Nursing Informatics

Nursing Informatics Overview

The nurse’s role in patient care has evolved, and so has their role in the use of technology to improve health care delivery. Nursing informatics is the sub-discipline of health informatics that applies information technology to the skills and work of nurses in healthcare. It integrates the science of nursing, computer technology and information science to enhance the quality of the nursing practice, through improved communication, documentation and efficiency.

Assisting in all aspects of a patient’s nursing care from admission to discharge, technology is drastically altering the ways nurses diagnose, treat, administer care for, and manage their patients. The integration of information technology into nursing enables the appropriate flow of data collected by nurses, improving access to patient information at the point of care, and enhancing nursing abilities to benchmark, monitor, and audit quality measures. With nursing informatics, the passion for nursing, technology, and innovation leads to improved patient outcomes and higher quality patient – nurse interactions.

Graduates of a nursing informatics program should be able to manage and process nursing data, information, and knowledge to support the practice of nursing and the delivery of nursing care. This specialist assists health care providers by supplying information to enhance decision-making and the delivery of safe patient care. The work is integrally related to clinical and administrative practice.

Nursing Informatics Career Options and Salary Potential

Informatics nurses can look forward to a variety of career options in numerous settings. Nurses can have informatics careers as managers/executives, administrators, educators, and consultants. Nursing informatics career opportunities are available in hospitals and other healthcare providers, public health organizations, research labs, medical software companies, insurance agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and educational institutions.

Nursing informatics provides excellent salary potential. Below are average salary figures for the most common career titles. However, income for senior managers can go well into the six figures. A Senior Nursing Informatics Specialist job opening in a major city is currently offering $105,000 to $145,000 / year and a Director of Nursing Informatics job is currently offering $90,000 to $140,000 / year.

Nursing Informatics Career Outlook

Nursing Informatics Specialist Career & Education

Nursing Informatics Specialists participate in the analysis, design, and implementation of information and communication systems, effectiveness and informatics research, and the education of nursing informatics and information technology. Nursing Informatics is a combination of computer science, information science, and nursing science. The focus of nursing informatics practice is the organization, analysis, and dissemination of information, rather than the computer itself.

While the opportunities are plentiful, nursing informatics is not an entry-level career. RNs who find work in this specialty typically have several years of experience and professional education in both information systems and nursing. A Master's degree or certificate in Nursing Informatics, Health Informatics or related fields will improve salary and job potential. A Master's degree in Informatics is generally required for advanced nursing informatics positions. Informatics Nurses must have strong verbal and communication skills, analytical skills, as well as clinical knowledge and technical proficiency. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers the Informatics Nurse Board Certification Exam for the RN-BC credential. This credential improves a nurse's employment and salary potential.

Nursing Informatics Certification

Currently active and licensed RNs who qualify can sit for the Informatics Nursing Certification Exam, which is awarded by ANCC. In the 2007 HIMSS/McKesson Nursing Informatics survey, more respondents (23%) had this certification than any other type.

Important Note on Eligibility for ANCC's Nursing Informatics Certification:
Candidates for the ANCC Nursing Informatics certification have an option to use graduate level coursework toward eligibility requirements. The graduate work must be in nursing informatics. The Nursing Informatics certification is not an advanced practice certification, so CCNE accredited and non-accredited nursing informatics graduate programs are accepted toward the education requirement.
>> Learn more about how to qualify for certification

American Sentinel is a proud supporter of our military personnel, which comprise of one-quarter of enrollment. American Sentinel offers high quality accredited education and outstanding student support for less than most other online universities.

