Is it worth it to go get your MS in Clinical Informatics?

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I'm trying to decide if this is a good idea.

I live in Spokane, WA. I have no desire to move at this time. I'm worried that I will spend 30K on a master's degree and not be able to find a job. Of course, the school tells me that like 100% of their students have job offers in their second year, but they just want me to apply.

Any suggestions? Floor nursing just wasn't cut out for me, so I thought this would be a good alternative...

Any recommendations are appreciated...

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

AFAIK, it is definitely worth it when you have appropriate background (nursing, preferably BSN, and IT) and good market.

Most positions I've seen require a few years practical bedside but there are exclusions for people with relevant past experience. I had an undergrad classmate who had long career in IT and management before going to BSN. On second year, he got a big surgery and had to be treated pretty much as a precious glass vase after that. No pushing, chest compressions, lifting anything above X lbs., not getting close to MRI scan, etc. Somehow, he managed to make it to graduation. He went for MSN IT right away and now works for Google, grabbing the sort of money no one of us can ever imagine.

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I have my BSN and have a few years...

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I certainly hope so! I start my MSN in Informatics on Monday LOL

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Where are you going? Where do you live?

I know, I just wanted some reassurance that I am making a good choice. What made you decide to do that over NP?

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Where are you going? Where do you live?

I know, I just wanted some reassurance that I am making a good choice. What made you decide to do that over NP?

Even though I decided on NP I like the niche idea of informatics. With the NP field being saturated in a few years I will probably regret my decision lol.

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Maybe not. I just feel like NPs get abused too much and I would rather not do patient care anymore...

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I didn't want a clinical job. I was a teacher before I was a nurse so I am interested in eventually doing some clinical ed. I kind of fell into the informatics thing. I help out inpatient diabetes educator track lows and follow up with protocols. I also am working on orthopedic care plans that we are missing-then I will start on some of the off-service stuff we see. There are SO many directions you can go. We have been "live" with EPIC since June 2013 and it is ever evolving.

I live in NC, going to Duke.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Informatics is still very hot in my part of the country. Since you're in that area, have you taken a look at OHSU's Clinical Informatics dept? They have certificate programs as well as degrees - and the majority of courses can be done online. They are a very strong/influential school - one of the first Informatics programs. It is housed in the Med School, and is "clinical" rather than "nursing", but I actually think this is an advantage when it comes to looking for jobs because it is a much broader scope.

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Totally agree. I don't want to do patient care anymore.

I'm applying to U of Washington. I'm actually getting excited. Like I said, just don't want to make a mistake but clinical informatics is ever evolving.

Is your program online? I appreciate your response.

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Yes, if I ever decide to do NP, which more and more I think I don't want to, I would go to OHSU. I would want to do their Urban exchange program (i.e.: not pay and work for 3 years in an urban area), otherwise I wouldn't do it to begin with. Wayyy too expensive for their NP program.

University of Washington is more what I want. All online, and housed in their nursing school. It's the appropriate price.

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It also depends how well you excel on the program. If you do good in this field and excel then it would be worth it. IT people can make a lot. However it more about skills and excelling in the career rather than getting the degree. I know a lot people who don't even have degree but making big bucks because they are so good at this stuff.

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