Informatics is much more than enjoying working with a computer, it is the ability to contribute to and manage information systems, related to nursing, within an organization. The information systems department, in hospitals and other health care settings, needs nurses to work with their technical team to translate patient care needs into practical computer applications. The input by the nurse, or other unit representative, is crucial to making the programs efficient and user friendly to the employees using the computers for retrieval of information, charting, ordering and so on.
Many hospitals hire nurses into their information systems departments.
Nurses who have been on a specific unit for some time, and who have worked with the computers on their units and are comfortable with the programs and troubleshooting, are most likely to be considered for these positions. Job titles vary depending on the institution, but can include Clinical Systems Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Applications Analyst, or Applications Specialist. Job descriptions can include implementing policies and procedures for new programs, scenario testing, process changes, and the teaching of new applications. The field of Informatics gained momentum in the '70s with the growth of the computer industry and it's association with health care. Right now, there are many levels on which nurses can enter the field of informatics.