Interested in nursing informatics degree/experience...

Specialties Informatics

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Hi All,

I'm interested in pursuing a career in nursing informatics and have been reading some of the posts on this board. I've seen at least a dozen posts saying that a degree in nursing informatics isn't necessary and to get experience in the field. Like some of the other users I've seen post on this board, I'm not entirely sure how to go about that in my workplace.

I have 5.5 years of nursing experience, the first 2 years were bedside nursing in hospitals and the last 3.5 years I have worked at a college health center. I have about 2 years of leadership experience in my current role, which includes things like quality improvement projects that often icorporate changes to our EHR, running reports on the EHR, and training new nurses on how to use different aspects of the EHR.

I'm not sure how much opportunity for involvement in IT there is beyond this. Because this is a small organization (we employee ~ 20 nurses and ~30 providers, in addition to support staff) we don't have "superusers" and our EHR is college health specific, so I don't have training in epic or other major EHR systems.

And in your opinions, is an MSN in nursing informatics really just not at all worthwhile? The university I work for has an MSN program and if accepted most of the tuition would be paid by my employer. But if the degree is completely useless, I don't want to waste 3 years or so of time and hard work. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in informatics for 10 years.
Hi All,

I'm not entirely sure how to go about that in my workplace.

I have 5.5 years of nursing experience, the first 2 years were bedside nursing in hospitals and the last 3.5 years I have worked at a college health center. I have about 2 years of leadership experience in my current role, which includes things like quality improvement projects that often icorporate changes to our EHR, running reports on the EHR, and training new nurses on how to use different aspects of the EHR.

And in your opinions, is an MSN in nursing informatics really just not at all worthwhile? The university I work for has an MSN program and if accepted most of the tuition would be paid by my employer. But if the degree is completely useless, I don't want to waste 3 years or so of time and hard work. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

What do you mean you don't know how to go about it? You already went about it! :yes:

You just said that you were involved in projects that incorporated changes to your EHR, and traning new nurses---this is the type of experience that's talked about when saying, get involved in your job with your EHR/EMR.

The next step would be to update your resume, and incorporate and highlight this relevant informatics experience in your resume and then apply for jobs.

If your final goal is to go into a leadership role, then the MSN informatics degree is worthwhile to get, since most leadership roles require you to have a master's degree.

Given that you can get an analyst role without a master's degree, I usually say the master's degree is not necessary to enter the field of informatics. Some people believe that without a master's, you can't get a job in informatics, but that's not true at all.

But since you already have relevant informatics experience, even though you might not realize it, I would definitely update my resume, and apply for jobs. Now, if you see yourself at this employer for the next 3 years and they pay for your tuition, then not a bad idea to give the degree a go, if you have the time, specially if in the future, you're considering to get a management role in the field.

However, if at the present time you just want to get in the field ASAP, I would update the resume and apply for jobs.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Great advice above. It's definitely not that the degree is useless, but it's just not typically necessary to have it to get that first informatics job. I am not working directly in informatics, but in my current role I definitely use my informatics degree! I would encourage you to take advantage of the education that is being offered to you if you don't want to change jobs just yet.

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I agree. You have relevant Nursing Informatics (NI) experience and, obviously, do not need an MSN to work in NI. My story is slightly opposite yours!

I want 100% of my practice to be in NI and decided to get my MSN after 26 years of RN practice. This year, I completed my MSN-Nursing Informatics Specialty track; I am an Informatics Nurse Specialist (INS) through formal training. I do not have relevant NI experience, so I am applying to Leadership jobs not in NI, and volunteering in any NI work going on in my organization in order to gain the precious NI experience you have!

It's great you are doing your research!

Best wishes as you decide your path!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I am getting my informatics degree because I work at a teaching facility and it will allow me to move from the health system side to the university side (I will continue on to my DNP). Right now I am doing a practicum where I get to help the ABSN students learn charting in a Sim lab. They need help with the medical students as well. I am loving it and it might turn into something really cool. The really neat part of Informatics is that there seem to be many options. I think the degree will help open up more.

If your facility is going to pay for it, I would say go for it! Good Luck in whatever you choose :)

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I dont suggest the MSN in informatics

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What do you suggest?

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

why not MSN in Informatics? I have a pretty bright future with it where I am-the organization.

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