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Iowa Healthcare Informatics School - IA
By Jennifer Williams, allied health world contributing writer
Published: March 7th, 2010
Accreditation Organizations
There are two accrediting groups that provide overview of Iowa nursing informatics programs: the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Before you are eligible to take either the ANCC or the HIMSS certification tests, you must have education from school that is accredited by one of these groups. Both the CCNE and the NLNAC are highly respected and recognized in the field of nursing and healthcare information.
Degree Options
To become a nursing informaticist, you must have licensure and certification as a Registered Nurse (RN). While you may not be interacting with patients on a daily basis, you will most definitely need this type of background to effective on the clinical side of your profession. In order to become a registered nurse, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in science or nursing.
Your two degree options for this profession are the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Opting to pursue a master’s degree is not necessary initially; however, you may find that you will eventually have an interest in furthering your career in nursing informatics. If so, you will most definitely need a master’s degree to do that. There are a variety of Iowa nursing informatics programs and online options.
After completing either degree option, you should then take a certification course in nursing informatics. This type of class typically lasts about 1 year, and while it is not necessary for employment, it is crucial to understanding your position and is highly recommended by employers.
Internships
Most certificate programs will include a nursing informatics internship. The reason for this is clear: There is no better place to apply your knowledge than on the job. You would, of course, be working under a certified nursing informaticist, and participating in an internship can often help you to secure employment opportunities.
Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Nurses in Health Informatics in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Iowa may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Saint Luke's Hospital, and Genesis Medical Center East.