Nursing Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing

CCNE Accredited
Qualify for ANCC's Informatics Nursing Certification
Fulfill Education Criteria
Among Lowest Tuitions Online*

• Manage health information systems critical to the mission of health care delivery systems
• Develop expertise in clinical and administrative systems, data management and data mining for improvement of patient care and information systems project management.
• Understand the infrastructure that must be in place to improve practice while safeguarding the security and privacy of data
• Assume critical roles in managing health information systems in ambulatory, acute, and long term care settings, as well as in the public health environment

This program is well suited for nurses who have prior informatics experience or want to pursue leadership or educational roles. This program will fulfill education requirements toward eligibility for ANCC's Informatics Nurse Certification.

*The MSN Nursing Informatics specialty degree program requires 36 credit hours. Students may be eligible to transfer up to 18 hours from previous graduate study. American Sentinel provides a quality CCNE accredited MSN program which boasts one of the lowest tuition rates online at $18,525 (dependent on transfer credits).

Nursing Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN Bridge)

CCNE Accredited
Accelerated for RNs Holding ADN
Qualify for ANCC's Informatics Nursing Certification
Fulfill Education Criteria
Among Lowest Tuitions Online*

The CCNE accredited Registered Nurse to Master of Science Nursing program is ideal for RNs with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and at least two years of experience or RNs who hold a bachelor's degree in another field. This accelerated nursing degree program enables nurses to earn their MSN degree without first earning their Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN). To complete the MSN degree, distance education nursing students complete 18 baccalaureate-level nursing credit hours (and must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0). Then, they apply to the RN to MSN online program and complete 36 graduate credit hours.

The learning outcomes and goals are the same as in the traditional Nursing Informatics MSN program. This program is well suited for nurses who have prior informatics experience or want to pursue leadership or educational roles. This program will fulfill education requirements toward eligibility for ANCC's Informatics Nurse Certification.

* American Sentinel provides a quality CCNE accredited RN to MSN program which boasts one of the lowest tuition rates online at $9,420 to $23,400 (dependent on transfer credits).

*Based on data provided by American Sentinel University

Nurse Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing

Kaplan University's Master of Science in Nursing allows you to study online and earn the credentials to pursue career advancement in administrative, faculty, or staff development roles.

• Prepare to meet the clinical, educational, research, and administrative challenges associated with working in a technology-rich environment
• Focus on the representation of health care data and information and examine computer, information literacy, and management competencies
• Explore the use of technology and information systems to advance evidence-based research

Graduates may pursue informatics leadership roles in health care, corporate, and education settings. The informatics specialization is designed to help you prepare for the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Informatics Nursing certification exam. By including 200 hours of faculty supervised practicum, this program is an excellent option for nurses without informatics work experience. Graduates of this MSN program will fulfill ANCC's practice hour requirement for eligibility for the Informatics Nursing Certification.

*The entire CCNE accredited MSN program consists of 63 credits, bringing total tuition cost to $23,184. Students can transfer qualifying credits from another accredited institution to reduce time and cost. Kaplan University is a proud supporter of veterans. active military and their families. Kaplan offers significant tuition savings for undergraduate programs and is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon program for all graduate level programs.

Nurse Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN Bridge)

The RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option offers associate’s-, diploma-, or certificate-level nurses and nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field the opportunity to satisfy specific core requirements for Kaplan University’s Master of Science in Nursing program while completing their bachelor’s degree in nursing. Students then have the opportunity to enter Kaplan University’s Master of Science in Nursing program in a condensed format. Students completing this accelerated program will earn their Kaplan University Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees at a faster pace and lower cost than completing each degree separately.

The RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option can significantly shorten the time it takes to earn a Kaplan University Master of Science in Nursing degree. Students choosing the RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option can earn a master’s degree by completing as few as 9 additional graduate-level courses once they complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

*Based on data provided by Kaplan University

Drexel University has again made the "up-and-coming" short list of national universities that have achieved "the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus, or facilities," according to top college officials polled by U.S.News & World Report for the 2010 edition of "America's Best Colleges."

Drexel University is a charter member of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) American Forum.

