Like many bedside nurses, you may be looking to shift from direct patient care to a more office-based, analytical role. Switching to nursing informatics can be an appealing career change.
Would you like the ability to influence healthcare delivery on a systemic level? That’s one of the many rewarding opportunities in the field of nursing informatics. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities for career advancement, along with potentially higher salaries.
To succeed in the nursing informatics field, you’ll need an interest in healthcare technology. Professionals in this field (known as nurse informaticists or clinical informatics specialists) enhance healthcare delivery through the effective use of technology.
And nursing informatics is becoming a more established field. Of 1,118 nursing informaticists surveyed, 39% had over 10 years of experience in informatics, with most (76%) saying they were “highly satisfied” with their career, according to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) 2022 Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey.
Key responsibilities of nursing informatics
Nursing informatics has gained significant traction in recent years, offering a unique pathway for professional growth. This specialty merges nursing science with information technology (IT), and analytical sciences.
The nursing informatics field revolves around the implementation and optimization of electronic health records (EHRs), healthcare databases, and other information systems. Nursing informatics professionals work to ensure that data is accurately collected, stored, and used to improve patient care and streamline healthcare operations.
As a nursing informatics professional, your primary duties will include:
- Developing and maintaining EHR systems: You’ll collaborate with IT professionals to develop and implement EHR systems and healthcare technologies. This involves tailoring these systems to meet the specific needs of healthcare providers and patients.
- Data management and analysis: You’ll collect, manage, and analyze clinical data to improve patient care and streamline healthcare operations. This includes ensuring the accuracy and integrity of data and using data analytics to inform clinical decisions.
- Training and support: You’ll provide ongoing support to healthcare staff on the use of new technologies. This helps ensure that all users can effectively use these systems, which is essential for maintaining high standards of patient care.
- Quality improvement: You’ll participate in, or perhaps even lead, quality improvement initiatives that leverage data to enhance clinical workflows, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency.
- Compliance and security. You’ll ensure that healthcare information systems comply with federal regulations and industry standards. This includes maintaining data privacy and security to protect patient information.
10 steps to switch to nursing informatics
- Assess your skills and interests. Evaluate your interest in technology and data management. Identify your strengths and how they align with informatics roles. For instance, can you analyze large sets of clinical data to identify trends, make predictions, and inform decision-making? This involves proficiency in data analytics and a strong grasp of statistical methods.
- Gain relevant education and certifications. Enroll in programs that offer courses in health informatics, Many institutions offer specialized degrees, such as a Master’s in Nursing Informatics. Obtain certifications like the Certified Informatics Nurse (RN-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
- Develop technical skills. Familiarize yourself with different EHR platforms. Many institutions offer training programs or online tutorials. Develop proficiency in data management and analysis tools. Courses in database management, SQL, and healthcare data analytics can be beneficial. Knowledge of programming languages and database management can be advantageous.
- Gain practical experience. Look for informal opportunities within your current job to work on informatics projects. This could involve participating in EHR implementation teams or quality improvement initiatives. Seek internships in healthcare IT departments to gain hands-on experience.
- Build a professional network in nursing informatics. Become a member of organizations, such as HIMSS or the American Nursing Informatics Association (ANIA). These organizations provide networking opportunities, resources, and continuing education. Participate in conferences and workshops focused on healthcare informatics to stay updated on industry trends.
- Update your resume and online profiles. Tailor your resume to emphasize your informatics skills and experiences. Include any coursework, certifications, and projects related to health informatics. Update your LinkedIn profile and other professional networks to reflect your new skills and career objectives.
- Apply for nursing informatics positions. Use job boards like the Nurse.com talent marketplace, professional networks, and recruitment agencies. Customize your cover letter and resume for each position, highlighting your nursing background and informatics expertise.
- Prepare for interviews. Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of EHR systems, data management, and healthcare regulations. Provide examples of how you have used technology to solve problems in your previous roles. You’ll also want to emphasize your communication skills. Effective communication is essential for training healthcare staff, collaborating with IT professionals, and presenting data findings to stakeholders.
- Continue professional development. The field of informatics is continually evolving and you’ll need to keep up. Stay current with the latest technologies, regulations, and best practices through continuous education.
- Seek mentorship. Find a mentor who’s experienced in nursing informatics to guide you through your career transition.
Nursing informatics is impacting healthcare
The nurse informatics field is having a profound impact on the healthcare system. Improved data management and analytics lead to better clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. Predictive analytics can identify patients at risk for complications, enabling early interventions.
Streamlining clinical workflows and administrative processes reduces the time and effort required for documentation and data retrieval. This allows healthcare providers to focus more on patient care.
By maintaining rigorous data security and compliance with regulations, nurse informaticists protect patient information and uphold the integrity of healthcare institutions. Through continuous improvement and adaptation of new technologies, nurse informatics professionals foster a culture of innovation in healthcare. This leads to more effective, efficient practices.
Challenges and considerations for nursing informatics
Expect a learning curve when transitioning from bedside nursing to nursing informatics. Adapting to new technologies and workflows can be challenging, especially if you have limited prior experience with IT systems.
Balancing further education, certification, and gaining practical experience while working can be demanding. Moving from a clinical environment to an office setting requires adjustments in work habits and expectations. However, all of these challenges can be mitigated with proper planning and perseverance.
Nursing informatics plays a critical role in modern healthcare, driving advances in patient care, operational efficiency, and data security. Shifting to nursing informatics is a strategic career move that presents new challenges, that’s for certain.
However, there are also considerable opportunities for advancement. In the nursing informatics field, your work ensures that healthcare organizations can effectively harness the power of technology to meet the evolving needs of patients and healthcare professionals.
Whether you're actively seeking a new role or assessing your next steps, explore Nurse.com's talent marketplace to help match your experience and skills to the best-fitting role.
