25 Best Online Nursing Informatics Programs

The best online Nursing Informatics programs prepare RNs to work in the growing field of healthcare informatics while earning a master’s degree. Healthcare and nursing informaticists are in high demand, as the healthcare system gradually transitions to electronic record-keeping. For working nurses and healthcare professionals, that means getting an online master’s degree in nursing informatics or health informatics can be the key to advancement, promotion, and significant pay raises. With an online degree, busy nurses and health managers can earn their master’s degree around their own schedule, without having to sacrifice their current careers.

With the number of online nursing informatics MSN programs and other online programs, employers are becoming more accepting of online education programs. Students must meet high standards and take just as challenging of courses as their peers who attend a brick-and-mortar school. Employers are recognizing this. In fact, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) revealed 79 percent of participants hired an individual with an online degree over the course of a 12-month period. This proves employers are realizing individuals work hard for an online degree.

Featured Programs

Our Method: Ranking the Online Nursing Informatics Programs

Best Health Degrees is for healthcare professionals. Because working nurses and health professionals need to see a real return on their educational investment, BHD editors ranked the best online nursing and health informatics programs based on real, practical considerations that matter to a working adult. The five criteria we use are Cost, Graduation Rate, Job Placement, Reputation, and Salary Expectations. Data comes from IPEDS, Niche, and College Scorecard.

1. The Ohio State University

Ohio State University’s Master of Healthcare Innovation online program is for nursing professionals at the entry or mid-career levels. It features nine courses, which include such topics as healthcare policies and technology, communication, organizational culture, and leadership, making it one of the best nursing informatics programs. Applicants need an aggregate undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or more on a scale of 4.0. Students who do not meet this requirement must submit GRE scores.

Ohio State University is a public institution that opened in 1870. The institution has an acceptance rate of about 48%. Ohio State University students also benefit from a 60-acre arboretum, 10 museums, and a four-acre park dedicated to cancer survivors. Ohio State’s healthcare innovation is for people who are passionate about advancing healthcare practices and policies and realizing value-added change within the organization where they work. Upon completing the program, students have the skills to be healthcare leaders in technology, administration, and patient care.

Favorite Facts: Ohio State University has a premier cancer hospital and academic medical research center.

Degree: Master of Healthcare Innovation

Find out how to apply at the program site!

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers one of the best nursing informatics programs, which includes an online Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Biomedical and Health Informatics. Students have the option of taking the course either on-campus or online. Students undertaking this course can choose one of the four disciplines, which include health analyst, health information privacy, programmer or software engineer, or health information management. The course focuses on imparting necessary health information and management skills that enable students to become professional-level analysts or managers.

Founded in 1789, the University of Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the oldest learning institutions in the country. The university enrolled its first students in 1795. UNC-Chapel Hill has a long history of advocating for innovative programs. The quality of the programs offered in the institution is comparable to that offered in Ivy League institutions. The institution has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Favorite Facts: Aspiring students have the option of fast-tracking their studies by signing up for a 16-months full-time study.

Degree: PSM in Biomedical and Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

3. Rutgers University

The master’s health informatics program is through the Rutgers School of Health Professions. Students have the choice of taking the course either on-campus or online. This flexibility is rather appealing to prospective students. People who have a background in the healthcare industry can undertake the course whose coursework involves such topics as data interpretation, project management, business intelligence, visual analytics, and also Python. Students can undertake the 36-credit master’s program in 18 months only. The program consists of two stages: Core course requirement of 21 credits and elective requirements of 15 credits.

Rutgers University opened in 1766, which means the institution existed before the American Revolution. The university’s school of nursing is one of the Best Graduate Nursing Schools in the country. It is also among the highest-ranked research universities in the US and is a Public Ivy.

Favorite Facts: As one of the best nursing informatics programs, students can specialize in consumer or patient care informatics, nanomedicine, healthcare management informatics, and bioinformatics.

