specialty.

Here's Susan K. Newbold's Frequently asked questions that might be of help

http://www.nursing.umaryland.edu/%7Esnewbold/sknfaqni.htm

There are as many places to work as you can think of - some nurses do program, some teach, some work for the nursing department, some work in the IT department as a nursing analyst or a clinical analyst, some function as super users while maintaining a clinical job.

One of the conferences you can attend is a WINI (Weekend Immersion in Nursing Informatics) - you don't have to be a nurse to attend. Visit http://www.winiconference.net to learn about this program.

Visit the ANCC website to see the criteria for certification requirements in nursing informatics (BSN grad)

http://www.nursingworld.org/ancc/certification/cert/certs/informatics.html

Here's the web page if you are an RN with a degree in a related filed (say computers) http://www.nursingworld.org/ancc/certification/cert/certs/informatics.html

(Actually it's the same exam, it's just how the credentials are placed after your name)

Talk to you boss in the admit department, there will probably be an upgrade to your current software, perhaps you can work on that committee. The education department at the hospital can always use help. Many nurses need computer basics (like e-mail, and using a mouse). Don't forget the volunteer opportunities in your community - like the public library for teaching computer basics. Ask the faculty in the nursing school some of your questions.

Join an informatics group - even if you "lurk" you'll see the kinds of things we deal with and learn lots of tips.

Good luck.

ksmith1963

as i have started research into this field of informatics, i find it becoming more and more appealing to me . I have a couple of questions hoping my career direction will be guided in the right way. I currently work in the admitting dept. of a hospital, and am familiar with the programs we use for patients

I am currently a pre clinical nursing student going for my adn , and eventually bsn. Before my decision to pursue nursing, i was halfway done in an MIS program. I am very saavy with computers. I do not enjoy the aspect of looking at code all day, but i am proficient and enjoy everything else about computing. I understand that a degree in nursing will be beneficial to me, but how does the clinical aspect tie in to computers?

1.Is informatics for me? I understand projects differ and that everything needs programming/structure, i just want a vague answer on how the workforce in these dept's are broken down.

2. are most employees that work this occupation predominantly MIS/CS grads or Nursing grads?

3.If i decide to devote my education to informatics, will my direction in terms of classes be swayed away from nursing?

Upon researching this particular forum i have gathered that i can do a couple things to get a feel of the field, including volunteering with projects etc.. I would like to ask a couple of questions in terms of approach.

1. How do i approach my hospital's IT dept. and ask to volunteer/participate in any projects?

2. Are there dept's besides IT that i should be approaching to volunteer at?

3. Let's say informatics and nursing are equally 50/50 as options for my career, and i am only willing to devote myself 1 career at a time, Should i pursue my RN first, then go for a degree in informatics? or the other way around

Lastly, i would just like to rant on some things i came across . Every year my hospital/magnets funds a 2 week refresher training session, on various topics . One of the days was dedicated to refreshing employees on old and new techniques of doing things with our in patient/billing programs. I noticed that our instructor came from the company that provided us with the program. Is he an "nursing informatician"?

I would greatly appreciate answers to any of my long tedious questions. lol

Possibly a sticky, since i know i'm not the only one who wanted to ask these questions but never did.

Ray

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Congratulations on joining the nursing profession. If you can afford it, go straight for the BSN, it saves time in the long run. Many nurses find a certificate program in nursing informatics, and there are masters and PhD programs offered in nursing informatics.

The first requirement to specailize in nursing informatics is at least 2 years experience as an RN. The strength of our knowledge is our clinical expertise. I used to say that I translated between the doctor and the patient (they speak 2 very different languages); now I translate between the health care community and the IT community!

Here are a couple of web sites for you to visit.

http://www.nursing-informatics.com/niassess/index.html

This shows some of the competencies that you should have in the NI specialty.

Here's Susan K. Newbold's Frequently asked questions that might be of help

http://www.nursing.umaryland.edu/%7Esnewbold/sknfaqni.htm

There are as many places to work as you can think of - some nurses do program, some teach, some work for the nursing department, some work in the IT department as a nursing analyst or a clinical analyst, some function as super users while maintaining a clinical job.

One of the conferences you can attend is a WINI (Weekend Immersion in Nursing Informatics) - you don't have to be a nurse to attend. Visit http://www.winiconference.net to learn about this program.

Visit the ANCC website to see the criteria for certification requirements in nursing informatics (BSN grad)

http://www.nursingworld.org/ancc/certification/cert/certs/informatics.html

Here's the web page if you are an RN with a degree in a related filed (say computers) http://www.nursingworld.org/ancc/certification/cert/certs/informatics.html

(Actually it's the same exam, it's just how the credentials are placed after your name)

Talk to you boss in the admit department, there will probably be an upgrade to your current software, perhaps you can work on that committee. The education department at the hospital can always use help. Many nurses need computer basics (like e-mail, and using a mouse). Don't forget the volunteer opportunities in your community - like the public library for teaching computer basics. Ask the faculty in the nursing school some of your questions.

Join an informatics group - even if you "lurk" you'll see the kinds of things we deal with and learn lots of tips.

Good luck.

ksmith1963

i truly appreciate the info.

take care,

ray

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i truly appreciate the info.

take care,

ray

You may want this link as well:

http://www.ania.org/

ANIA_LogoSM.gif

Mike

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repeat deleted

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Specializes in Informatics, Education, and Oncology.

Hello rayray,

The short answer to your primary question "Is informatics for me?" Only you can answer that question.

" i just want a vague answer on how the workforce in these dept's are broken down."

How an IS dept or Clinical Informatics dept is organized varies from organization to organization.

"are most employees that work this occupation predominantly MIS/CS grads or Nursing grads?"

This varies too. To get an excellent brake down see the HIMSS Nursing Informatics Survey at: http://www.himss.org/content/files/nursing_info_survey2004.pdf

" How do i approach my hospital's IT dept. and ask to volunteer/participate in any projects? and Are there dept's besides IT that i should be approaching to volunteer at?"

Kathleen addressed these questions well - Try Nursing, IS and Nursing Education depts within your hospital.

"Let's say informatics and nursing are equally 50/50 as options for my career, and i am only willing to devote myself 1 career at a time, Should i pursue my RN first, then go for a degree in informatics? or the other way around."

It easier to teach a nurse IS/IT/Informatics skills than it is to teach a programmer (or pure IS/IT person) about how nursing and healthcare works.

"I noticed that our instructor came from the company that provided us with the program. Is he an "nursing informatician"?"

He may or may not be. I'd have no way of knowing unless I saw his credientials or asked him. Next time ask.

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