Nursing Informatics | An Inside Look

Summary

In this enlightening video, Lex Wilkinson, an informatics nurse specialist, shares insights into her unique role, which blends nursing with technology to improve patient care. Wilkinson discusses her educational journey, the dynamic nature of her job, and the skills required for success in the field. She also offers advice for aspiring informatics nurses and touches on the career's potential for growth and impact, providing a valuable perspective for those considering this innovative nursing specialty.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lex Wilkinson is an informatics nurse specialist with a doctorate of Nursing Practice degree.
• 🎓 Lex initially worked as a floor nurse before pursuing a graduate degree in nursing informatics.
• 🏥 Lex's informatics career began during grad school, allowing her to apply academic learnings to her job and vice versa.
• 💡 Lex was introduced to nursing informatics by a clinical professor who thought it would be a good fit for her.
• 🌟 Informatics nurses can impact patient care on a larger scale compared to direct patient care roles.
• 📈 Lex enjoys problem-solving in informatics, which involves untangling complex healthcare processes.
• 📧 The informatics nurse role involves a variety of tasks including meetings, emails, and data analysis.
• 🚧 Currently, Lex is involved in the implementation of a new electronic health record, which is a temporary but significant part of her job.
• 💼 A typical career path to nursing informatics often starts with practical nursing experience followed by further education.
• 💼 Lex recommends at least two years of nursing practice before pursuing informatics to gain a solid understanding of the field.
• 📈 Informatics nurses can expect a wide salary range based on experience and education, with potential to reach over $100,000 annually for specialists.

Q & A

What is Lex Wilkinson's profession and educational background?

Lex Wilkinson is an informatics nurse specialist with a doctorate of Nursing Practice degree. She obtained her undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University and then worked as a floor nurse on a neurosurgery unit before pursuing her graduate degree in nursing informatics.

How did Lex Wilkinson become interested in nursing informatics?

Lex's interest in nursing informatics was sparked by a clinical professor during her undergraduate studies. She further explored the field through a class presentation and an interview with the nursing informatics manager at her workplace, which led her to pursue a graduate degree in the field.

What is the impact of being an informatics nurse according to Lex Wilkinson?

As an informatics nurse, Lex Wilkinson believes that instead of helping a few patients each shift, she can impact every patient in the hospital by improving nursing workflows and hospital operations, thus contributing to better healthcare on a larger scale.

What does a typical day for Lex Wilkinson involve?

A typical day for Lex Wilkinson can vary widely depending on the project she is working on. It may include meetings, answering emails, looking at spreadsheets, and providing support during system implementations. Currently, she is involved in the implementation of a new electronic health record, which involves command center support and issue resolution.

What are the most and least enjoyable aspects of Lex's job?

The most enjoyable aspect for Lex is solving complex healthcare problems and improving workflows, while the least enjoyable is dealing with technical or governance roadblocks that prevent her from achieving the desired outcomes.

What is the typical career pathway into nursing informatics according to Lex Wilkinson?

A typical pathway into nursing informatics often involves starting as a nurse, gaining clinical experience, and then pursuing further education in nursing informatics. Lex recommends at least two years of nursing practice before returning to school for informatics.

What skills are important for someone in nursing informatics?

Skills important for nursing informatics include a strong foundation in nursing, proficiency with data analysis tools like Excel, and good communication skills for creating presentations and facilitating meetings. Lex also emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and the ability to analyze and improve workflows.

Are there any certifications recommended for nursing informatics?

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers a board certification for informatics nurses, and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) offers a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) certification.

What is the salary range for an informatics nurse specialist?

The salary for an informatics nurse specialist can vary widely depending on factors like education level, years of experience, and location. It can range from $80,000 to over $130,000 per year, with higher positions like Chief Nursing Information Officer (CNIO) potentially earning more.

What advice does Lex Wilkinson have for those interested in nursing informatics?

Lex advises having a mindset of analyzing how well things are working and how they can be improved. She emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and the ability to view problems from both detailed and broad perspectives as key skills for success in informatics.