Degree: MS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

4. University of Washington

The University of Washington offers an Online Master of Science Degree in Clinical Informatics & Patient-Centered Technologies program. It is for healthcare providers who want to gain more information on information technology at their disposal to improve patient care. The 49-credit program covers such topics as clinical effectiveness, telehealth, database concepts, project management, and computing concepts. For admission into the 15-month full-time program, aspiring students must possess a bachelor’s degree along with at least one year of experience in the healthcare industry.

The institution is an approved partner of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). The University of Washington opened in 1861. Apart from being one of the oldest public institutions on the West Coast, it is the University of Washington system’s flagship. Admission to the University of Washington is rather competitive as it has an acceptance rate of 46%. The main campus is located in Seattle, while its other two campuses are located in Tacoma and Bothell, Washington.

Favorite Facts: Students can take advantage of the “live” sessions with fellow students and faculty members, making it one of the best online nursing informatics programs.

Degree: Master of Science Degree in Clinical Informatics & Patient-Centered Technologies

Find out how to apply at the program site!

5. University of South Florida (USF Health)

The University of South Florida’s online health informatics program comes from one of the highest-ranked medical schools in the nation. This is one of the best nursing informatics online programs for people in the healthcare industry who want to advance their data science and application skills. As a fully online program, the health informatics program from USF Health allows working persons to advance their careers without having to leave their jobs. As one of the best online nursing informatics programs in Florida, the 32-credit program covers such topics as healthcare analytics, data management, statistics, and legal aspects of healthcare data systems. Students also have to complete case studies.

USF opened in 1956 and is one of the youngest but fastest-growing research universities. Inter-professional education, clinical activities, and research facilities are some of the few features that make the institution stand out.

Favorite Facts: USF Health’s Morsani College of Medicine is one of America’s top medical schools, according to the U.S. News & World Report.

Degree: MS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

6. University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Alabama’s MSN in Nursing Informatics program pairs information and data science with nursing. The program prepares learners for careers in leadership and analysis. The 40-credit program combines clinical experience with classroom theory. Before graduating, students have to complete 210 hours of direct contact with patients. This MSN in nursing informatics program focuses on four key areas. They include nurse practitioners, nursing education, nursing informatics, and nursing and healthcare management systems. A graduate degree in a nursing program takes a minimum of two years. One component includes technical information on how to design software and maintain information systems, and database maintenance. Additionally, students train in healthcare advocacy, development, and leadership. The program has accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), which means that it’s one of the best online nursing informatics programs.

The University of Alabama first started as the Birmingham Extension Center in 1936. By 1966, it had become a fully-fledged university. The institution has gone on to become Alabama’s only Carnegie Classification R1 Research Center. The institution owns UBA Health System, which is the state’s leading medical center and the biggest employer.

Favorite Facts: The program has two specializations: User Experience and Data Analytics. These two courses are fully online, making them suitable for people with full-time jobs or family obligations.

Degree: MSN in Nursing Informatics program, MS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

7. Arizona State University

The Masters of Advanced Study (MAS) in Health Informatics at Arizona State University is a 30-credit program where students need to undergo a total of 10 classes. Students can take this online nursing informatics program either full-time or part-time. Such depth in topics covered makes it one of the best online health informatics programs. To be admitted, students are required to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in healthcare, computer science, information technology, or biology-related fields. They are also required to submit a resume, statement of purpose, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.

Arizona State University is a public institution with five campuses in Phoenix’s metropolitan area, as well as four regional learning centers across Arizona. The institution’s College of Health Solutions partners with renowned institutions such as Barrow Neurological Institute, HonorHealth, and Mayo Clinic.

Favorite Facts: The program covers such topics as workflow analysis, evidence-based medicine, database modeling, population health management and analytics, and health information analytics in clinical environments.

