Starting informatics career advice

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Dec 28, 2005

Hello Supermom,

Congrats on graduating and on your new position. Unfortunately I cant tell you how to do anything new without experiencing anxiety as I myself recently assumed a new role and (even with 9+yrs in this field) I still have anxiety! So, what I can tell you is to go easy on yourself, try to keep ALL and everything in prospective. Embrace this new learning opportunity. Remember why you chose this specialty and the new position and pat yourself on the back for getting this far!

When I was starting out I made sure I developed contacts, colleagues and mentors (within this specialty) who could help and support me. Feel free to contact me and think about attending HIMSS Nursing Informatics Symposium in Feb. - over 300 Informatics Nurses attended last year and it’s an excellent opportunity to both learn and network.

YOU GO GIRL!!!

Angela

Hi.........I am a recent graduate of a MS program in Clinical Systems Management/Nursing Informatics. I have been working in hospital nursing for 28 years, and am about to take on a new position as a nurse analyst for a healthcare information technology corporation, affiliated with the hospital I work at. Any advice on how I can make this transition without any anxiety? I am computer literate, and have worked with our hospital information system quite well while in my current staff nurse position. I have read the other threads here from informatics nurses and how they got started in the field..........any advice? Thank you......Supermom 2

supermom2 · Dec 28, 2005

Thank you so much for responding. I will keep that seminar in mind for Feb if this company will allow me to go. They already have me going to various training sessions with various vendors. Thanks again.........

emrjobs · Jan 6, 2006

Supermom,

There is a great need right now for individuals with a mixture of clinical and computer experience - for those organizations that are implementing the software, and for those organizations that are selling the software. You may want to check out the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society located at http://www.himss.org.

Good Luck!

Mariah · Jan 15, 2006

Supermom - congratulations on your new position. I'm not sure what type of employer you have. You mention a company, so I perhaps can infer that you work for a vendor or other IT company. I work for a healthcare IT vendor and a few suggestions to help you. (1) They won't expect you to know everything. Many of the day to day things you need to know will be learned on the job such as what needs to be done, how your company does it, what documentation is required, etc. But they will expect you to be willing to learn and to take on new challenges (2) Expect a lot of independence. The role of the NI in a company carries with much independent decision making and initiative. Just by being a nurse, you will be considered an expert and treated with respect. When you speak, they will listen carefully. Don't be afraid to suggest new things or to make your own decisions. This can be one of the hardest things to be comfortable with. But having earned your new degree already shows a lot of initiative and enthusiatism. (3) Expect a much greater diversity in peoples backgrounds, goals, and responsibilities. They will not all be clinicians. Their main focus is not directly the patient/family There will be engineers, business people, accountants, and so on. This requires being aware of who you are talking to and adjusting your communication content appropriately. (4) Other clinicians will be your best source of information and support. This especially include those in the company. This also includes those that you meant at the NI organizations. Congrats again on your new job. It is an exciting new chapter in your life.

ksmith1963 · Jan 16, 2006

Congratulations on your new position. In addition to all the training and courses your vendor will offer, be sure to be an active member of your vendor usergroup and join a nursing networking group and one professional organization. Talk to your colleagues about the merits of these groups but join AMIA nursing informatics working group of HIMSS (or both!) and a local networking group like CARING or ANIA. For a full listing of netowrking groups, visit http://www.nursing.umaryland.edu/%7Esnewbold/skngroup.htm

Subscribe to CIN: Computers, Informatics and Nursing (You get a discount by belonging to one of the aforementioned groups).

And plan to be a "sponge" for a while. Great opportunities - enjoy your new position.

ksmith1963

supermom2 · Jan 16, 2006

Thank you Mariah for the advice. I will be working for an IT company affiliated with the hospital I was working at for many years. I start in one week, and they did mention sending me for training with vendor companies i.e. Cerner, Siemens, etc. I am a little nervous as I have never worked outside of the hospital setting, so I am going in with just many years of clinical knowledge and computer experience to carry me through. The rest will all be learning on the job. Looking forward to this new chapter in my nursing career! Thanks..........

nursembeth · Jan 22, 2006

Thank you for the good advice. I read with interest this thread since I am entering further the world of Nursing Informatics as well. My last position was as a specialist for one area, but tomorrow I begin a new position as Clinical Information Analyst. I am really excited (although a little nervous) about this new opportunity and it feels like a great fit. If anyone has anything further to add, I would greatly appreciate it. Good luck to all.

supermom2 · Jan 22, 2006

Well that makes two of us, as I too start my new position tomorrow as clinical systems analyst. Having been in hospital nursing for 28 years, I am ready for the challenge! I take with me those many years of clinical experience, plus some computer knowledge, and am ready to apply it in my new career. I wish you the best of luck in your new career too..........