rnformaticsr4me

That's the advantage of online courses, most of the time you can do homework and classwork at your convenience. As long as you stay motivated and set a scheduled time for classwork, you should do fine. Good Luck!

Some courses were time consuming due to the required projects I had to complete . Others were time consuming due to frequent use of 'Blackboard' and other systems to maintain participation. Keep in mind 'online programs' are different from nursing school. You must be self-motivated and willing to make the commitment to do this on your own. IT/IS courses generally demonstrate your success through hands-on projects. These projects help you learn and gain the skills needed to be successful within the informatics field. Just like a real project, they are usually time consuming. Testing varies with each course. Some courses test book knowledge while other courses test application of knowledge and skills. I hope this helps and doesn't scare you away. It is worth the effort. Before you know it, you will graduate.

I just graduated with my Masters in Health Informatics, so maybe I can address some of your questions. Health Informatics is concerned with improving patient safety and quality of care through the innovative use of technology. Integration and transparency of data and information enables patient healthcare to improve. As a nurse, you are able to effect change and ensure the changes needed are the ones being implemented. That is why nurses are so valuable to the informatics field. It is a difficult field to enter due to the government requirements and timelines. In order to meet the deadlines, everyone wants experience. If you work within an acute care setting or ambulatory practice, get involved with the implementation/upgrades of the system. Serve as a super user and volunteer to help. This is invaluable experience. While jobs are difficult to come by, they are not impossible to obtain. If you think outside the box, opportunities are available. I have served as an implementation specialist at provider practices, gaining hands on support skills; and have just accepted a position as a healthcare analyst with a major insurance company. While being Masters prepared gives me initials, it does not give me experience. Pay is based on experience, so be prepared to look for other positive aspects of the positions; such as gaining skills and becoming more marketable.

Well....just because I am biased and a new graduate, I would give kudos to Northern Kentucky University. They have both an MHI and an MSN-NI program. I graduated with my MHI. I had many classes to help prepare me and also had (2) capstone experiences. Both programs covered the basics of database, project management, and research. I also took courses in Systems Analysis & Design, Data Warehousing & Data Mining, and MHealth. There were many electives to choose from depending on your preferences. My courses were all online and I only stepped on campus two times. Once for a meet/greet and the second time for graduation. I lived a distance from the campus and appreciated this convenience. Take a look at nku.edu as you are exploring your options. Good Luck!

I too had degrees in IT without experience. I have (2) A.S. degrees in Computer/Internet Programming but never worked in the field. I went back to school and earned my BSN and decided to pursue health informatics for my masters program. I just graduated from Northern Kentucky University with my MHI (May 11, 2013) and I think they have a pretty good program. I took courses in Project Management, Database Management, Data Warehousing/Data Mining, Systems Analysis & Design, Knowledge Management, Research Methods for Health Informatics, and Mobile Health. If you have healthcare experience, you may want to pursue the MHI; otherwise there are degrees in Business Informatics that may allow you to take some of the same courses.

I think it matters less where you get your degree, but just that you have it. It opens doors. However the experience is what everyone is seeking. I just graduated from Northern Kentucky University with my MHI (May 11, 2013) and I think they have a pretty good program. I took courses in Project Management, Database Management, Data Warehousing/Data Mining, Systems Analysis & Design, Knowledge Management, Research Methods for Health Informatics, and Mobile Health. They now offer an MSN-NI program with most of the same courses, plus a few more related to nursing. The big difference is cost. My program was strictly online and I paid $450+/credit hour. It is now $510/credit hour, which is much more reasonable than alot of other programs. Good Luck and Good Knowledge!!!!

Thank you!!! It does help.

I was speaking of the informatics qualifications for practice requirements (These are directly from the ANCC website): – Have practiced a minimum of 2,000 hours in informatics nursing within the last 3 years. – Have practiced a minimum of 1,000 hours in informatics nursing in the last 3 years and completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of academic credit in informatics courses that are part of a graduate-level informatics nursing program. – Have completed a graduate program in informatics nursing containing a minimum of 200 hours of faculty-supervised practicum in informatics nursing. I have over 1,000 hours but not the 2,000 hours of practice to qualify without my graduate education. Notice the graduate programs stipulate only a graduate-level informatics nursing program. I am trying to find out if anyone has used the MHI in place of this program requirement.

I have my BSN and will graduate with my Masters in Health Informatics in May. I would like to obtain my RN-BC Informatics certification. Unless I am misunderstanding, the qualifications for the RN-BC Informatics certification state that you must have your MSN in Nursing Informatics. Has anyone qualified to test with their MHI? I tried calling the number but had to hang up after a long hold time.

I will soon have both. I have (2) A.S. degrees in Computer & Internet programming and in May, 2013 will graduate with my Masters in Health Informatics. With my IT degrees I learned about the technical side of things, which gave me a good foundation. With my MHI program I was able to continue on and took classes in Data Mining & Warehousing, Database Design, Systems Analysis & Design, and Project Management. In addition, I learned alot about the importance of Meaningful Use and changing healthcare within the United States. If you can find a program that gives you the best of both worlds, like the one I am in, then I think you will be better off. However it all depends on where you see your career in 5 to 10 years. If you want to work in the IT world, I would stress the IT degree. If you want to be more of the liaison or voice for nursing, patients, and physicians; then look at informatics.

I had a very difficult time getting my big break into the informatics field, so I appreciate your concern. I went on 2nd and 3rd interviews without success. I have 2 A.S. degrees in Computer Programming & Internet Programming; my BSN; and working toward my Masters in Health Informatics. I was a nurse on the floor for 3 1/2 years where I served on the Informatics Committee and also worked as a Super User during upgrades. The field is tough to get into without experience. However, I started expanding my search location and eventually obtained a position as a systems analyst and worked on ambulatory care implementations. Being open and eager helped. I don't think there is a magic answer to how to break into informatics; except polish your resume, go in with an encouraging attitude, and STRESS every accomplishment---now matter how small. I began stressing how much I worked with the physicians and nurses during upgrades, don't lie but toot your own horn. These interviews are very competitive so there is no room for being modest. GOOD LUCK!

Thank you all for your support. Through better preparation and some changes in my thoughts (power of intention!), I just received a wonderful offer for an informatics position. I am very blessed by GOD and a great networking tool like this, to support me.

rninformatics, Thank you for the sharing the interview techniques. I have printed them out and will review them. I realize I SHOULD be interviewing them. However, when my stress and anxiety peak during these panel interviews, my only thoughts are of 'survival.' I need to find ways to eliminate the anxiety in order to become successful.

rninformatics, Thank you for listing both websites. I will look at them and see what I should alter. I do realize I should be interviewing the team regarding the position, but once the stress and anxiety escalates, I lose all perspective. I need to find ways to prevent it from happening. What do they always say? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Dreamer-RN, Thank you for your suggestion. Preparing a list of my questions and then using that list to jot down notes sounds pretty brilliant. It provides me with a not so obvious crutch, at least until I can get over my anxiety.