Nursing Informatics Degree

To all the Tech Geeks out there – if you aspire for a rewarding health-tech career that is beyond patient care then you must explore opportunities to earn a degree in Nursing Informatics – a nursing tech career playing with the data and technology.

A degree in nursing informatics combines nursing techniques along with information and computer science and works towards managing and improving patient care. If this sounds exciting then this is for you.

In this article, we will guide you through the various aspects of this career like – nursing informatics degree requirements, course curricula, the degree programs, their roles, or duties, what you can do with this degree; and more.  

So, stay tuned –

Nursing Informatics

What is Nursing informatics? It is a combination of cognitive science, computer science, information science, and nursing science.

Nursing informaticists involve creating, analyzing, and assessing information systems enriched by technologies that aid, amplify, and oversee patient care.

As a nurse informaticist, you will use your nursing and information science expertise to assist healthcare organizations in enhancing patient care.

You will be working in diverse environments, such as – hospitals, physicians’ offices, and community health centers. You might acquire any role like nursing informatics clinician, clinical informatics coordinator, and IT clinical nurse.

Read:

-> What is Nursing?

-> Is Nursing a Good Career?

-> How Long Is Nursing School?

Nursing Informatics Degree Requirements

To enroll in a nursing informatics degree, you must possess –

• Bachelor’s Degree (BSN) or MSN (for doctorate)
• Active RN license (work experience not mandatory at the time of enrollment)
• Criminal background check

* These are the standard requirements while other requirements like a letter of recommendation may also follow depending on the program.

Nursing Degrees: 

-> Associate Degree

-> Bachelor’s Degree

-> Master’s Degree

Nursing Informatics Program

The course curricula vary by program type, but overall, it would have similar stuff:   

Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, and Sociology

• Nursing Informatics Speciality
• Healthcare Information Systems
• Database Management
• Project Management
• Workflow Design and Management
• Information Security and Privacy
• Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
• Advanced Health Assessments
• Advanced Nursing Practice
• Statistics For Evidence-Based Practice
• Strategic Planning
• Organizational Leadership

Nursing Informatics Degree Programs

The primary focus of a Nurse Informatics degree program is to bridge the gap between nursing practice and technology, aiming to enhance patient care, safety, and overall healthcare system efficiency.

The degree programs are mainly graduate programs or specialized programs meaning you need to get a Master’s (MSN in nursing Informatics) or a Doctorate (Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Specialization in Nursing Informatics).

Let’s explore each of the degree programs:

MSN in Nursing Informatics

This is a graduate program and might take 1-3 years to complete depending on your current educational background. You can enroll in this program only if you have a degree in nursing – ADN or BSN.

You know the course curricula but what you should also know is that you also must complete an average of 500 – 1000 clinical hours as a part of the program. You may also need to complete a practicum or an internship.

To become a certified Nurse Informatics, you need to clear the certification exam – Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), post-completion of your MSN program.

There are 2 ways to get an MSN in nursing informatics.

RN to MSN in Nursing Informatics

This program is for those with an RN licensure with an associate degree. To enroll you must require an RN licensure, with or without work experience at the time of enrolment.

* Work experience requirement varies per program, as some only accept students with 1 or 2 years of work experience as an RN.

You may proceed with your MSN in nursing informatics degree that combines BSN and MSN programs and you can finish it in around 3-4 years depending on your learning pace.  

BSN to MSN in Nursing Informatics

This program is for you if you already have a BSN degree and are an RN. This program requires 2 years to complete. But, some accelerated programs only take between 12 to 18 months to complete.

Read -> How To Get A BSN?

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Specialization in Nursing Informatics

This program makes you eligible for leadership roles and senior administrative positions within the field. It also opens doors to possibilities for teaching positions in informatics at the university level. 

This is a post-graduate program and might take about 2-4 years to complete depending on your current educational background. 

The course curricula are mentioned above, but a DNP program focuses more on statistics, data analytics, healthcare applications, systems management, and leadership skills. However, you may also require to undergo longer clinical hours, practicums, or some research. 

If you intend to become a Certified Nurse Informatics you might need to clear the certification exam – Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), post-completion of your DNP program.

There are 2 ways to get you DNP –

BSN to DNP in Nursing Informatics

If you have a BSN degree and you wish to gain some leadership roles in the field of nursing informatics you can directly enroll in this program. A BSN-to-DNP program typically requires 3-4 years to complete.  

MSN to DNP in Nursing Informatics

If you already have an MSN degree then it takes around 1-2 years to finish depending on your pace of learning and time commitment.

Online Nursing Informatics Degree

Just like any other nursing degree, you can also opt to get an online degree in nursing informatics. The course curricula and other aspects are the same as on-campus ones. Here, you will be learning the course online except for attending clinical hours in person. 

You May Also Like:

-> Nursing Degree Online

-> Nursing Degree Levels

Online programs are more affordable, flexible, and self-paced and this makes students opt for it. But, be smart while choosing it. Choose programs that are – accredited, have clinical experience opportunity, prepares for the certification exam RN-BC and provides a university certificate.

Master’s Online Degree in Nursing Informatics

The program facts are the same as on-campus MSN programs. The course curricula are also almost the same. Just like in the traditional ones, there are 2 ways to achieve an Online MSN in nursing informatics.

