How to Become a Nurse Informaticist

Computer Nurse

Nursing informatics is a specialty within the nursing profession. This is for nurses who would like to enter the field of nursing informatics.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Clinical nursing experience
• Some computer knowledge - Windows, email, Internet
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
• Resume

Instructions

1. Update resume and highlight your experience in computers or management.

2. Join nursing associations such as American Nursing Informatics Association, CARING, American Medical Informatics Association, or HIMSS.

3. Obtain your Master of Science in Nursing Informatics degree.

4. Decide what type of work setting is preferable to you - hospital, vendor, consulting firm.

5. Look for nurse informaticists jobs in your current place of employment.

6. Volunteer to be a superuser or train fellow staff nurses on medical software.

7. Search the internet for nursing informatics positions.

8. Post your resume on careerbuilder.com, monster.com and other job search websites.

9. Send your resume to a recruiter specializing in Information Technology or healthcare informatics.

10. Set up a phone interview with health care recruiter and tell them who you are and what you can contribute to the profession.

11. Recruiter will set up an interview with company.

12. Interview with company and highlight your computer experience. Speak positively about your nursing experience and what you can offer the company.

13. Attend nursing informatics conferences nationally and locally.

Tips & Warnings

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred

• Have at least 5 years of clinical experience, preferably in an acute care setting

• Know and understand basic computer skills and how a computer works

• Have some knowledge of software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access

Resources

• American Nursing Informatics Association