Nursing Informatics: Everything You Need to Know About Managing Healthcare Data
The following is an excerpt of the NurseTogether.com Community members’ online chat session (July 20, 2010) with Dr. Catherine Garner, dean of health sciences and nursing at American Sentinel University and Ellen Harper, a student of American Sentinel’s doctor of nursing practice program, an expert in nursing informatics, and the CNO of Cerner Corporation.
NT.com: What exactly is nursing informatics?
Dr. Garner: The ANA defines nursing informatics as a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice.
Nursing informatics facilitates the integration of data, information, knowledge and wisdom to support patients, nurses, and other providers in their decision-making in all roles and settings. This support is accomplished through the use of information structures, information processes, and information technology.
There has been significant movement and our government is making billion-dollar investments in establishing electronic health networks. In the US, the movement began in 2004, when the US Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson and David Brailer, MD, PhD named as the country first Health Information Technology Coordinator, unveiled a strategic plan with goals for adoption and diffusion of the EHR.
In 2006, the White House stated that applying modern information technology (IT) was one of the five key policies to make health care more affordable and available to all American families. President Bush asked that health care providers take advantage of the most advanced technology for diagnosis and treatment.
The HITECH Act, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Stimulus Bill passed in 2009, established twenty-five major Meaningful Use (MU) requirements that all electronic medical records systems must implement in order to qualify for billions in government incentive money. The MU final rule just released on July 14, 2010 outlines the criteria that all healthcare systems will want to implement in order to receive the funding.
NT.com: Ellen, tell us about your history in informatics nursing.
E. Harper: I have been working in nursing informatics for 17 years. I currently work at Cerner Corporation as the CNO for our process optimization division. We are using data driven evidenced based practice using the technology of the electronic health record.
NT.com: What do you think the future is for nurses in the area of informatics?
E. Harper: There has been significant movement and our government is making billion-dollar investments in establishing electronic health networks. Nursing and informatics are an important piece.
Approximately 70,000 health informatics specialists are needed, according to Don Detmer, the CEO of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), the main professional body relating to health informatics in the U.S.
NT.com: I am currently an RN pursuing my master’s in Healthcare Informatics. What job opportunities should I be looking into to further my career?
Dr. Garner: Informatics nurses can look forward to a variety of career options in numerous settings. Nurses can have informatics careers as managers/executives, administrators, educators, and nursing informatics career opportunities are available in hospitals, public health organizations, research labs, medical software companies, insurance agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and educational institutions.
NT.com: Would you say that learning informatics is better or easier online or in a class?
Dr. Garner: If you have a background or a base of IT, it would be easier online. If you need the basics however, I would go to face to face first then jump online.
E. Harper: The beauty of online is that you are immersed in the technology, but you need to be pretty disciplined to succeed in the online environment.
NT.com: What are the benefits of certification programs or masters preparation?
Dr. Garner: A master’s degree in Informatics is generally required for advanced nursing informatics positions. Informatics Nurses must have strong verbal and communication skills, analytical skills, as well as clinical knowledge and technical proficiency. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers the Informatics Nurse Board Certification Exam for the RN-BC credential. This credential improves a nurse’s employment and salary potential.
E. Harper: It is clear to me that no aspect of nursing and patient care can remain untouched by the information revolution in process. Yet, most nurses remain dubious about the changes or feel unprepared. Many struggle with whether IT is just another thing to learn or something much more profound. It will take nurses well versed in the power of the technology to help our frontline nurses to view computers and new ways of doing things not as troublesome but as adding value to their already heavy workloads.
NT.com: Are there any scholarships or grants available?
Dr. Garner: We have tuition packages available, but your best bet is to seek support from your employer. he federal government is giving out millions to hospitals to implement these electronic systems and there is money to support professional development.
NT.com member comment: The government has noted the severe lack of nursing informatics specialists and is helping to correct that with tuition assistance.
NT.com: What online program do you feel is best one out there?
Dr. Garner: Why, American Sentinel, of course! We have worked with leading vendors such as Cerner to develop the most contemporary offerings and have valuable faculty members such as Ellen Harper, with over 20 years of experience at Cerner developing new systems. Also, American Sentinel University has a tuition discount for NurseTogether members.
