Where do I go from here?

INwannaB,

Wow i see all these amazingly smart well educated people on here wondeing if they need the next 2 degrees before thinking about applying for a job in Informatics. I was an LPN (almost graduated with my associates degree in Nursing) when i applied for my job as a System Analyst. I got the job by being hands on as a end user with Epic and striving to do my best. No BSN, no MSN, no specialized degree in NI. Just a drive and ambition and a workplace that was continuing to go live with an electronic medical record.

Has any of the nurses or people in general who have a desire to work with an EMR, applied for a nurisng job at a place that has an EMR now? worked there for a bit to see if it's what you want and gone for it? I debate getting my BSN at my ripe old age of 43 because i'm already in the EMR now. Will it benefit me at the place i work? ( I plan on retiring from here..not moving on-- i think that matters too)

I think people need to get their hands wet, so to say, and get a job working with the sytem and being a super user if you can, also being proactive ans trying to help others with it. I made tons of power points for our department so others that lacked skills, would get it. I did that for our department not to get ahead. I discovered my passion for the EMR this way.

My department is still looking for System Analysts, and only says a BSN perfered.

If you live in the Columbus Ohio area, has any type of experience and want to work with the EMR, go to the Nationwide Childrens Hospital website and look up both nursing and IS and see the jobs and what they want from a person and see what you have already.

Never trying to ding a futhering of a Eduation...please get what you need to be happy in your life...but also see what you can do now and where you can go now before investing years into a degree you may or may not want to use without trying it out.

This is just my views and again...i would never say do not go back to school

Gayle

I loved being a systems analyst. It was the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. I loved the traveling, working with the developers, helping end users. I want so badly to do it again but from a nursing perspective. I have applied to every single IS position in my area, even if they say they want a BSN or MSN. I have even applied with the vendors directly and willing to relocate. Also applied to several recruiting firms. Not sure what else I can do. I guess you just have to be in the right place at the right time.

You did not mention what degree you have now, which can determine your path. You have a excellent set of skills for nursing informatics, especially from the system analyst approach. Also, you did not mention how much nursing experience you have but it sounds like maybe 2 years. If you don't have a BS in something, it may be tougher, but I think your experience may compensate for that. Check also HIMSS.org job bank for positions. Also, if you can track down some head hunters as well. Many people in the technology field, not nursing, are hired via head hunters that specialized in healthcare It. They have vendor and hospital positions. Look for Healthcare Technology recruitment on the internet.

short term: apply for positions in nursing and clinical informatics. apply for clinical analyst positions at your current organization and others. fyi, those positions may be entry level and you may have to take a cut in salary related to your current nursing salary scale............and maybe not as you have previous analyst (although not healthcare) experience

long term: once you have secured a position then decide what you want to do for the next 10-20 years and go from there. be aware that a ni degree does not guarantee you a position.

good luck!

hi gang,

before becoming an rn two years ago, i spent 4 years as a systems analyst at a financial institution. i didn't code or anything but i spent eight years doing the following:

attended system development calls and participated in conceptual design sessions for the purpose of achieving estimated costs associated with the construction of new system enhancements.

met regularly with employees of various departments to determine what system enhancements would be beneficial to the department.

traveled to multiple locations to validate production screens and programs in a test environment to determine if defects exist. submitted the errors to it to fix in the live database at uat.

participated in multi center processing during live production installs and troubleshooting after the install.

researched trouble tickets and provided solutions to end users.

responsible for staff coaching and development of over 200 representatives in our customer service call center.

reviewed and streamlined job responsibilities to reduce costs and increase quality improvement.

prepared data, compiled reports, tracked systemic problems and provided research and quality control support to various management teams.

conducted audits to assess standards of quality, and developed guidelines, process measurements and controls to ensure continuous improvements in quality standards.

creation of learning modules, e-learning and work/life program.

application design, validation, testing, staff education and go-live support.

after practicing at the bedside, i have come to the conclusion that i may be happier combining my experience in it and nursing. i am not sure what avenue to take at this point. do i get my bsn and then msn in informatics? do i put my resume out there and see who bites? i am 42 and really want to settle into something that fulfills and challenges me. bedside is not doing it for me. please give me your pearls of wisdom. what would be the next step if you were me?

By all means do what you love.......follow your passion.

I'm surprised that in this climate (Meaningful use, ARRA, etc) you have not gotten a better response. Could it be how you are marketing yourself/your resume?

Perhaps its the geographical area you are located in.

Send me an e-mail or pm, we can connect via phone and lets brain storm.........the market is currently exploding and I am beating off recruiters, headhunters and job offers.

Lets see why your combination of skills is being overlooked and go from there.

I loved being a systems analyst. It was the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. I loved the traveling, working with the developers, helping end users. I want so badly to do it again but from a nursing perspective. I have applied to every single IS position in my area, even if they say they want a BSN or MSN. I have even applied with the vendors directly and willing to relocate. Also applied to several recruiting firms. Not sure what else I can do. I guess you just have to be in the right place at the right time.