Healthcare is becoming more reliant on technology to store and maintain patient records. The rising need of medical care, and the increasing population is leading to computerized systems taking over the job of receptionists who used to manually file paperwork. This is partly to help patients easily transfer their records, and to help doctors easily access them. This also prevents doctors and pharmacists from making fatal errors in prescribing medications that may contradict one another. This leads to a rapidly growing field called informatics nursing.
What’s the role of an informatics nurse?
An informatics nurse is a fully qualified Registered Nurse (RN) who is extremely adept with computers, and the medical charting software that is used to keep track of patient records. This type of record keeping is easier than having to carry around files filled with loose paper. It makes keeping track of medications, diagnoses made, and procedures accessible in one place without having to search through papers for them. The medical community is hoping to link all computers country wide so having medical records faxed and transferred won’t be necessary. This would equate to less stress, and time spent on both the patient and doctors.
Why are RNs needed for this job?
RNs are needed for this job because of the complex medical terminology and patient information being input into the computers. RNs are also trained to notice medication, and treatment errors that could adversely affect the patient. Not to mention that a lot of doctors' handwriting is hard to read, and nurses can most often understand and read this scribble.
What are the requirements of an informatics nurse?
Schools that offer informatics nursing programs require that the students already have a degree in nursing. Depending on the individual school, this nursing degree could consist of a Bachelor's or an Associate’s degree in Nursing. An associate’s degree is a two-year degree in nursing, whereas a bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete. Some schools will allow nurses to enter into the program with simply a diploma from an accredited nursing school.
Can you take the courses online?
Some schools offer online classes to become a nurse. However, classes require hands-on clinical experience, and you will be required to travel to a hospital that is coordinated with the school. Once you have obtained your regular nursing degree you can then take your NCLEX-RN exam (National Council Licensure and Examination Boards). You must then enroll into a program that offers a master’s degree in informatics nursing. You must make sure you attend a program that is accredited, as becoming certified is dependent on this. After you have completed your schooling and obtained your Master’s in Nursing, you will be required to take an exam held through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). You will be required to take continuing education units (CEU) every year to renew your nursing licensure. Try to find programs through HIMSS or ANCC that offer CEUs in informatics nursing.
What does the future of informatics nursing look like?
The job outlook for informatics nursing is excellent as more doctors’ offices and hospitals are converting over to computerized charting systems. The average salary of an informatics nurse is around $96,000 annually. Informatics nurses have little to no patient contact on regular job hours. Most of the time, they will hold part-time jobs on the weekend at different hospitals that provide regular patient contact. Informatics nurses will generally work Monday-Friday.
If you'd like to work in the medical industry, but prefer not to deal with patients, then this is a career you should consider. It also has a more regular schedule than many nursing professions. Once you meet the above requirements, you're on your way to becoming an informatics nurse.