NT.com: I am in a rural area. Will there be many opportunities for me, and what are some of the applications for which nursing informatics can be used? Is it just hospitals and doctor’s offices that will be utilizing informatics?
E. Harper: Actually, there are separate federal dollars to support the rural hospitals and health centers. Everyone will be using electronic medical records, as well as the data that is derived from them to improve patient care. Community health centers also have separate federal support for this wiring of health care.
NT.com: Without a background in IT (an associate’s degree in nursing), would the online course you have be an option or would I be way out of my element trying to do it online?
Dr. Garner: We provide a two week orientation for all students to get them into the system and show them the support available. American Sentinel has a “fast track” program where you take 7 courses from the BSN and, if you make B’s in all courses, you can transfer immediately into the MSN program. You do not earn the bachelor�s degree, but if you are intent on completing the MSN, this program allows you to move ahead and graduate faster. Online platform is very user friendly and our nursing students do really well.
NT.com: I hear a lot of people talking about getting into nursing informatics. Will this field be flooded with the influx soon or are we still far away from that?
Dr. Garner: There are so many opportunities that informatics won’t be flooded anytime soon. For example, at Cerner, where Ellen works, over 400 nurses have vastly different jobs depending on the area where they work. Some work in the research and development areas as solution matter experts to design the look and feel of the computer system. Others play a lead role in installing the computer systems and helping the client understand the evidence based workflows. We look for nurses with strong nursing skills, good communication skills and an appetite for travel, as they may be traveling a very large percentage of the time.
E. Harper: While the opportunities are plentiful, nursing informatics is not an entry-level career. RNs who find work in this specialty typically have several years of experience and professional education in both information systems and nursing. A master’s degree or certificate in Nursing Informatics, Health Informatics or related fields will improve salary and job potential.
The US Department of Labor estimates a 49% job growth in health information and health informatics. Healthcare Informatics was named one of the top careers in U.S. News and World Report.
NT.com: What if your computer skills are limited and you want to go into informatics? What basic IT skills are needed – Microsoft Excel, Office, Word, Power Point?
Dr. Garner: Building computer skills just takes time and commitment. There are many shorter training programs out there for basic Microsoft skills. Knowing all of the basic Microsoft tools (Microsoft Excel, Office, Word, Power Point) is useful, but you need to educate yourself on the computer system and how it works.
NT.com: Does this program come with help from our instructors if we just don’t get it?
Dr. Garner: Of course! All of our instructors are there for your success. You also have a personal academic advisor to support you through the process.
NT.com: Will it matter if the school is regional or national? I wanted to work for the state of Alabama. They only want regional…which I do not understand.
Dr. Garner: The US Department of Education recognizes both regionally and nationally accredited institutions.
NT.com: Will the courses in informatics for the master’s programs need pre-requisite IT classes at a BS level that would be necessary prior to enrolling?
Dr. Garner: We integrate that training into the MSN courses. The American Sentinel Master’s in Nursing Informatics is a two year online program for 36 credit hours. It covers systems, software, business intelligence, project management, and the development of the overall health system using information gleaned from systems.
NT.com: Does American Sentinel have a certificate program?
Dr. Garner: We do not offer a certificate at this time. Certification as a nurse informatics specialist by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) requires specific coursework, specific experience and/or continuing education. Requirements can vary by state, so make sure you research the specific requirements for the nursing informatics specialist path of your interest and in the state where you want to practice.
NT.com: Why go for a Master’s in Informatics if you can work with a certification?
Dr. Garner: The ANA certification is designed to recognize experts in their field who have a combination of practice years in informatics and formal education in the area. It is not an “entry” credential, in that one who has never worked in informatics would not even qualify to sit for the exam.
For those looking to have a career in nursing informatics and are relatively new to the field, the MSN – Informatics is a credential which will open doors and raise the salary. Then, after 3-5 years in the field, they are eligible to sit for the exam.
NT.com: I have been a nurse for 25 years but that entire time has been in neonatal care. Will I be at a disadvantage since my total scope in nursing in all areas is limited?
Dr. Garner: Your clinical knowledge is critical to understanding the types of technology and information needed. You have a great background.
NT.com: What about long term care area?
