Many people have never heard of an Informatics Nursing career but this is an essential type of nursing service with great career opportunities and lucrative pay. Typically, a nurse of this type works within a hospital environment although some perform services in a conventional doctor’s office. However, there are some Informatics Nurses who hold positions for medical and healthcare-related consulting firms, vendors, and suppliers.
Informatics Nursing Career, Role of an Informatics Nursing Career
As an Informatics Nurse, several responsibilities are managed. For instance, to write or perhaps make changes to existing computer programs developed specifically for nurses, a nurse programmer would be called in. If a determination needs to be made regarding the right computer system or if nurses using the system need specific training, then the type of Informatics Nurse for the job would be a communicator. Additionally, this type of nurse in the role of vendor representative would be responsible for demonstrating nurse computer systems to secure new customers while a nurse manager would oversee and administer information systems used by nurses.
Informatics Nursing Educational Requirements
The focus of an Informatics nurse is not so much on patient care but on providing tools by which nurses can do their job. However, because this type of job requires extensive nursing knowledge, an individual interested in a career like this would need to be a Registered Nurse. For this, the person could earn an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in nursing, or if preferred, secure a nursing school diploma.
Now, since a career as an Informatics Nurse involves computers, some specific computer training would be required although the type and level would depend on the exact work being done. Along with this, the position of Informatics Nurse has different criteria for each state so someone interested in this type of position would need to determine appropriate computer training needed to be qualified. Coursework unique to this type of nursing would also need to be completed and a certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center acquired.
Informatics Nursing Salaries
Salary potential for an Informatics nurse is quite good with the low end of the scale around $69,000 a year and the high end approximately $84,000 a year. Due to the solid salary scale, it is easy to see the need but also importance a career such as this offers the medical and healthcare profession. Of course, someone who has earned a Master’s degree, a person with more than 10 years of experience, or someone who also undertakes managerial responsibilities could easily make more than $84,000.
Informatics Nursing Opportunities
We live in the age of technology with computers being at the hub. Thanks to sophisticated programs being developed, nurses, doctors, and other medical staff can perform jobs at a better level, with more precision, fewer errors, and lower cost to patients. As an Informatics Nurse, responsibilities include introducing these new systems, providing training and offering ongoing support. Therefore, career opportunities for Informatics Nursing are exceptional now with anticipated greater demand in the future.
