RN CODING

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Specializes in NICU, Level IV.

Hello,

I wanted to reach out to the RNs that are currently coding or working in analytics or informatics. I’ve become interested in this type of field related to nursing, but I don’t know where to start to seem more desirable since I need experience. Where did you start?

 

Thank you! 

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Specializes in Informatics, Critical Care, Case Management.

Hi Len, 

I'm sure that you know but you can search the board for people who have the same questions and have a similar situation as you. Coding, Analytics, and Informatics are three very different things to be involved in. As a nurse I would recommend being involved in nursing informatics first (if you don't have an IT background), so that you will get your feet wet in the field, meet people in IT and Analyst departments and work closely with them. 
If you have an IT background or an IT bent and you can learn things like coding and database administration very easily I believe all you need to do is start networking and prove that you can be useful to those departments. 

Just FYI, Informatics involves things like EHR implementation, seeing where changes need to be made for efficiency, educating staff on use, etc. Coding and Analytics are not Informatics, per se, but coders can be definitely be EHR analysts who work closely with Informaticists and build the product.

Likewise, Analytics deals less with Informatics and more with research and business intelligence and all that. 

Again, ask around, shadow people, read articles, be more familiar with the field and, above all, be sure it's something you can see yourself be passionate about. 

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Specializes in NICU, Level IV.
On 1/14/2021 at 10:02 AM, RuggerKJ RN said:

Hi Len, 

I'm sure that you know but you can search the board for people who have the same questions and have a similar situation as you. Coding, Analytics, and Informatics are three very different things to be involved in. As a nurse I would recommend being involved in nursing informatics first (if you don't have an IT background), so that you will get your feet wet in the field, meet people in IT and Analyst departments and work closely with them. 
If you have an IT background or an IT bent and you can learn things like coding and database administration very easily I believe all you need to do is start networking and prove that you can be useful to those departments. 

Just FYI, Informatics involves things like EHR implementation, seeing where changes need to be made for efficiency, educating staff on use, etc. Coding and Analytics are not Informatics, per se, but coders can be definitely be EHR analysts who work closely with Informaticists and build the product.

Likewise, Analytics deals less with Informatics and more with research and business intelligence and all that. 

Again, ask around, shadow people, read articles, be more familiar with the field and, above all, be sure it's something you can see yourself be passionate about. 

Thank you for the advice!

It's been really difficult to find connections and figure out what I truly want to do. I have been trying to do my research... as well, do you know if I have to get my masters for either? I tried looking up entry-level jobs and even certifications but nothing seems clear.

 

Thank you!

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Specializes in Informatics, Managed Care.

Hi @Len - glad you are considering going into health tech. I made the switch almost 10 years ago. I actually wrote an article about it that may help you: https://writingfuturehealth.com/how-I-went-from-bedside-nurse-to-informatics-nurse/

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