Informatics Nurse at Heart

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Specializes in Informatics, Education, and Oncology.

May 27, 2005 - Executives at Fresno (Calif.) Heart Hospital believe they have a secret weapon that can help nurses better use I.T. For clinicians who still are timid with technology, the hospital employs a nurse informaticist who helps train and encourage them to use it, says Jonathon Anderson, director of information technology. Full story at:

http://www.mobilehealthdata.com/article.cfm?articleid=1450

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May 27, 2005 - Executives at Fresno (Calif.) Heart Hospital believe they have a secret weapon that can help nurses better use I.T. For clinicians who still are timid with technology, the hospital employs a nurse informaticist who helps train and encourage them to use it, says Jonathon Anderson, director of information technology. Full story at:

http://www.mobilehealthdata.com/article.cfm?articleid=1450

Rninformatics, what difference does it make whether the nurse informaticist is from the IT department or from the nursing department? Does this impact the nurses any differently? Thanks.

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Specializes in Informatics, Education, and Oncology.
what difference does it make whether the nurse informaticist is from the IT department or from the nursing department? Does this impact the nurses any differently? Thanks.

An excellent question and one that has on occasion been of debate within the nursing informatics community.

What do you think? Anyone else care to voice their opinion?

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Well, I suppose it depends on what the nurse informaticist is expected to emphasize. Should she/he help IT work the various databases and systems or should she/he just focus on clinician education?

I can't help but wonder the level of respect a nurse informaticist receives working from the IT department as opposed to nursing service.

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I found it extremely helpful having first worked on the floor with those who are now being challenged to implement the system, but to work from the IS department, where you have quick access to a wealth of knowledge and resources. We are using the Meditech system, and I support the EDM, LAB and RXM modules. There are instances where being able to turn to the analysts that supports NUR and ask for assistance has kept me from re-inventing the wheel.

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Specializes in Informatics, Education, and Oncology.

Hi Mijourney,

You brought up good points related to "what difference does it make whether the nurse informaticist is from the IT department or from the nursing department? Does this impact the nurses any differently?" and

I can't help but wonder the level of respect a nurse informaticist receives working from the IT department as opposed to nursing service.

There has been ongoing debate within the NI community related to which is best having the informatics nurse report to nursing or IT/IS.

Obviously its not so much the reporting structure as how effective the informatics nurse can be related to what his/her specific goals are. Either way (reporting to NURS or IT) this individual must be a change agent. One who is respected, able to motivate, lead, guide and someone who is viewed as knowledgeable in both clinical practice and the use of technology within the clinical setting.

My own opinions (having reported to the nursing dept in 1 previous role I held and to IS in all subsequent roles) are :

Reporting to IS and actually working for and in that dept has positioned me directly in the stream of decision making and control. Because of my current and previous clinical experience and my knowledge of IS/IT I am viewed by nursing, the medical staff, ancillary staff and IS as an interpreter who understands the issues on both sides.

Nursing comes to IS for guidance and assistance in everything from ROI, change management, system selection, implementation, maintenance, trouble shooting and evaluation. Working directly in IS has allowed me to increase my knowledge of the technology my users are or will be using. Because my co-workers and colleagues are the Chief Information Office, the Network Administrators, the PC support techs, Help Desk personnel and multiple system analysts I am literally immersed in exactly what is going to happen, and what is happening on a daily basis related to how technology can, is and will be utilized. Practicing from this vantage point allows me to make and contribute to decisions that others are only informed about after the fact - I admit I am somewhat of a "control" , type A authoritarian individual - Hey, thus far its worked for me,

Now combine the above with 18 plus years of clinical nursing practice experience + experience in health systems administration and you have = SUPER INFORMATICS NURSE!!! :rotfl: :chuckle

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Yeah, just like I said.............. :rolleyes:

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