Degree: MAS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

8. University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Illinois-Chicago’s master’s program in health informatics includes an optional specialization in Health Data Science. UIC masters health informatics online program requires learners to complete 28-42 credits, depending on whether they are taking the regular or specialized course. The program’s coursework includes such issues as healthcare transformation through predictive analytics and B.I., project management, and general health management. Prospective students have to show a minimum of 3.0 GPA and present undergraduate college transcripts. Students who have not already undertaken a healthcare-related degree must first take a proficiency exam to establish their level of comprehension. Then they can enter the Master in Health Informatics at UIC.

The University of Illinois-Chicago is a leading research institution with 15 colleges across Chicago. UIC is not only accredited by HLC but is also a member of AMIA. The institution has a somewhat competitive acceptance rate, which stands at 77%. Popular majors at the institution include Biology, Psychology, and Nursing.

Favorite Facts: UIC’s informatics program is CAHIIM accredited.

Degree: MS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

9. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers an MSN in Nursing Informatics program that is CCNE-accredited. Students who wish to undertake the program must be registered nurses and possess at least an associate degree in nursing. This is one of the best online nursing informatics programs for nurses who want to advance their careers by learning leadership and high-level management skills. All coursework is delivered online and includes such topics as I.T., finance, and budgeting, nursing informatics theory and practice, and statistics in healthcare. Students can interact with classmates and instructors through chat and discussion boards.

TTU was established in 1923, and its Health Sciences Center School of Nursing earned the first DNP in 2008. As the name suggests, the institution was initially designed for practical professions such as engineering, agriculture, home economics, and applied sciences.

Favorite Facts: Texas Tech’s roots in technology and engineering make it an ideal location for informatics.

Degree: MSN in Nursing Informatics program

Find out how to apply at the program site!

10. University of Scranton

The online master’s program in health informatics from the University of Scranton is designed for people without a background in computer science or healthcare. Considered one of the best online health informatics programs, it includes a few foundational classes that help students gain insights and necessary skills in both of these fields. The eight-week, 33-credit M.S. in Health Informatics degree program involves such courses as hospital administration, health informatics in public policy, and information technology for healthcare professionals.

The University of Scranton is a Catholic research university that was established in 1888. The institution also earned the 18th position on the USNR’s Best Value Schools in 2018. It is also Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accredited.

Favorite Facts: U.S. News & World Report now ranks the University of Scranton sixth among the best regional schools in the North.

Degree: MS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

11. University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida’s Professional Science Master’s degree program in informatics is widely considered one of the best online MSN informatics programs available today. As opposed to focusing on information technology and computer science, the university’s program aims to ground students in clinical and business aspects. The 38-credit master’s program is completed in 10 subsequent courses and a nursing informatics capstone project. To be eligible for the program, students must be bachelor’s degree holders from accredited institutions.

The University of Central Florida, formerly known as Florida Technological University, was founded in 1963. It was originally designed to train managers and engineers for NASA’s Space Coast. With time, it has evolved to become one of the most innovative and among the best research-oriented learning institutions.

Favorite Facts: As UCF’s degree focuses on real-world training, program graduates come out well-prepared to take up careers in health informatics as well as leadership positions in the healthcare industry.

Degree: PSM in Healthcare Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

12. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus’s online MSN in healthcare informatics program is for registered nurses who have active licenses. The nursing degree program, which is CCNE accredited, includes such topics as health systems and policies, healthcare informatics, theoretical and philosophical nursing, advanced practice, and information research methods. The program’s coursework is fully online, and students can arrange their practical sessions in a clinical setting from wherever they are. Such flexibility in learning has propelled this program to one of the best online health informatics programs in the U.S. Students can complete the coursework within two years through a full-time program.

Founded in 1912, the University of Colorado Denver has become one of the renowned research centers across Colorado. The U.S. News & World Report ranks it at #207 on their list of best national universities and #112 among the top public schools.

Favorite Facts: Apart from the Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, CU Denver boasts two teaching hospitals and the U.C. Health Sciences Center.