Dr. Garner: With the aging population, there are lots of opportunities, including electronic home care monitoring, which is becoming huge!
NT.com: What is the advantage to nursing informatics versus health care informatics?
Dr. Garner: In evaluating programs, health care informatics may be the same as nursing informatics in some content. In our MSN, we also focus on how your nursing background makes you a clinical expert that is even more valuable as we measure the impact of technology on patient care.
NT.com: What companies beside Cerner are major players in this field?
E. Harper: The major vendors besides Cerner (which is the best) are GE, Meditech, Eclipse, and Epic. Remember, you can also get a job as a transformation consultant.
NT.com: What is a transformation consultant?
Dr. Garner: A transformation consultant is one who works with the nurses, physicians, etc. to help them understand the rationale for the change in practice and how to use the computer.
NT.com member comment: A transformation consultant keeps the doctors and nurses from giving up on the program and allowing them time and the knowledge to slide safely into the CHANGE (the forbidden word).
NT.com: I am currently a Risk Manager, who does QM, credentialing, oversees the safety and OSHA officers and experience in ICU, CCU, PACU CICU. I also have many credits toward an MSN. How does informatics look for me?
Dr. Garner: Your background in quality is good. You will need some additional education. We would be happy to evaluate your transcripts and see what transfers and how many credits you would need for the MSN in Informatics.
NT.com: Are there accelerated programs?
Dr. Garner: Ours is considered accelerated, as you complete it in two years. If you double classes, it can be done in one year. We start classes every month so there is no waiting for the next semester to start.
NT.com: How many classes focus on informatics?
Dr. Garner: The MSN in informatics has 7 courses specific to informatics and 5 courses for the MSN.
NT.com: Can you share salary information with us?
E. Harper: Nursing informatics provides excellent salary potential. Here are the average salary figures for the most common career titles: Informatics nurse $80.000 annually, nurse analyst $69,000 annually and nurse informatics specialist $66,000 annually. Income for senior managers can go well into the six figures. A Senior Nursing Informatics Specialist job opening in a major city is currently offering $105,000 to $145,000 annually and a Director of Nursing Informatics job is currently offering $90,000 to $140,000 annually.
NT.com: What if you have a master’s in nursing education? Would any credits transfer?
Dr. Garner: Some would transfer; we will evaluate your transcript for free and let you know.
NT.com: When does the next class start?
Dr. Garner: Classes start once per month, so sign on for August or September!
NT.com: What are the best online programs for nursing informatics?
Dr. Garner: I do have a bias as dean of American Sentinel – our program is superb! The BSN and MSN faculty have all worked as nurses and many continue in active practice so that they can relate to the daily demands and pressures you face in the work environment. All have either their master’s degrees or doctoral degrees and many have additional specialty certifications. Our faculty have published and done research in nursing, so they are quite accomplished. You will find that they come from all over the US and many had worked internationally. They are all committed to teaching.
NT.com: What is the approximate cost for course completion?
Dr. Garner: The BSN course is $370/credit hour for 30 hours of courses required for the RN to BSN. The MSN is $450/credit hour for 36 credits and the DNP is $540/credit hour for 42 credits. Credits may change, depending upon transfer credits that a student brings in.
NT.com Member comment: So, classes are $450 a credit hour…I am looking at a program where they want $1,500 a credit hour.
NT.com Member respond: That’s way overpriced!
NurseTogether comment: As a NT.com member, you will also receive a discount of ASU courses. Check out the NurseTogether tuition discount.
NT.com member comment: Make sure to check reimbursement from your employer as well.
NT.com member respond: Plus, this is education for your profession which is 100% tax deductible.
NT.com member comment: $9,000 for a two year master’s program?
Dr. Garner: Yes, an MSN in Leadership, Education, Informatics, Case Management, or Infection Prevention and Control.
E. Harper: There is also federal money if you agree to teach full-time when you graduate.
NT.com member comment: I can’t believe it costs so little! I wish I had known about ASU two years ago before graduating and continuing my MSN with my current college.
Dr. Garner: Many thanks to Ellen Harper from Cerner for joining us today. Check out our MSN in Informatics. Dean, I am proud of this program, its flexibility, and our outstanding faculty.
