Informatics and Nurse Practitioners

[husker311]

I'm wondering if there is anyone on here that is working in informatics but is/was an NP? I have been working as an FNP for 5 years and recently took a job as a Clinical Informaticist within my hospital. I'm trying to figure out how or even if I can keep my licensure as an RN and NP.

Ultimately I don't know that I'll ever go back to patient practice as an NP but since I've only been in Informatics for 2 months I figure I should try to keep my options open. Does anyone have any experience trying to keep these? What do you do? I'm loving my new position and I feel like I'm really finding my way. Maybe I took a strange route here (and expensive!) but in the end I just want to love my job which wasn't always the case when I worked as an FNP. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

[traumajocknp2b]

Following

[friendlylark]

I am beginning a program in Informatics next month. I am excited! I have a background in web administration prior to becoming a nurse. Do you find that your role in informatics is more analytical than clinical? Do you work with databases? Do you work with Six Sigma and/or Lean? I am not entirely sure what to expect as I pursue an informatics role as a nurse. I am not a nurse practitioner, I am an RN, BSN in an acute care setting.

Sincerely, Anne

[BCRNA]

You could possibly keep your NP license if you can claim your informatics role includes NP issues. It is possible to be 100% administrative and still be a practitioner/anesthetist/etc. Just remember you will lose actual skills and it is not appropriate to do clinical work. I know many CRNAs who are 100% education or hospital administration, and that qualifies.

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

You also need to consider your CEU requirements. For the 5-year recertificaiton, I believe you must have so many "clinical" hours and that may be difficult unless you pick up some PRN time. Depending on the company you are working for, they may require you to maintain licensure...you need to check. I did informatics for several years and although I enjoyed the challenge, I began to miss why I became a nurse...to help people, so I went back to the bedside then pursued my ANP degree. Am much happier now.