Degree: MSN in Health Care Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

13. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri offers a master’s degree program in health informatics through the institution’s Health Management Department in its School of Medicine. Prospective students need to have an undergraduate degree and three years of experience in a healthcare setting. Considered one of the best online health informatics programs, the 2-year program covers such topics as enterprise information architecture, data security, evaluation, and policy, data warehousing and mining, and health information technology. The students are also required to undertake a research project before they graduate.

The University of Missouri is a public university in Columbia, Missouri, which was established in 1839. It was the first public university in the west of the Mississippi River. The institution is accredited by HLC.

Favorite Facts: Between the first and second years of the program, students should fulfill their internship experience. The internship is a 12-week program that allows students to gain practical knowledge in a healthcare facility.

Degree: MS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

14. Duke University

Duke University’s School of Nursing has one of the best online health informatics programs in the country. This MSN in Nursing Informatics program is available online but requires one on-campus session every semester. Students learn clinical information systems skills, project management skills, and strategic planning. The nursing informatics online program prepares students to be able to plan systems lifecycles and implement IT systems for healthcare organizations. There is a practicum required for completion of the program.

Duke University is changing the health care work through its impact on clinical practice and community health and through excellence in education and research. Duke University School of Nursing’s (DUSON’s) alumni family is 6000 members strong, and many members are engaged in efforts to improve health information technology in order to provide higher-quality care and keep patients safe. DUSON offers global immersion experiences to students enrolled in its Master of Science in Nursing programs.

Favorite Facts: Most students work full-time while enrolled and find that they can fit the program into their busy schedules.

Degree: MSN in Nursing Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

15. Medical University of South Carolina

The Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management at the Medical University of South Carolina offers a Master of Science in Health Informatics. This program is designed to appeal to working professionals in the healthcare field who want to specialize in data management and information systems for healthcare. The program teaches students how to evaluate, implement, and use IT systems to manage electronic health records and other healthcare-related data.

The College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina is a leader in both education and research. The school embraces diversity and is constantly reevaluating its programs to provide the best quality education possible for its students. Its programs make extensive use of the latest technology, and many of them are ranked among the top programs in the nation.

Favorite Facts: The health informatics program is online but requires one on-campus session each semester, which typically lasts four days.

Degree: MS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

16. University of Miami

The Master of Science in Health Informatics at the University of Miami Online is one of the best online health informatics programs for busy adults. The program is 22 months long and is taught by expert instructors. The program gets students ready to serve as administrators of record systems in the healthcare industry. It is a great fit for professionals who already work in either IT or healthcare and wish to combine the two fields and specialize in IT for healthcare.

The University of Miami Online offers flexible degree programs that are taught by the same faculty that teach the school’s on-campus programs. Students can choose from multiple start dates and programs are designed to accommodate a full-time work schedule.

Favorite Facts: The health informatics program requires a capstone practicum that prepares students for situations they will encounter in the real world after graduation.

Degree: MS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

17. Florida International University

The College of Business at Florida International University offers an MS in Health Informatics & Analytics that helps prepare students for a career in healthcare information systems and support. The program is completely online and encourages the development of strong peer relationships that will help you as you embark on your new career. This is a cohort-based program that is limited to 40 students. Furthermore, the small class size makes it one of the best nursing informatics programs in Florida.

Florida International University’s College of Business is among the top 5% of AACSB-accredited schools worldwide. The school’s programs are highly rated, and its students are encouraged to develop a lifelong love of learning that will serve them throughout their careers. The school provides a technology-driven curriculum. Its students often take the top prizes in competitions, and graduates are actively recruited. Faculty members are actively engaged in research and actively work to bring about positive changes in public policy.

Favorite Facts: The fast track allows students to complete the program in just 14 months.

Degree: MS in Health Informatics and Analytics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

18. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati offers a Master of Health Informatics online degree gives students expertise in both IT and healthcare. It is designed to prepare students for a health informatics career even if they have no previous experience or training in either healthcare or information technology. Graduates will be able to serve either on the IT side—developing and improving health informatics systems—or on the healthcare side, ensuring the completeness and accuracy of each patient’s data.