Rn to MSN – this program is for those with an associate degree but with an RN licensure by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. This program typically takes around 12 – 24 months depending on your learning pace.

BSN to MSN – this program is for those with a BSN degree. This takes around 12 months or less to complete depending on your learning pace.  

Online DNP in Nursing Informatics

Like the on-campus ones, there are 2 ways to earn this degree online.

BSN to DNP

If you have a BSN degree you could opt for this way and it will take you around 2 to 3 Years to complete the course.

MSN to DNP

If you have already earned an MSN then you require around 12 to 24 months to earn this degree.  

What Can You Do with a Nursing Informatics Degree?

Nurse informaticists are qualified nurses with both nursing experience and advanced knowledge of technology and information systems. After gaining your license you have an ocean of opportunities to embark on rewarding, 6 figure-earning job roles.

Let’s explore the career options that you can choose after getting your license in nurse informatics:

Chief Nursing Informatics Officer

They are senior executives with an MSN or DNP degree, with an RN-BC licensure. They create and administer IT strategies, and oversee technological training of nurses.

Average Annual Salary: $120,000

Director of Clinical Informatics

This is a senior position and you can hold it with a Master’s or DNP degree with an RN-BC licensure. You will oversee the electronic medical records systems and clinical data for healthcare facilities.

Average Annual Salary: $95,750

Nursing Informatics Specialist

You can still become a nursing informatics specialist with a BSN degree in information science or nursing informatics and an RN licensure. You will have to manage clinical information systems, design, and test systems technology.  

Average Annual Salary: $84,270

Clinical Analyst

You become a clinical analyst with a BSN degree in information science or nursing informatics and an RN licensure. You will oversee compliance with laws and regulations. You may also train healthcare providers on the use of the software.   

Average Annual Salary: $70,880

What Does a Nurse Informaticist Do?

So, you have completed your course and have earned a license RN-BC that will allow you to start working as a Nurse Informaticist. Your role is dynamic and multifaceted with a blend of nursing expertise, technical skills, and improve healthcare delivery through technology.

Let’s explore your day-to-day tasks:

System Implementation and Optimization

You will play a crucial role in the implementation and optimization of healthcare information systems (such as Electronic Health Records – EHRs) within clinical settings. You have to ensure these systems are effectively integrated and customized to meet the needs of nursing practice.

Workflow Analysis and Design

You will analyze and evaluate clinical workflows to identify areas for improvement and enhance patient care and reduce administrative burden.

Training and Education

You need to provide training and education to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals on how to use technology tools and systems effectively.

Data Management and Analysis

You are involved in collecting, managing, and analyzing healthcare data. You then collaborate with data analysts and researchers to extract meaningful insights, contributing to evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives.

Clinical Decision Support

You develop and implement clinical decision support systems that provide healthcare professionals with timely and relevant information to make informed decisions at the point of care.

Apart from these duties –

• You will work toward implementing changes to enhance patient safety and the quality of care.
• You will ensure the implemented systems and processes adhere to relevant regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA and other data security guidelines.
• You may engage in research projects to explore innovative ways to leverage technology for nursing practice and patient care.
• You will collaborate and communicate effectively with other professionals or stakeholders.

Read More:

-> 7 Best Online Nursing Degrees for 2023

-> Nursing Degree- Best Schools, Major & Programs

Skills Required to Become a Nurse Informaticist

As a nurse informaticist, you require some skills to be successful:

• Management Skills
• Data Analytics
• Computer Science
• Design and Development
• Information Systems

FAQs – Nursing Informatics

Is A Nursing Informatics Degree Worth It?

A degree in nursing informatics helps open 6-figure earning potential and expand your career in advanced and senior-level positions.

Let’s talk data:

As per the HIMSS survey:

• There are 60% of nurse informaticists with DNPs, earning yearly $100,000 or more, while there are 24% that earn yearly $151,000 or higher.  
• In 2022, 60% of nurse informaticists reported a salary over $100,000 an increase of 49% from 2020.
• There was an increase in obtaining a DNP degree — a 2% increase from 2020.

Considering all of these we can conclusively see a spike in interest and demand for the nursing informatics degree and a serious increase in their earning potential. So, yes, a degree in nursing informatics is worth it.

How Long Is the Nursing Informatics Course in the USA?

In the USA, it takes between 1 to 4 years to complete a Nursing Informatics degree depending on your educational background and program. 

Here is a program-to-time list:

Rn to MSN – takes around 3 to 4 years. If you opt for online – around 12 to 24 months depending on your learning pace.

BSN to MSN – takes around 1 to 2 years. If you opt for online – around 12 months or less to complete.  

BSN to DNP – takes around 3 to 4 years. If you opt for online – around 2 to 3 Years to complete.

MSN to DNP – takes around 1 to 2 years. If you opt for online – around 12 to 24 months to earn this degree.  

Is Nursing Informatics and Health Informatics the Same?

No, they both are not the same.

Nursing informatics emphasizes patient care but health informatics focuses on administrative issues like data security and legal compliance.

Can I Work from Home as an Informatics Nurse?

Yes, if your employer allows it.

The HIMSS workforce survey reported 21% of nurse informaticists are working entirely from home and 45% of them have worked remotely during the week.