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.

Specializes in Nursing informatics/IT.
On 2/16/2019 at 3:55 PM, ikarus7401 said:

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.

Remember there are people with Masters Degrees and experience in the field hustling for that job too. There are no guarantees whether it be a degree or a connection made. Just because a person made a connection doesn't guarantee the job either. ? But whom am I to say anything with my two masters degrees, my over 120k yearly salary, and my position as an IT Nurse Leader at a Leading Hospital in Cali .

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On 2/16/2019 at 3:55 PM, ikarus7401 said:

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. ?

Lol is that a way of you justify your desire not to get your masters?

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On 2/17/2019 at 9:46 PM, JAG_RN10 said:

Remember there are people with Masters Degrees and experience in the field hustling for that job too. There are no guarantees whether it be a degree or a connection made. Just because a person made a connection doesn't guarantee the job either. ? But whom am I to say anything with my two masters degrees, my over 120k yearly salary, and my position as an IT Nurse Leader at a Leading Hospital in Cali .

Yeah, there are more people pursuing masters degrees. I don't know if I want to get a Masters myself. After this CS degree then the one year BSN, I don't know if I will have the desire for a Masters. Well, see I guess.

But, congrats to you and all your accomplishments and successes.

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I think the another benefit of Master in information system with analytics degree instead of just nursing informatics degree is that you can work in other fields too, outside of healthcare such as regular IT companies. What you think?

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On 3/24/2019 at 11:15 AM, SV101 said:

I think the another benefit of Master in information system with analytics degree instead of just nursing informatics degree is that you can work in other fields too, outside of healthcare such as regular IT companies. What you think?

Yeah I agree. It is something that is applicable across alot of industries, whether someone decides at some point they want to change careers like a IT Healthcare Consultant or even after retiring, if they want to work but don't want something too demanding like dealing with patients.

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I am 29 yr old male and have never coded. I thought of doing master in computer science but it seems very hard and too much maths. Then I thought of MIS and can't decide which school to go to because most of them want you to know 1 programming language, and have GRE tests and require high level Maths. Then I though of doing Master in Health informatics and lean some programming on the side when I am done. Most of the jobs on the job board ask for Master in health or nursing informatics. I am very confused. I know you are more knowledgeable in this area. Please advise on how to go about this. Thanks a lot.

If possible can I talk to you on whatsapp or in email? Please let me know and thanks you for helping.

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What town and state do you live in?

MIS is a much applicable degree than CS in the field and not so math heavy. I would recommend CS for research based work and it's very math heavy. Programming is going to be a requirement for any reputable MIS, CS or Informatics program. That is unavoidable. Stay away from the for-profit universities like Capella, University of Phoenix, Kaplan, GovernorWestern, all these schools are diploma mills. If you do an online program, try to go to public universities, such as CUNY or SUNY in my state.

To answer your question, you should complete a free MOOC course on a programming language. I recommend Python because it's usually the language that is best for beginners and it's used a lot in Analytics and Data Science. SQL is used too. Stay small. First learn Python. It's not going to be overnight. Do a chapter a week.

Most of the jobs I have come across for Informatics is mostly preferred, not required and they say "or related degree." MIS is a related degree compared to Nursing Informatics. But, I would ask JAG about that, he/she is in field more so than I.

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California, Fremont

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6 hours ago, AK66 said:

California, Fremont

I would apply for public colleges/universities. That's me though. I am not a fan of debt. Plus, they are looked upon more favorably.

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What do you think of Walden University. Masters in Information Technology with specialization in data analytics?

Or should I do masters in data analytics in a public university?

Or masters in informatics in public university?

https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/ms-in-information-technology/curriculum/big-data-analytics

http://www.sjsu.edu/pdp/programs/msda/

http://ischool.sjsu.edu/ms-informatics

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On 4/1/2019 at 2:38 PM, AK66 said:

What do you think of Walden University. Masters in Information Technology with specialization in data analytics?

Or should I do masters in data analytics in a public university?

Or masters in informatics in public university?

https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/ms-in-information-technology/curriculum/big-data-analytics

http://www.sjsu.edu/pdp/programs/msda/

http://ischool.sjsu.edu/ms-informatics

STAY AWAY FROM WALDEN UNIVERSITY. It is one of those for profit, private universities that will make you take out massive loans and have no value in the workforce.

San Jose State University seems like a good university. But, the University of California system is the best option. keep in mind, Analytics deals with more creating value of the data that is stored.

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So you recommend doing MIS with analytics than just doing Ms in analytics right? I cant find good local MIS program.

Ok i will stay away from walden.

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