I need advice PLEASE!

[schnoobie]

I am not currently involved in informatics. I have been an RN for 20 yrs primarily in critical care and perioperative services. I am a bit of a "computer geek" and thought that informatics might be a good fit for me in the near future since the physical requirements of clinical nursing are becoming somewhat difficult for me.
I have my BSN and have information on an MSN in informatics program that seems do-able.
I have yet to see a "job posting" requiring Nursing Informatics within my own health system (one of the tristate's largest employers) which makes me wonder about actually working in the area &I would like to stay with them.

I guess what I am wondering is this;
*How marketable is this field? (in NYC and Long Island) -other than nursing the job market seems impossible!
*What is the average starting salary? (again NYC & LI) can I expect my clinical experience to count towards $$? I average 100k at present on LI so would need at least that.
*And, is the nursing portion of the MSN really needed? Will my value as a nurse still be appreciated?

Thanks for any help you can give me. emails greatly appreciated!
I originally posted this in response to a thread so I apologise for the duplicate entry....

[precise97]

I know that in NYC and LI you can be offered at least 95k and up. I used to live there and that's was offered 2 yrs ago. You also are paid more for working with a computer company than a hospital.