Healthcare Informatics
Graduate Certificate

This comprehensive certificate program is designed for information professionals, clinical personnel and healthcare support personnel who want to gain knowledge and skills useful in taking on additional healthcare IT-related responsibilities or embarking upon new careers as managers or developers of healthcare IT systems.

Health Informatics
Master of Science

Offered on a full-time or part-time basis, this program is ideal for health care professionals interested in improving their organization's use of informatics and for information technology specialists seeking careers with biomedical or health organizations.

• Articulate the ways in which data, information and knowledge are generated and used to solve healthcare problems across diverse settings, from individual patients to universal public health issues
• Develop and apply contemporary information science theories and methods toward the generation, management and sharing of biomedical data
• Implement, adapt, and validate existing informatics concepts and approaches as they relate to specific biomedical and healthcare problems
• Employ concepts and techniques from the social, behavioral, communications and organizational sciences to develop information systems that solve substantial issues in biomedical and healthcare administration
• Utilize principles from ethics, law and socio-economic policy that improve patient care
• Work collaboratively across disciplines to define, discuss, and resolve key issues in healthcare informatics

Chamberlain College of Nursing is proud of over 120 years of excellence in nursing education.

Distinguished faculty includes professionals who hold doctoral degrees. These instructors include published author of informatics articles, a senior informatics policy maker who led efforts to recognize nursing informatics as a distinct specialty, and co-founder of the Online Journal of Nursing Informatics (OJNI).

Nurse Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing

CCNE Accredited
Qualify for ANCC's Informatics Nursing Certification
Includes 200 Hrs Supervised Practicum in Informatics

The CCNE accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a post-baccalaureate professional degree designed to prepare nurses for expanding roles in healthcare and enhance opportunities for professional advancement. The MSN curriculum provides core courses in nursing theory, research, leadership, professional role development, and informatics in healthcare. Lead the new high-tech wave in patient care as an informatics nurse specialist. The MSN Informatics Specialty Track focuses on management of data and information, and healthcare information workflow and project management.

The informatics specialization is designed to help you prepare for the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Informatics Nursing certification exam. By including 200 hours of faculty supervised practicum, this program is an excellent option for nurses without informatics work experience. Graduates of this MSN program will fulfill ANCC's practice hour requirement for the Informatics Nursing Certification.

Nurse Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN to MSN)

CCNE Accredited
ANCC's Informatics Nursing Certification
Includes 200 Hrs Supervised Practicum in Informatics

In the RN-BSN to MSN Online Option, eligible RN students completing their BSN degree at Chamberlain may apply for admission to the MSN degree program prior to completing their BSN degree. Students are able to complete their BSN degree while enrolled in the MSN program, by taking selected MSN courses in place of two required BSN nursing courses. The MSN courses offer a more focused, higher level of content than the corresponding BSN courses. Students are able to meet program outcomes for the BSN degree through completion of the BSN curriculum, with 6 alternate credit hours of select MSN coursework. 

This program is designed to provide the same outcomes as the Nurse Informatics MSN program. The informatics specialization is designed to help you prepare for the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Informatics Nursing certification exam. By including 200 hours of faculty supervised practicum, this program is an excellent option for nurses without informatics work experience. Graduates of this MSN program will fulfill ANCC's practice hour requirement for the Informatics Nursing Certification.

One of the nation's largest nursing schools, University of Phoenix has educated nearly 40,000 graduates from its College of Nursing. University of Phoenix is proud to be CCNE accredited for its BSN and MSN programs.

Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing

CCNE Accredited
Qualify for ANCC's Informatics Nursing Certification
Fulfill Education Criteria

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), enhances the knowledge and skills of registered nurses with baccalaureate-degree preparation. The program prepares advanced practice nurses to function in leadership roles in practice and educational settings. Advanced nursing theory and research provide the foundation for nurses to influence the future of nursing and health care. Students complete core courses in advanced nursing content and process, as well as on leadership skills. Specializations assist students to concentrate on developing increased knowledge and/or skills in a specific area of content or advanced practice role.

