No vs nursing informatics

Alicia777, MSN, NP · May 29, 2016

Actually I started in informatics-but decided I didn't want to be sitting in front of a computer all day or trying to train other nurses to use systems. I wanted to be with patients on the clinical side of things. I also knew I'd take a pay cut-at least to begin with. You should try and shadow an informatics APN and an NP and go from there..

Jwallacenash · May 30, 2016

What do you mean by pay cut? Do informatics make more than an NP?

Alicia777, MSN, NP · May 30, 2016

What do you mean by pay cut? Do informatics make more than an NP?

No, not huge cut. I would say NPs in my specialty, surgery make more than Informatics APNs

OwlNation · Aug 17, 2016

Are any of the core classes that you need applicable to both programs and can you take them before committing to one of the programs? Can you get your NP and then add on informatics (I am not that familiar with the education needed for informatics, so these questions may not even be applicable!)

DrCOVID, DNP · Aug 19, 2016

Informatics APNs

1) Nurse informaticists are not APNs/APRNs.

2) A lot of places you don't need anything special to get into informatics. Search this forum, a lot of people get into with no extra education.

3) There are 9 total Master's degree programs that are CAHIIM accredited in the total US. Why so few? Supply/demand. Most health information programs are Bachelor's level.

4) Marshall University | Health Informatics; nursing informatics salaryh - Bing

Average salary - 70k. That's less than most floor RNs. I wouldn't invest in an advanced degree if there is not a 'decent' return.

5) Look at some curriculum... interesting?

6) The curriculums are completely different for informatics and NP; one is information management while the other is clinical practice based. 2 different things!