Nursing Informatics Programs
An online nursing informatics program is a flexible path for nurses to enter this in-demand nursing specialization to advance their careers. Online nursing informatics programs train nurses in healthcare informatics. Nursing informatics is one of the newest and also most in-demand specializations in the nursing field. However, many working nurses who would excel in the job may be at a loss as to how to break into informatics with an online master’s in nursing informatics.
So, it’s not a surprise that there is a shortage of nursing informatics specialists in healthcare organizations. After all, most nurses enter the profession out of a passion for direct care, not because of their computer science skills. But the know-how to organize, analyze, and most importantly, apply information and data is crucial to contemporary medical care. In fact, these skills can save lives.
Ranking the Best Master’s Online Nursing Informatics Programs
Of course, most working RNs can hardly afford to leave their careers, much less relocate to take advantage of the best master’s in nursing informatics programs in the US. An online, hybrid, or low-residency program is likely the best choice for most nursing professionals. This is especially true if you’re already in one of the highest-paying cities for nurses. That’s why Top RN to BSN has ranked the 30 Best Online Masters in Nursing Informatics Programs. This list gives working nurses all over the US a guide to finding the program that will work best for their needs, either in their own state or across the country.
All of the nursing informatics online programs featured in the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Informatics Programs are regionally accredited. In addition, most are also accredited by the CCNE, ACEN, or another trusted accrediting agency. Programs are ranked according to 3 standards:
- Cost (current IPEDS tuition data)
- Reputation (current Niche rating)
- ROI (current College Scorecard alumni salary)
1. Rutgers University
The Rutgers School of Nursing and Rutgers University offer one of the best online Master in Nursing Informatics programs available. The Rutgers Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Informatics is a thirty-seven-credit program. Although online classes are primarily asynchronous, there are several mandatory synchronous virtual meetings throughout the program. In addition to the coursework, students complete 225 clinical hours in-person with an approved clinical partner. Students can complete the full-time degree in either two years, or choose a part-time plan of study. This degree prepares nurses to use technology to both manage and communicate data that affect patient care outcomes. Graduates use technology to create administrative systems, manage and deliver educational experiences, life-long support learning, and also impact nursing research. In addition, graduates are eligible to sit for national board certification.
The Rutgers College of Nursing was established in 1956. Today, the school has campuses in Newark, New Brunswick, and also Blackwood. Rutgers University has accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In addition, the nursing programs at the Rutgers School of Nursing have accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
2. Vanderbilt University
The School of Nursing at Vanderbilt University offers one of the best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics programs. The Vanderbilt program partners with the nationally recognized leader in Informatics, the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Other affiliations also provide resources to students as they focus on their areas of informatics interest. The MS in Nursing Informatics specialty is in a modified online learning format. So, most coursework is online. However, there are four on-campus sessions in Nashville that students must attend. Students must also complete a clinical practicum. But, the school tries to let students attend placements in their home communities.
Vanderbilt University is a private university in Nashville, Tennessee. The school was formed in 1895 and has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Degree: MSN in Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
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3. University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus offers one of the best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics programs. Students can complete the program entirely online with no required in-person classes. However, many students travel to the campus for graduation. The degree program consists of nursing core classes, informatics core courses, and also a clinical practicum. In addition, UC helps students find placements in the field of healthcare informatics. The program is also affordable because all online students pay in-state tuition.
University of Colorado’s nursing program has accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Council (NLNAC) and also the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN in Health Care Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
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4. Texas Tech University
The Health Science Center School of Nursing at Texas Tech University offers one of the best online Masters in Nursing Informatics programs. With the Texas Tech Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nursing Informatics (NI) track graduates prepare for advanced practice roles in nursing informatics. This thirty-six credit online degree requires some travel to the Lubbock, Texas campus for field experience and also other required in-person events. Texas Tech also offers a Post-Master’s Nursing Informatics Certificate. This certificate program is for students who already have a Master of Science in Nursing but want to enter an advanced practice role in the field of nursing informatics.
The Texas Tech University School of Nursing graduated its first class in 1981. In addition, the Master’s degree program in nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
5. University of Pittsburgh
The School of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh has one of the best online Masters in Nursing Informatics degree programs. UP offers three Nursing Informatics program options. Students can choose it as a major, or a minor, and also earn a Post-Professional Certificate in Nursing Informatics. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialty in Nursing Informatics is an online program that students can complete on either a full or part-time basis.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing opened in 1939 to respond to the need for nurses during WWII. The Master of Science in Nursing degree program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing has accreditation from the CCNE.
Degree: MSN with a specialty in Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
6. Western Governors University
Western Governors University has one of the best online Master of Science in Nursing Informatics degree programs. The WGU Masters in Informatics program is a primarily online nursing program that consists of fourteen courses. Full-time students will take three or four classes each term, and most students finish the program in about two years. In addition to the online coursework, students complete clinical practice experiences. The field experiences take place in a university facility as close to the student’s home community as possible. Informatics nursing students also have the opportunity to earn the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) certificate in Healthcare Quality Principles along with their degree,
WGU maintains regional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. In addition, the nursing degree programs at WGU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
7. Ferris State University
The School of Nursing at Ferris State University has one of the best online Masters of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Informatics. The Ferris State MSN degree is a 100% online program. Students can choose how fast they complete the program and also change the pace if their circumstances change. Furthermore, no campus visits are required to earn this Master’s degree. However, the nursing school does encourage everyone to try to attend the graduation ceremony on campus at the end of the program. In addition to the coursework, students complete two 120 hour practicums at the capstone level. One is a specialty role project, and the other is a specialty role immersion. Both practicums require the supervision of an MSN-prepared nurse.
Another component of this program is the professional portfolio. Students work on the portfolio throughout the degree and then submit the professional portfolio related to their specialty role for review at the end of the program. If appropriate, students may complete the project practicum and role immersion in the facility where they work. This rigorous program only accepts sixty students every year. Additionally, the Master of Science in Nursing program at Ferris State University has accreditation from the CCNE.
Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
8. Georgia Southwestern State University
Another one of the best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics programs is at Georgia Southwestern State University. The MSN program is a collaborative effort between Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) and Columbus State University (CSU). With this partnership, students benefit from learning from instructors at two universities. All of the online coursework for the MSN in Nursing Informatics is through the learning management system, Georgia On My Line (GOML). However, the MSN preceptorship and the practicum internship are not online. But, most students attend these clinicals in their home communities.
The Georgia Southwestern MSN program requires thirty-six credit hours to complete. Additionally, graduates of the MSN Informatics track are eligible to take the ANCC Informatics Board Certification exam. The Masters of Science in Nursing program at Georgia Intercollegiate Consortium for Graduate Nursing Education (Consortium of Georgia Southwestern State University and Columbus State University) has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Degree: MSN in Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
9. Troy University
The College of Health and Human Services School of Nursing at Troy University has one of the best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics degree programs. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Healthcare Informatics and Leadership program offers both clinical experiences and online classes. To graduate, students complete thirty-seven credit hours of coursework and also four hundred eighty clinical hours. Students have the option to enroll for either full-time or part-time study. This degree program prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in Healthcare Informatics.
Troy University is a public institution of higher learning founded in 1887 in Troy, Alabama. Troy has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Also, the nursing programs have it from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Healthcare Informatics and Leadership
Cost: $$$$$
10. CUNY School Of Professional Studies
The CUNY School Of Professional Studies offers one of the best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics Programs. This unique program offers a dual degree path. It allows students to earn a BSN and MSN at the same time. Furthermore, this fast-track RN to BSN-MSN in Informatics is entirely online. The BSN and MSN coursework overlaps and allows students to complete both degrees in less time than each degree completed independently. In addition to the coursework, students complete a six-credit practicum to gain experience with data management system design, compliance, and staff education.
The City University of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies (SPS) opened in 2003. It provides educational programs for working adults. CUNY SPS offers online undergraduate, graduate, and also certificate programs. The school also offers training programs for government agencies, nonprofits, and unions. Additionally, the RN to BS-MS in Nursing Informatics at CUNY School of Professional Studies has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: RN to BS-MS in Nursing Informatics (Accelerated)
Cost: $$$$$
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11. University of South Alabama
The College of Nursing at the University of South Alabama offers one of the best online Master of Science in Nursing in Informatics. This College of Nursing also offers five different pathways to completing the online MSN program. All of the MSN courses are online, and most clinicals are arranged in the student’s home community. Moreover, the Nursing Informatics program does not require students to complete a certification exam in order to graduate. In addition, four of the courses in the Master’s degree nursing program are offered at a doctoral level. Therefore, students moving on to a Doctor of Nursing Practice program will have completed 12 credit hours of nursing knowledge required for the DNP degree.
The University of South Alabama is in Mobile, Alabama. This public university started in 1963 and replaced existing extension programs operated by the University of Alabama. In addition, the Master’s degree program in nursing has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN in Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
12. Grand Canyon University
The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions at Grand Canyon University offers one of the best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics programs. The Grand Canyon, MSN Health Informatics program consists of forty credits of online coursework. Most of the online classes for this program are eight weeks long. In addition to the coursework, students complete a master’s in nursing informatics capstone and a sixteen-week practicum project.
Grand Canyon University is a private university in Phoenix, Arizona. This for-profit Christian school was established in 1949. By student enrollment, Grand Canyon University is the largest Christian university in the world. An estimated twenty thousand students attend the school on campus and also seventy thousand online. Furthermore, Grand Canyon University has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). In addition, the nursing master’s program has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN with an Emphasis in Health Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
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13. Columbus State University
Another one of the best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics programs is offered by Columbus State University. This Master of Science in Nursing is an online degree previously offered cooperatively by Columbus State University and Georgia Southwestern University. Both institutions are members of the University System of Georgia. However, future cohorts will earn the degree only from Columbus State. This nursing informatics program is a thirty-six credit program with fifteen core credits, eighteen credits in Informatics, and also an optional thesis or independent study.
This Master’s degree program is offered by the Consortium of Columbus State University and Georgia Southwestern University. It has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In addition, Columbus State is currently seeing individual programmatic accreditation for the degree. Columbus State is a public university founded in 1958 in Columbus, Georgia. The university is also part of the University System of Georgia and annually enrolls around 7,800 students.
Degree: MSN Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
14. Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University)
Jefferson offers one of the best online master’s in Nursing Informatics programs. The Jefferson Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Nursing Informatics (NI) Specialty combines nursing science, information science, and computer science to support healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. The program requires thirty-six credits of coursework and is available online. Students can choose a two-year or three-year plan of study. Graduates of the Nursing Informatics Specialty are eligible for the American Nurses Association certification of Nursing Informatics Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Jefferson is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The university was born in 2017 when both Philadelphia University and Thomas Jefferson University merged on July 1, 2017, under the United name of Jefferson.
Degree: MSN Nursing Informatics (NI) Specialty
Cost: $$$$$
15. University of Maryland
The School of Nursing at the University of Maryland has one of the best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics degree programs. Maryland’s MSN in Informatics is a forty-credit program that students can take part-time or full-time. In addition to the coursework, students must complete 135 practicum hours. For nurses who already have a master’s degree, the school offers the option to earn the Nursing Informatics Certificate and enter the field of Informatics. In addition, students in states that are members of the Southern Regional Education Board may be eligible for the in-state tuition rate.
The School of Nursing at the University of Maryland is one of the oldest nursing schools in the United States. Founded in 1889 by Louisa Parsons, a nurse trained by Florence Nightengale. The school maintains affiliations with hundreds of area healthcare facilities. The University of Maryland nursing program has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN: Nursing Informatics program
Cost: $$$$$
16. Jacksonville University
Jacksonville University has one of the best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics programs in the country. The Master of Nursing Informatics program provides a convenient way for working RNs to earn their graduate degrees. This program employs clinical opportunities that are project-based. Furthermore, Informatics courses are offered in-person, hybrid, or online. Courses are also in 8-week flexible course formats. So, students can easily take classes on a full-time or part-time basis. In addition, Jacksonville University offers a Nursing Informatics post-graduate certificate for nurses interested in training in this field.