This program is well suited for nurses who have prior informatics experience or want to pursue leadership or educational roles. This program will fulfill education requirements toward eligibility for ANCC's Informatics Nurse Certification.

For program disclosure information, click here

Health Care Informatics
Graduate Certificate

Designed for Nurses and Health Care Professionals
Just 10 Credits to Completion

This certificate program is designed for health care and nurse professionals interested in pursuing or advancing in careers associated with health care informatics and technology. Individuals with little or no background in Informatics receive an overview of informatics as it relates to delivery within a health care facility. The program is designed to provide the learner with current knowledge in concepts of health care informatics, systems life cycle, and data management. The 10 credit-bearing specialization is available as a certificate program for postbaccalaureate students. The four courses in the informatics specialization certificate program are available at campuses offering nursing or health care degree programs using a variety of delivery methods.

• Informatics - MHA

In May 2010, U.S. News & World Report again identified Walden as having the No. 2 largest online, graduate nursing program by enrollment.

Walden’s School of Nursing features a distinguished faculty of more than 100 scholars and
professionals—100% of whom hold doctoral degrees—who are academically and experientially
qualified to teach at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Nursing Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing (BSN to MSN Track)

CCNE Accredited
Qualify for ANCC's Informatics Nursing Certification
Includes Supervised Practicum in Informatics

For Registered Nurses entering the program with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
The CCNE accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program blends nursing science with computer and information science to enhance the quality of patient care.

Highlights of the Nursing Informatics BSN to MSN program include:

• A multidisciplinary approach to informatics by blending nursing science, computer science, and information science
• Coursework focuses on such key areas as information systems, database concepts, and effective project management
• Fieldwork experience provides learners with the opportunity to apply their new knowledge immediately

The informatics specialization is designed to help you prepare for the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Informatics Nursing certification exam. By including 250 hours of faculty supervised practicum, this program is an excellent option for nurses without informatics work experience. Graduates of this MSN program will fulfill ANCC's practice hour requirement for eligibility for the Informatics Nursing Certification.

Nursing Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN Track)

CCNE Accredited
Qualify for ANCC's Informatics Nursing Certification
Includes Supervised Practicum in Informatics

For Registered Nurses with a hospital diploma, Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.), or bachelor’s degree (other than BSN).
The CCNE accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program blends nursing science with computer and information science to enhance the quality of patient care.

Highlights of the Nursing Informatics RN to MSN program include:

• A multidisciplinary approach to informatics by blending nursing science, computer science, and information science
• Coursework focuses on such key areas as information systems, database concepts, and effective project management
• Fieldwork experience provides learners with the opportunity to apply their new knowledge immediately
  

The informatics specialization is designed to help you prepare for the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Informatics Nursing certification exam. By including 250 hours of faculty supervised practicum, this program is an excellent option for nurses without informatics work experience. Graduates of this MSN program will fulfill ANCC's practice hour requirement for eligibility for the Informatics Nursing Certification.

Nursing Informatics
Post-Master's Certificate

CCNE Accredited
Qualify for ANCC's Informatics Nursing Certification
Ideal for Nurses with Previous Informatics Experience

This CCNE accredited program can prepare learners to effectively use information technology to enhance decision-making in various health care settings. Nursing professionals will gain the knowledge to integrate data, information, and knowledge to support decision-making processes that positively affect patients and practitioners. This program is ideal for nurses who already have informatics work experience and want formal education and graduate coursework towards certification eligibility.

• Health Informatics - MS
• Information Systems Management / Healthcare Informatics - MISM

Nursing: Health Care Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing

CCNE Accredited
Qualify for ANCC's Informatics Nursing Certification
Fulfill Education Criteria
Among Lowest Online Tuitions*

• Automate clinical care, building new operational data systems, train health care workers in the use of computer systems, collect and analyze data to improve patient care, etc.
• Serve as project managers, project designers, researchers, systems analysts, or administrators and executives at all levels of the organization
• Work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, primary care facilities, doctor's offices, insurance companies, pharmacies, technology suppliers, consulting firms, and more

This program is well suited for nurses who have prior informatics experience or want to pursue leadership or educational roles. This program will fulfill education requirements toward eligibility for ANCC's Informatics Nurse Certification.

