Informatics Nursing
Combine Clinical Experience with Technological Savvy in Informatics Jobs
New Specialty Taps Techie Nursing Talent
Informatics nursing is a new specialization that has crept to the forefront over recent years. As the average RN age bracket increases, there is an increasing demand for competent nurses to operate modern computerized applications. Being that the learning curve can be intimidating, opportunities are opening up for those with the technical savvy required.
A New Era in Health Care
As new information technology emerges, the informatics nursing field is growing in size and demand. In modern day, data must be quickly and efficiently shared between various medical groups, often in different locations. Technology is making this possible, at increasing levels of speed and ease.
Informatics gives medical professionals the ability to communicate and work together efficiently and effectively, regardless of physical location. As more institutions adopt electronic work environments, most pertinent patient information can be accessed by online databases or fast online transfers.
Role of Informatics Nurse
The job description for the informatics nurse is still nebulous and is changing daily. However, some of the common responsibilities include:
- New technology training to medical staff.
- Working with application developers to design software and improvements.
The best informatics nurses have technical experience in addition to clinical experience. Having a background in both fields will give the nurse an added advantage as the field continues to evolve.
Informatics Nursing Degrees—Do They Exist?
There is no specialized informatics nursing degree. However, there are alternative education programs one can explore to have the knowledge base necessary for success.
- Masters in Nursing Informatics – Offered by Case Western Reserve University. Three semester advanced degree program. The focus is on theory, real world application and technologies surrounding medical electronic data.
- Registered Nurses with Bachelor’s degrees that show technological proficiency.
- American Nurses Credentialing Center certification
Certification in Nursing Informatics
The most recognized Informatics Nurse Certification is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), in Maryland. The certification evaluates the knowledge base and professional background of the candidate. A wide range of technical and clinical knowledge is evaluated to make sure the potential informatics nurse has the proper level of competence for the job.
The following prerequisites are also required:
- Registered Nurse license.
- Documented clinical experience.
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
- Documented informatics experience /Nurse Informatics Degree
Career Outlook
There exists huge potential for upward mobility and job security within this specialty. As electronic medical information and technologies become more prevalent, an appetite for informatics nurses is growing in medical institutions across the nation. This will inevitably lead to higher salaries and benefit packages for qualified individuals.
