medical vs nursing informatics?

[nebnurse]

i am in the process of researching grad school programs for informatics. I am looking specifically at the Univ of Illinois at Chicago distance program. im an army nurse so i cant do the traditional program. they are one of the few online programs out there that are CAHIIM accredited. i think tennessee is about to get accredited as well. i am a new grad nurse in the army, working towards ICU certification. i love icu and i love computers and the idea of informatics. i have past background in project mgmt and i am very computer savvy.

my question is how realistic is the job market for introductory level applicants like me when i graduate with this degree? what could i expect to make? how long would it take to "climb the ladder" in this field? any advice is appreciated.

also, ive heard medical informatics is more broad and gives you better overall skillsets/knowledge... true? i was also looking at dukes program but that is only nursing informatics and not CAHIIM accredited, and very expensive.

thank you!

[rninformatics, DNP, RN]

I'd have to ask you why you are looking at Grad school. What are your career goals and how does Graduate school figure into those?

Your "past experience in PM" is an excellent skill for an informaticist. How long have you been a practicing nurse? You wrote you were "a new grad" and are you currently working in ICU???

Entry level positions in Informatics are out there. Currently this specialty and its market are exploding!!! There currently great demand for experienced Informaticists and Healthcare IT professionals.

Salary depends on total experience, what the role is, what the hiring manager is looking for and the geographical location.

By the time you graduated with this degree your clinical experience will have increased so this would make you more marketable also...... there are many variables. Again what are your career goals. I'd caution anyone into investing in a graduate degree just because they think the degree alone will security them a job within this specialty - it wont!

Yes Medical or Healthcare Informatics are broader specialties. The skills set you obtain is not exclusive to degree but more so related to your informatics experience.

Hope that Helps and Good Luck!

i am in the process of researching grad school programs for informatics. I am looking specifically at the Univ of Illinois at Chicago distance program. im an army nurse so i cant do the traditional program. they are one of the few online programs out there that are CAHIIM accredited. i think tennessee is about to get accredited as well. i am a new grad nurse in the army, working towards ICU certification. i love icu and i love computers and the idea of informatics. i have past background in project mgmt and i am very computer savvy.

my question is how realistic is the job market for introductory level applicants like me when i graduate with this degree? what could i expect to make? how long would it take to "climb the ladder" in this field? any advice is appreciated.

also, ive heard medical informatics is more broad and gives you better overall skillsets/knowledge... true? i was also looking at dukes program but that is only nursing informatics and not CAHIIM accredited, and very expensive.

thank you!