The University of Cincinnati Online offers online programs that help working professionals advance in their careers through higher education. All students receive support from a student success team that helps ensure success. The school’s programs are flexible enough to accommodate any schedule—even active duty members of the military can find success through UC Online.

Favorite Facts: The program is available 100% online and offers flexible schedules for busy professionals.

Degree: Master of Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

19. Chamberlain College of Nursing

Chamberlain College of Nursing is another school to consider if you are looking for the best online nursing informatics programs. Chamberlain’s online Master of Science in Nursing has a nursing informatics track that teaches students how to combine information systems with nursing. Students learn how to implement new healthcare IT systems and optimize existing systems in order to reduce costs and improve care.

Care is what makes the Chamberlain College of Nursing stand out. Chamberlain Care means caring for students, patients, healthcare partners, and the community. Chamberlain’s Nursing Informatics makes an effort to help students achieve their educational career goals and works with them to ensure their success.

Favorite Facts: This nursing informatics specialty track includes the completion of a practicum, during which students collaborate closely with a mentor and faculty members.

Degree: MSN Informatics Specialty Track

Find out how to apply at the program site!

20. George Washington University

The Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University offers an MS in Management of Health Informatics and Analytics online. The program can be completed in 24 months and is intended for professionals with at least two years of experience in the healthcare field or three years of experience in another industry. It covers healthcare information technology, health information management, machine learning, predictive analysis, and the Internet of Medical Things.

George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health is one of the top-rated public health schools in the country. George Washington is located in Washington, DC, and due to its location, its faculty members are well-versed in public policy and actively working as experts in the field of public health in the DC area.

Favorite Facts: The program includes two on-campus immersion experiences and culminates in a capstone course that involves developing a practical solution to a real healthcare information problem.

Degree: MS in Management of Health Informatics and Analytics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

21. Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing offers one of the best online nursing informatics programs. The school’s master’s program in nursing informatics teaches students to use today’s healthcare technology to enhance workflow and improve the delivery of care. Students learn how to create healthcare IT systems that work. Nurse informatics graduates can use their skills to collect and manage data in the healthcare organizations where they work. The program includes the use of mobile, virtual reality, and telehealth technologies, as well as project management, evidence-based practice, and more.

The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing offers everything students need to be successful—including online courses with flexible scheduling. The school’s mission statement includes a section on informatics: to promote excellence and innovation through efficient informatics solutions that produce measurable results.

Favorite Facts: Faculty members hold doctoral degrees and have real-world experience, which enables them to guide students and help them reach their goals.

Degree: MSN in Nursing Informatics program

Find out how to apply at the program site!

22. Johns Hopkins University

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Division of Health Sciences Informatics offers an online Master of Science in Applied Health Sciences Informatics. This program takes 15-36 months to complete and prepares students for leadership positions in health informatics. Students learn to develop new ways to apply information technology to systems that provide solutions for clinical, biological, and public health challenges. Students must already possess a master’s or doctorate in a related field or have a bachelor’s degree and either five years of relevant work experience or an acceptable score on the GRE.

The Division of Health Sciences Informatics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine offers quality education and research. The school seeks to make valued contributions to the body of knowledge in the areas of public health and informatics. Johns Hopkins programs are interdisciplinary and are run in partnership with the School of Nursing, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, and other divisions within the Johns Hopkins system.

Favorite Facts: The faculty at Johns Hopkins conducts research that enlarges the body of knowledge in many disciplines, including radiology, pediatrics, nursing practice, and pathology.

Degree: MS Applied Health Sciences Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

23. Stanford University

Stanford Medicine’s Professional/Honors Cooperative Program (HCP) MS in Biomedical Informatics is a part-time distance education program that is identical to the academic program except that the research component is replaced with a work experience requirement. The academic program is geared toward students who wish to pursue a career in research, while the professional/HCP program is for professionals who wish to work in the field in a non-research setting.