Potential employers for graduates of this program include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, clinical data exchange insurance sites, the government's Military Health System (hospitals), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, state health care organizations, and informational technology vendors.

*The MSN with Health Care Informatics specialization can be completed for total cost of $19,230. GCU is a proud supporter of the military by offering discounted tuition and scholarships.

Nursing: Health Care Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN Bridge)

CCNE Accredited
Qualify for ANCC's Informatics Nursing Certification
Fulfill Education Criteria

This CCNE accredited Health Care Informatics MSN bridge program is designed for registered nurses with a bachelor's degree in health sciences or other related fields. This program is designed to provide the same outcomes as the Health Care Informatics MSN program.

This program is well suited for nurses who have prior informatics experience or want to pursue leadership or educational roles. This program will fulfill education requirements toward eligibility for ANCC's Informatics Nurse Certification.

• Health Care Informatics - MS

*Based on data provided by Grand Canyon University

The University of Illinois at Chicago is ranked in the top 4% of 4,000 colleges and universities in the US by U.S. News & World Report. The University of Illinois at Chicago offers the first online graduate programs in the nation to receive CAHIIM accreditation.

Health Informatics
Master of Science

CAHIIM Accredited
Qualify for RHIA Certification

The CAHIIM accredited Master of Science in Health Informatics emphasizes the analysis, implementation and ongoing management of the critical factors that impact the successful
selection and use of health care information technologies. This online degree program equips students with an academic foundation in health information sciences and the practical tools necessary to apply this knowledge.

• Gain insight into the resources and methods required to optimize the use of information technology in the areas of nursing, clinical care, pharmacy, public health and medical research.
• Examine the use and application of health care data and learn how it's collected into Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Examine health care information systems to discover how current information technology systems are used and implemented in health care organizations.
• Gain perspective on the dynamic role health information technology will play in the future of medical practice, nursing, and the healthcare industry as a whole.

Health Informatics
Bachelor of Science

The CAHIIM accredited Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics provides a solid foundation in computer information systems and technologies for healthcare organizations including healthcare regulation, project management of health systems, databases, and security.

As part of the program, students can earn the two industry relevant certifications: CompTIA A+, CIW Database Design Specialist. The program proudly holds CAHIIM accreditation, which allows its graduates to become eligible for the AHIMA RHIA credentialing exam.

Tuition at WGU is charged at a flat rate every six months and covers all coursework attempted in that time. A full-time load for this degree program is at least 12 competency units (credit equivalents) per 6-month term. Whether you complete more or fewer units, you are charged the same flat rate. You have a significant advantage if you have extensive experience in the field and the time to take on a substantial course load. If you can shorten the time it takes for you to complete your degree, you pay less. So, if you earn this BS Degree in 4 years, your tuition is only $23,120.

*Based on data provided by Western Governors University

Devoted to academic excellence since 1948, Brandeis has been ranked among the top 35 national universities by U.S. News & World Report every year since its inception. It is 34th in the 2011 rankings.

Health and Medical Informatics
Master of Science

Graduates with a Master of Science in Health and Medical Informatics are prepared to:

• Facilitate the development and advancement of emerging information technologies to improve health care delivery and cost efficiencies.
• Gain an in-depth understanding of new and existing health information management systems within the context of the U.S. health care system.
• Become proficient in the "language" of health care, navigate the rules around using medical data, and obtain relevant information to assess changes to the health care system.
• Participate in the development, implementation, evaluation and management of information technology solutions to improve patient care and the health care delivery process.
• Utilize health information technology for decision support, knowledge management, strategic planning, and outcomes assessment to optimize cost efficiencies in the health care system.
• Effectively interface between the data systems developers and the user community.

