PhD or Master's in Nursing Informatics Programs

Nursing Informatics graduate programs prepare nursing professionals to potentially improve patient outcome. These programs prepare graduate nursing students through the development, implementation, and evaluation of information technology.

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According to The American Nurses Association, nursing informatics is defined as the "science and practice (that) integrates nursing, its information and knowledge, with management of information and communication technologies to promote the health of people, families, and communities worldwide." Nurse Informatics Specialists are typically Registered Nurses who have a Nursing Informatics Graduate degree.

Nursing Informatics Graduate Programs Overview

Nursing Informatics Graduate programs are commonly offered in master's degree and graduate certificate programs. The programs usually include an internship or clinical rotation for hands-on practice. Graduates of nursing informatics programs might work as specialists who handle electronic medical records and information systems in a variety of settings. These settings may include: hospitals and public health organizations.

Prerequisites for Nursing Informatics Graduate programs are a Bachelor’s degree in nursing or related field for a master’s degree, and most graduate certificates. Program length varies. On average, it may take 2 years for master's degree. 1 year or less for graduate certificates. Other requirements of Graduate nursing informatics degree programs may include internships and clinical rotations which are required through most programs.

Types of Nursing Informatics Graduate Programs: Online or On-campus?

Prospective students can use the GradSchools.com site to find both campus-based and online Nursing Informatics Graduate degrees. Looking for Nursing informatics schools and colleges in a specific area? Use the city, state, or country tabs to browse listings in these places. Some of these same universities may also offer distance-learning options. But, you can review online programs specifically as well. These programs may be 100% online or include an on-campus segment. Worth investigating if you need the flexibility of studying remotely.

Types of Nursing Informatics Graduate Degrees

Nursing informatics graduate degrees integrate healthcare with the social sciences, information science and computer technology in order to improve and advance the quality of healthcare delivery.

A master's degree program in nursing informatics may help students understand how information systems are designed and used in medical facilities. The masters program may also help students understand how to determine the effectiveness of these systems. Look through our directory and find listings such as the following:

• MS with major in Nursing/Nursing Informatics,
• MS in Nursing: Health Care Informatics (Bridge)
• MS in Nursing –Nurse Informatics

Similarly a graduate certificate can help students learn how to use information systems and technology to provide a better healthcare experience for both medical staff and patients.

A doctorate degree might be the right fit for someone interested in chief executive, advanced research or academic positions

FUN FACT: widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) will continue to create demand for managers with knowledge of health information technology (IT) and informatics systems. Medical and health services managers will be needed to organize, manage, and integrate these records across areas of the healthcare industry.^[i]

Job Outlook For Nurse Informatics Degrees

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an increasing demand for the adoption of electronic information systems. This demand is creating a growing need for nursing informatics in health care organizations and businesses that develop and sell health care information technology. Though this field is projected to see a 32% growth in employment between 2020 to 2030, candidates with advanced education and knowledge of healthcare IT systems are likely to face the best job prospects. Some of the reported job titles for Informatics Nurse Specialists include: (Source: BLS.gov)

• Business Consultant Clinical Informatics
• Health Information Managers
• Clinical Informatics Director
• Director Clinical Information Services;
• Nursing Information Systems Coordinator

Amelia Roberts, BSN, RN

Professional Insight into Accelerated Nursing Graduate Programs

“Health IT will soon just be health. There will soon be the understanding the IT is involved with all aspects of healthcare delivery. Pursuing a nursing informatics program is in line with where healthcare is heading. Nurses need to be prepared to be involved with decisions that will improve patient outcome. For this reason nurses may choose this path to make healthcare documentation easier for other nurses data is ready when they need it to the most effective provide care.”

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Ready to Search for a Nursing Informatics Graduate Degree Program?

To become an Informatics Nurse, you must first be a registered nurse with a clinical background. A clinical background is critical to understanding the workflow of clinical nurses as well as the working environment of the various care settings. If you are interested in specializing in this field, look through graduate programs to find the one that aligns with your goals today!

^{[i] bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm | onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1121.01}

Schools with Nursing Informatics Degrees

GradSchools.com offers 10 PhD or Master's in Nursing Informatics Programs