Idaho Nurse Informatics Certification - ID

By allied health world contributing writer
Published: October, 10 2011

For informatics nurses with a special affection for adventure or the outdoors, Idaho may be particularly appealing. Central Idaho boasts one of North America's oldest ski resorts, Sun Valley, where the world's first chairlift was installed. Snow sports are one of the mainstays of Idaho, with a ski resort adjacent to nearly every urban area. When the weather turns warmer, whitewater rafting and kayaking are among the state's major pastimes. Nursing informatics professionals can explore the waters of Snake River rushing through Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in the U.S., or Shoshone Falls plunging down rugged cliffs from a height greater than that of Niagara Falls.

Those interested in becoming a nurse informatics professional in Idaho should begin by gaining a clear understanding about nursing informatics and what courses they will need to qualify for a job in that field. These courses range from database management to instruction on how to incorporate and integrate medical monitoring systems and technology into the field of nursing. As nursing informatics evolves as a profession, those pursuing a career in the field will need to know and understand virtually every instrument and device that doctors and nurses use, in addition to having excellent computer skills.

Nursing informatics students should identify a college or university in Idaho offering courses in information technology or check into distance learning options. Students will discover several paths to a specialization in nursing informatics and many of those journeys include bachelors and graduate level training available either within a nursing school program or completely separate from such a program.

To obtain an Idaho nursing informatics certification, students must sit for the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC) exam. Applications are accepted throughout the year for the computer-based test. Tests are administered during a 90-day window at locations convenient for applicants. These certifications must be renewed every five years.

Applicants can also become a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information Management Systems (CPHIMS) or a Certified Professional in Health Information Technology (CPHIT) by meeting eligibility criteria and passing an examination.