Stanford Medicine has a long history of groundbreaking research and innovative teaching techniques. The school has cooperative relationships with the other divisions of Stanford, including the Schools of Law, Engineering, Business, and the School of Humanities and Sciences.

Favorite Facts: The school’s relationship with its affiliated hospitals gives it the ability to quickly implement new knowledge and put it into practice in clinical settings.

Degree: MS in Biomedical Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

24. UMass Lowell

UMass Lowell’s Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences offers an MS in Health Informatics and Management that prepares students for a lucrative career in the field. Graduates can earn upwards of $90k per year with a master’s in health informatics. In this program, students learn how to analyze and use health data to improve the quality of patient care and patient outcomes. The school developed the curriculum with the input and guidance of many industry experts.

The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences is committed to finding ways to improve the health of the community, the country, and the world through community programs, research, and hands-on learning. UMass Lowell has close relationships with many healthcare providers throughout New England, including Massachusetts General Hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Favorite Facts: The Health Informatics and Management degree is delivered 100% online to accommodate working professionals with busy lives.

Degree: MS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

25. Regis University

The College of Computer & Information Systems at Regis University offers an MS in Health Informatics that trains students to understand and manage diagnostic technologies, provider order systems, electronic health records, and more. Students learn to design and implement systems that handle a variety of healthcare information. This program helps students develop strong technical, analytical, and communication skills, as well as an ethical mindset.

In addition to teaching technical skills, Regis University’s College of Computer and Information Systems helps students understand the impact of technology on real life. Regis was founded on Jesuit values and challenges students to aspire to be leaders. The school’s vision is to use technology to promote the common good and make society a better place for everyone. The school’s values of integrity, perseverance, knowledge, passion, and communication are grounded in a foundation of community, family, health, and security.

Favorite Facts: This flexible online program is divided into eight-week courses and can be completed in as little as 24 months.

Degree: MS in Health Informatics

Find out how to apply at the program site!

What is Nursing Informatics?

Nursing informatics is a nursing specialization that uses information and data to improve patient care and nursing practice. Most patient data is now stored electronically. So, informatics is an essential part of modernizing healthcare. This rapidly growing area of nursing is an excellent career.

What Can You Do with a Nursing Informatics MSN?

Nursing informatics is a rapidly growing field that combines information management and nursing. This specialty in healthcare assists with the communication process in the nursing field. Career opportunities for MSN Nursing Informatics graduates exist in all healthcare services sectors in positions with job titles such as those listed below. They work in long-term care facilities. Some nursing informatics jobs include positions as:

Health IT Project Manager
Informatics Nurse Specialist (INS)
Health Information Manager
Informatics Administrator
System Administrator
Nursing Informatics Specialist
Informatics Executive
Clinical Informatics Nurse Specialist
Nursing Informatics Consultant
Informatics Analyst
Nursing Informatics Educator

How Much is a Nurse Informaticist Salary?

Is an MSN in informatics worth it? The jobs available with this degree have a high salary. For instance, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the average salary for a registered nurse (RN) is $77,600 per year. However, the HIMSS Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey indicated nearly 63 percent of participants earned from $61,000 to $115,000 per year.

What is the Career Outlook for Individuals with an MSN in Nursing Informatics?

Is there a demand for nursing informatics? There’s a high demand for individuals who earn an informatics online degree. In fact, the American Medical Information Association noted up to 70,000 specialists and analysts may be needed in nursing informatics over the course of the next five years.

The need for individuals in the nursing informatics field with a graduate nursing education will grow as a result of the change over to electronic medical records (EMR) as well as the growth of information technology. Places that hire individuals with an informatics online degree include nursing homes, research laboratories, health insurance agencies, hospitals, and health firms.

Will Employers Trust an Online Informatics Degree?

If you earn an online master of health informatics, you may worry that a prospective employer may not trust your online degree to get a health informatics job. However, unless you volunteer information stating that you gained your degree from online, potential employers won’t know.

