Informatics RN vs. Allied Halth Management Degree??

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Specializes in HH, SNF, LTC, Hospital.

I'm on my way to my new career. I've had previous careers (5-10 years each with great success) in Inventory Management and Computer Programming.

I'm a 40 y/o CNA now, with back problems, I was previously aiming for RN, but am being realistic that it's NOT back-friendly but I love this field....I'm considering Informatics and have NO IDEA where to start... I can work 4/8's or 3/12's now but my health will suffer if I continue using my back more than my brain!

Does an Informatics RN require floor experience beyond what I have as a CNA or would part of the program be for me to work in a hospital situation?

Another possibility is to pursue something like an Allied Health Management degree, I have Pell money available, but am just stumped and need some direction.

Any advice is welcomed!

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To the best of my knowledge, for informatics you'd still need to get through nursing school. Which could definitely be hard on your back if it's injured.

Best of luck as you go forward!

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Go for the health management. Even after computerized records, files need to be maintained, charts/results sent out, etc. I just got laid off as the informatics nurse in my facility. The HIM peeps are still there.

:)

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Go for the health management. Even after computerized records, files need to be maintained, charts/results sent out, etc. I just got laid off as the informatics nurse in my facility. The HIM peeps are still there.

:)

Unless I'm misreading the OP, a degree in allied health management is not the same as a degree in health information management (what we used to call "medical records" -- why do we have to keep changing the names of all the hospital departments??? :)) It's more like an "MBA lite" - focused on managing people in healthcare settings.

For the OP, Suesquatch may be on to something -- a degree in health information mgmt and a career in medical records (health info mgmt, now) might be a good choice for you; the computer background and inventory control would be a plus, plus less time on your feet, heavy lifting, etc. Something to think about ...

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Well, what the hey is "allied health management"?

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Go for the health management. Even after computerized records, files need to be maintained, charts/results sent out, etc. I just got laid off as the informatics nurse in my facility. The HIM peeps are still there.

:)

I am so sorry to hear this and it is very short sighted...

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