Health Informatics
Bachelor of Science in IT

The ABET accredited BSIT with health informatics specialization is designed to prepare you to use technology to improve health care quality and lower health care costs. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing information technology specialist positions in hospitals, clinics, and health care systems.

Health Information Management
Master of Science in IT

The curriculum follows the model curriculum of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and was developed to align with the criteria of the Commission on Accreditation for Health Information and Information Management (CAHIIM).The Health Information Management MSIT program is designed to help you use information management and security to support efficient, accurate health care delivery and management.

CIS / Health Information Systems
Bachelor of Science

This degree in Computer Information Systems with a track in Health Information Systems prepares graduates to develop specialized healthcare applications that both improve patient care and make healthcare more efficient. By mastering current technologies and best practices, including picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability ACT (HIPAA) and Health Level Seven (HL7), graduates will be prepared to integrate equipment output with HER and other applications, as well as to develop and support electronic health records applications in hospitals and medical offices nationwide.

• Health Information Technology - AAS
• Health Services Management - BBA
• Technical Management / Health Information Management - BS

DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University operates as DeVry Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. AC0060. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus - 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211 Program availability varies by location.

The "America's Best Colleges" 2011 edition of U.S. News & World Report has ranked Saint Joseph's University among the top 15 master's universities in the north for the 13th consecutive year.

Informatics
Master's in Health Administration

The purpose of the MHA with a specialization in Informatics program is to train healthcare professionals in the tactical and strategic utilization of information technology in healthcare organizations so they may prepare to assume senior level leadership positions in the strategic planning, management, design, integration, implementation, and evaluation of clinical, financial and administrative information systems in various healthcare enterprises.

• Gain expertise in information resources management, clinical care and programming, enabling them to become the communications conduit linking diverse health care professionals
• Learn critical skills in areas such as computer-based patient record (CPR), which provides an in-depth analysis of the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) standards, requirements, attributes, and benefits of the CPR and its use in the healthcare delivery enterprise
• Explore the relevance of the use of data warehouses, data repositories, and integration technology to CPR development along with the various issues and strategies for implementation
• Focus on health information management systems data and infrastructure, providing the case study of IT networks, internets, data interchange, data access, and data management
• Use the case study approach to health information management systems applications, which examines the foundation and incorporation of the critical IT applications in the modern healthcare delivery enterprise
• Explore applications with an emphasis placed on practice of Managed Care

Certificate of Health Informatics
for Software Engineers and IT Professionals

The University of Minnesota, Crookston's Health Informatics for Software Engineers and IT Professionals certificate prepares students with an existing background in Information Technology, programming, and software engineering to apply their expertise to the domain of health informatics in order to build advanced Information Systems for health care and public health organizations. The program requires 22 credits for completion. Applicants must be enrolled in or completed BS degree or higher in a computer science, software engineering, or information technology profession.

Certificate of Health Informatics
Privacy and Security for Health Care Providers

The University of Minnesota, Crookston's certificate in Health Informatics Privacy and Security for Health Care Providers program, will prepare students to support the secure collection, management, retrieval, exchange, and/or analysis of information in electronic form in health care and public health organizations. The program requires 18 credit for completion. Applicants for this program must be enrolled in or completed a bachelor degree, or completed an associate degree in health, allied health, clinical lab science, or public health.

Management Information Systems / Healthcare
Master of Science

The Master of Science in Management Information Systems is a customized degree tailored specifically to prepare you for management positions in the Information Technology profession. It consists of multiple components: the core and concentrations. The core explores the characteristics of information systems with emphasis on critical management issues. The Healthcare concentration provides the non-healthcare professional graduate student with general healthcare knowledge. The intent of this concentration is to assist personnel, in areas other than patient care, to understand and be familiar with certain healthcare terminology and requirements.