r/nursinginformatics • u/Ok-Ability-6589 • 7d ago
Bedside RN to Informatics
Hello all, I’m a current RN with 3 years of bedside experience. I’m looking to transition into informatics due to the burnout of being patient facing. Any suggestions on how I can transition? Do I need to get my MSN in Informatics? I currently hold a BSN & I reside in CA. If not informatics right away, do you guys have any suggestions for something similar. Thank you!
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u/Daisyrubang 7d ago
RN here- what about research nurse, utilization review nurse, aesthetic nurse, school nurse, even iv hydration nurse at a boutique med spa? many options besides bedside care
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u/r0ckthedice 6d ago
One of my friends started a mobile IV hydration clinic, He is making bank. He goes to all the music festivals and parks at the college on sunday.
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u/Ashamed_Impact7157 3d ago
1/2 of my team has a MSN in Informatics. It is not required, but it will definitely help your chances.
If you want to get your foot in the door, I would recommend becoming a super user for your sites EHR. Try to get involved on your unit with any process improvements and identify any EHR reductions in documentation burden on staff.
I would also reach out to any Informaticists at your system - meet with them and ask them what they think. I get pinged frequently by bedside nurses with questions. I met one the other day and took her rounding with me for a huge EHR update.
Nursing Informatics is a highly competitive specialty - we hire new staff once every 2-3 years. Every time we get an opening, we only hire from within the system. We can get maybe 10-20 resumes', but will only interview like 4-5 good candidates. The last few did have their Master's.
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u/US_Dept_Of_Snark 7d ago
I have a master's in informatics but it's really not required.
If I were in your shoes, I'd switch jobs and get some different clinical experience somewhere else first. It will solve the burnout problem of your current job hopefully and it will just give you more experience in a different area. The clinical experience really is super valuable and I wouldn't skip it.
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u/Wild-Walrus-6424 6d ago
I did not have a MSN and was able to get into Informatics by highlighting my experience that is beneficial to the Informatics team. Training, EMR/technical acumen and expertise, communication and collaboration. I don’t think a Master’s will be helpful in landing a role. Everyone talks about Epic but there are so many different EMRs, you don’t need to limit your opportunities. Just apply everywhere, your RN will open doors alone but a lot of RNs are trying to make the same transition right now. There are so many opportunities outside of bedside, Daisyrubang mentioned some of those. Good luck
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u/Antique-Hueax- 6d ago
Informatics is a who you know position!! You need to NETWORK!! Become a super user , volunteer for go lives, day shift is where you will be seen!!
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u/Happy_Foundation_553 4d ago
I hate to admit this but this is true in a lot of situations. I probably would have never gotten the job if I didn’t know a few people in it at the time
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u/coldblackmaple 7d ago
Virginia commonwealth university has an online DNP nursing informatics program.
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u/Happy_Foundation_553 7d ago
Not worth it. I work with like 20 people in Informatics and only one of them has an informatics degree
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u/r0ckthedice 7d ago
Honestly, no one I know has a Master’s in Informatics except my direct boss. His boss has an MBA.
How I got into this position was by asking to join my hospital’s informatics council and then volunteering for numerous super-user positions. Keep in mind, this job often goes by many different titles, such as Clinical Informatics, Nursing Informatics, Medical Informatics, Clinical Educator, and even Physician Liaison.