Need Advise for Nursing Informatics.

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I have few questions about Health IT field. Currently, I am trying to get into this field but don't have the proper guidance by anyone because I don't know anyone who works in this field. I have worked as an LVN for 5-6 years in sub-acute nursing facilities.

I have BSN and have been working at at a local hospital. I have lots of interest in this field and read Nursing Informatics book in my free time. I wanted to ask how do I get into health IT for a position like informaticist or analyst or even a entry level position?

Do I first need to get into a big hospital for a nursing job and then try to get into their IT dept somehow?

Do I need masters to get in?

I was also thinking of doing masters but not sure if I should do it purely in "Nursing/health Informatics" or in general "Masters in Information Technology".

What would be the best masters degree to pick for this field for long-term?

I feel like its hard to get into this field but I really want to, please guide me how do I get my foot in the door in this field? I have no certifications of any kind yet. Please advise. Thank you for your time.

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Hi, I think you should contact the hiring manager or recruiter at some of the hospitals in your area to see exactly what they're looking for. Look at their job postings and see the minimum requirements.

I knew a few nurses that went straight from the hospital into informatics positions (same company) without IT experience. I think they were valued for their experience in leadership and teaching in the hospital.

I work in informatics for a different organization now, and the job description/qualifications tend to focus on teaching experience, since a lot of the job is teaching hospital employees how to use the EHR system. BSN is required for my job, but I do have an MSN and I'm sure that did not work against me.

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What do you have MSN in? What master degree do you recommend for this field?

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Getting an MSN is good but a Masters in Information Systems, Management of Information Systems or something tech related with a data analytics focus would benefit you greatly in Informatics. Look at all the other posts before yours. Many people have asked the same questions as you.

I don't know the state you live in. But, they have reputable EHR management certificate programs from my state like SUNY, CUNY and NYU.

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10 hours ago, Sidharth101 said:

What do you have MSN in? What master degree do you recommend for this field?

My MSN is in nursing education. At my job, there are technical IT staff that have the background and IT related degrees. The nurses are valued more for their ability to teach and knowledge of nursing processes.

It would not have been a good idea for me to pursue a masters in the IT field because I do not have the technical foundation.

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Specializes in Nursing informatics/IT.
On 2/14/2019 at 1:12 PM, Golden_RN said:

My MSN is in nursing education. At my job, there are technical IT staff that have the background and IT related degrees. The nurses are valued more for their ability to teach and knowledge of nursing processes.

It would not have been a good idea for me to pursue a masters in the IT field because I do not have the technical foundation.

I have two Masters. A MSN in Nursing Education and a Masters in Information Systems from the University of California system.

I understand why you wouldn't pursue a masters degree in a Technical field because the level of your job may not require it at the moment.

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Specializes in Nursing informatics/IT.

Long term? If you are interested in becoming more than just a RN-Informaticist at some point in your life then, yes go for the Masters Information Systems or technical related degree. If you are interested in becoming a IT Nurse Leader or even a Chief Nursing Information Officer, The knowledge and skills within the technical domain will be essential. Even if you remain a RN-Informaticist, the technical knowledge and skills provided by Masters programs focused in Technology will still be applicable and useful within the field.

Please feel free to message me if you like.

All the best in your journey and whatever you aspire for!

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On 2/14/2019 at 1:12 PM, Golden_RN said:

My MSN is in nursing education. At my job, there are technical IT staff that have the background and IT related degrees. The nurses are valued more for their ability to teach and knowledge of nursing processes.

It would not have been a good idea for me to pursue a masters in the IT field because I do not have the technical foundation.

The FUTURE of nurses will be valued more for their ability to teach, their knowledge of nursing processes as well as their technical knowledge and skills. The FUTURE is already here. We are in the first wave, called Informatics. Nurses who possess the Nursing and Tech skills will be the most successful in the long term.

Sidharth101, alot of the nurses from NI programs are narrow minded by the pedagogy they are forced to learn. All Nursing Informatics program just tailor Information Systems programs to the healthcare industry at where it is now. But, it so limiting because they leave out important aspects of Information Systems or tech focused degrees that actually are beneficial like Data Warehousing or other courses.

I work on the IT side of my medical center. Not the clinical side of things. The lack of technical preparation and skills from Nurses in the Nursing Informatics field is the reason why I am going to pursue my BSN (They have 1 year programs in my city.) after my BS in Computer Science this upcoming Fall.

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Specializes in Nursing informatics/IT.
2 hours ago, JMR85112 said:

The FUTURE of nurses will be valued more for their ability to teach, their knowledge of nursing processes as well as their technical knowledge and skills. The FUTURE is already here. We are in the first wave, called Informatics. Nurses who possess the Nursing and Tech skills will be the most successful in the long term.

I work on the IT side of my medical center. Not the clinical side of things. The lack of technical preparation and skills from Nurses in the Nursing Informatics field is the reason why I am going to pursue my BSN (They have 1 year programs in my city.) after my BS in Computer Science this upcoming Fall.

As a CS grad, you will be a major asset, if you are able to apply the theories taught. Many moons ago, I considered CS for my second Masters but I preferred the applied aspects of Information Systems. Information Systems is more applicable to Informatics workforce. If you are proficient in the required programming languages like SQL, you will be favorable within the industry.

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Specializes in informatics for 10 years.

Just to reinfornce the idea that you don't need to get a master's degree to get into informatics. What you need is networking skills...Yes, a few years back getting a job was easy, but is still doable. I just met a nurse about a month ago who told me she got a position as a trainer by doing go-live support. She doesn't have a master's degree either.

I believe your question has been covered, not to say beaten to death, in other threads in this forum as it has been asked multiple times. Might be a good idea to do a search and see what was said in the past as that is still applicable.

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Specializes in Nursing informatics/IT.
On 2/15/2019 at 3:48 AM, ikarus7401 said:

Just to reinforce the idea that you don't need to get a master's degree to get into informatics. What you need is networking skills...Yes, a few years back getting a job was easy, but is still doable. I just met a nurse about a month ago who told me she got a position as a trainer by doing go-live support. She doesn't have a master's degree either.

I believe your question has been covered, not to say beaten to death, in other threads in this forum as it has been asked multiple times. Might be a good idea to do a search and see what was said in the past as that is still applicable.

You are correct a masters in Informatics is not needed to gain entry the field, but it is highly preferred. Meaning, if you have it, you will be shortlisted and interviewed even with or without connections. Networking Skills are always a plus and very much needed in any industry. But, you can still be successful without a hoard of connections.

However, if OP wants long term value in her career investments in this field, Masters in Information Systems/Management of Information Systems/Information Technology/Computer Science/Information Science is the way to go.

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Specializes in informatics for 10 years.
On 2/16/2019 at 6:29 AM, JAG_RN10 said:

Networking Skills are always a plus and very much needed in any industry. But, you can still be successful without a hoard of connections.

Networking skills as in, if you don't want to go for a master's degree, then you better go out there and hustle for the job. ? But yea, if you do have a master's degree, helps to get that interview---doesn't guarantee the job. Have seen too many cocky master degree holders demanding salaries that not even experienced candidates get...anyway...this question has been asked too many times and what I really want to know is, why aren't searches being done to see what has been posted before. ?

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