Mainly, your prospective employer is looking to see if you completed an online master of health informatics from a reputable school. For this reason, when you start looking at online nursing informatics MSN programs, you want to select a school that has a solid reputation for either their online program or their reputation in general, so you can gain employment.

How Do You Become a Nurse Informaticist?

If you’re searching online for “how to become a nurse informatics professional,” the first step is to earn your bachelor’s degree. Generally, you want to have at least a bachelor of science in nursing, also referred to as a BSN. You may also fulfill the prerequisite for how to become a nurse informatics professional if you earn your master of science in nursing and then continue on to earn your informatics nursing certification.

Once you have your nursing degree, you’ll need to obtain your licensure to practice in nursing. This test is known as the NCLEX-RN. If you have a higher degree, you’ll need to complete the appropriate test. You must practice as a nurse for at least two years full-time to qualify to become a nurse informaticist.

Certificate in Nursing Informatics

You may consider earning either a certificate in nursing informatics or a master’s or doctorate. Once you complete your necessary education, you’ll need to complete a test to demonstrate your competency as a nurse informaticist. You’ll need to renew your credential every five years. Keep in mind, that these qualifications vary slightly from state to state, so make sure you review the specifics for your area.

What Will You Learn in a Nursing Informatics Program?

You learn the skills necessary to compete in the world of nursing information technology, such as strategic planning and project management. You also learn about a variety of technologies commonly used in nursing. As part of the nursing informatics degree requirements, you gain valuable knowledge and skills regarding information systems and strategic planning.

Basically, you learn how to create and design medical data. Additionally, you receive education about the implementation of the data. Part of your education focuses on storage and presentation since these may impact the delivery of patient care.

You learn skills that are required to thrive outside of a clinical setting because patient care doesn’t just include what happens inside an exam room. The individuals who perform informatic duties make all the difference in the level of care patients receive.

What Classes Do You Take in Online MSN Informatics Programs?

Online graduate nursing programs are slightly different. However, all MSN programs with nursing informatics specialization programs include standard requirements. In addition to a Nursing Informatics Practicum and Capstone Project, students take coursework. Some of the online classes are listed below.

Foundations of Nursing Informatics
Statistics and Data Management in Healthcare Systems
Healthcare Leadership
Project Management
Mobile Technologies
Virtual Reality
Evidence-based Practice
Decision-making and Analysis Tools
Current and Emerging Digital Technologies
Health Data Security
Informatics System Analysis
Nursing Leadership

How Long is a Nursing Informatics MSN Program?

The time to complete an MSN in nursing informatics degree online varies by school and program. However, most master’s degree programs take students approximately two years of full-time attendance to complete. Accelerated options are available for registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). These fast-paced programs take one year to 18 months to finish. Furthermore, students who attend part-time can take up to four years to complete some MSN programs.

Part of the nursing informatics degree requirements may also be comprised of advanced practice nursing courses. Plus, depending on the school of your choosing, you may have nursing informatics courses that specifically teach you about informatics in nursing.

Other Programs

Other schools not on our list offer excellent online MSN informatics programs. So prospective informatics nurses may also want to check out additional schools with an MSN health informatics program. Some of these include Ferris State University, Grand Canyon University, Liberty University online MSN, Georgia Southwestern University, Troy University, National University, Norwich University online MSN, Nebraska Methodist College, Wilkes University online MSN, Thomas Jefferson University, Jacksonville University, University of Pittsburgh, and Nova Southeastern University.

How Do You Become a Nurse Informaticist?

Generally, applicants need a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). However, you may also fulfill the prerequisite for becoming a nurse informatics professional if you earn your master of science in nursing and then continue earning your informatics nursing certification.

Next, graduates need to obtain their licensure to practice in nursing. This test is known as the NCLEX-RN. You’ll need to complete the appropriate test if you have a higher degree. Finally, you must practice as a nurse for at least two years full-time to qualify to become a nurse informaticist.

Related: