crtinformatics

I would say it depends on where you want to work. Are you only wanting to work in a hospital setting? The hospital setting does not generally require a certification in informatics. However, if you are interested in government contract work, Nursing Informatics leadership, or software development, those fields will usually require either an advanced degree or certificate in informatics. Good luck whatever you decide to do! Casey

Hi Kirby Lynn, I wanted to bump and update this thread for others. I recently took (May 15, 2014) and passed the ANCC NI certification exam on my first try. I used the practice questions you mentioned (now $125 for 200 questions). I also downloaded a draft copy of the ANA Standards off the internet for free (a lot of this info was on the test) and bought two study guides and flashcards from Amazon. This book on Amazon made the most sense to me and I liked it better than the Mometrix one (although I did study both). Nursing Informatics: A Guide to Informatics and Nursing Certification: Nursing Informatics Team: 9781940978895: Amazon.com: Books Informatics Nurse Exam Secrets Study Guide: Informatics Test Review for the Informatics Nurse Certification Exam (Mometrix Secrets Study Guides): 9781609719760: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com Informatics Nurse Exam Flashcard Study System: Informatics Test Practice Questions & Review for the Informatics Nurse Certification Exam (Cards): Informatics Exam Secrets Test Prep Team: 9781609719777: Amazon.com: Books In addition to these study guides and the practice questions from ANA, I also reviewed my database book, my project management book, and my basic informatics books from school. I recently graduated from an MSN program this May. I didn't take any ANCC prep courses as none were available and I was ready to take this test. I spent about 8 weeks studying hard and preparing. I went in to the test about as prepared as I could be without a study group. Hope this info helps you. Towards the end, I focused on understanding and comprehending what the ANCC practice questions were trying to ask. I tried to answer the questions in my head without any answers. Some of that content was on my test and I felt it was worth the extra $125. In addition, those questions helped prepare me for the "situational" questions on the actual certification exam. It is definitely a test you have to study and prepare for! Hope this info is helpful to someone taking this exam in the future. Casey