Jacksonville University is a university in Jacksonville, Florida. The private school was founded in 1934. In addition, the informatics master’s degree program in nursing at Jacksonville University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN Nursing Informatics program
Cost: $$$$$
17. Nebraska Methodist College
Training nurses to liaise between IT and healthcare personnel, the Nebraska Methodist College Master’s in Nursing Informatics program is one of the best online degrees. Students in this program do not need the GRE for admission. In addition, students can complete Nebraska Methodist’s online MSN in approximately twenty-one months. The online courses are in blocks. Each course lasts five or ten weeks with a one-week break between the next class. In addition to the online classes, graduates must complete 200 clinical hours. After graduating from the program, students are eligible for informatics certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. As a nice bonus, Nebraska Methodist offers students free professional memberships. All students receive both national and chapter membership to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
Established in 1891, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health is a private college in Omaha, Nebraska. This Methodist school focuses on degrees in healthcare. Nebraska Methodist is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and also the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Degree: MSN, Nursing Informatics program
Cost: $$$$$
18. Nova Southeastern University
The Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing at Nova Southeastern University offers one of the best online master’s in Nursing Informatics programs. The program is completed with fifteen credits of core classes and twenty-one credits of nursing informatics courses. Students can take all of these thirty-six credits online. In addition to the online coursework, students take one hundred and fifty practicum hours.
Nova Southeastern University opened in 1964 and is a private research university that offers over one hundred fifty programs of study. The school’s main 314-acre campus is in Davie, Florida. Nova Southeastern University has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, the Master’s degree program in nursing has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN in Nursing Informatics program
Cost: $$$$$
19. Chamberlain University
Another degree that prepares nurses for roles as informatics specialists are available at Chamberlain University. The school’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in Nursing Informatics is one of the best online informatics degrees you can earn from anywhere. The program teaches students how to combine nursing with information systems to improve patient care and reduce costs. Each student completes the required online coursework, one class at a time. In addition, students complete 216 hours of practicum experience in informatics. Each practicum is designed by the student their mentor and is also based on the student’s professional and educational goals.
Chamberlain University is a private, for-profit nursing school with both online programs and locations across the US. The school confers online degrees from its main campus in Addison, Illinois. Chamberlain has university accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). In addition, the master’s degree program in nursing maintains accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN Nursing Informatics Specialization
Cost: $$$$$
20. Allen College + University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Allen College has an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Leadership in Health Information Technology (HIT) degree that is collaborative. The online informatics degree combines nursing classes from Allen College and health information courses from the University of Minnesota (UMN) School of Nursing. This thirty-eight credit program includes twenty-two credits of online nursing classes taken at Allen College and also sixteen online LHIT courses taken through UMN. In addition to the online coursework, students travel to the Allen campus twice for a one-day orientation and the graduate project presentation.
Program graduates receive a Master of Science in Nursing from Allen College and a post-baccalaureate certificate from the University of Minnesota. In addition, eligible graduates can be certified in informatics nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Allen College is a private university in Waterloo, Iowa. Allen has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the nursing school from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Degree: MSN Leadership in Health Information Technology (LHIT)
Cost: $$$$$
21. Liberty University
Another one of the best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics programs is offered by Liberty University. The Liberty University Master of Science in Nursing in Nurse Informatics is a thirty-six-credit program entirely online. Classes are eight weeks long, and students can complete the degree in eighteen months.
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University is a private university founded by Jerry Falwell in 1971. In 2020 the school enrolled approximately ninety thousand students, and it is considered one of the largest Christian universities in the world. The Master’s degree program in nursing at Liberty University School of Nursing has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
22. Thomas Edison State University
The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing at Thomas Edison State University offers one of the best online master’s in Nursing Informatics degree programs. The TSEU master’s in nursing is a thirty-six-credit degree that consists of core classes and informatics classes. To graduate, students also complete two consecutive practicum classes with a total of three hundred supervised hours. At program completion, students are awarded a Master of Science in Nursing and a Graduate Nursing Certificate in Nursing Informatics. In addition, ambitious students can earn an additional Graduate Nursing Certificate in a second, advanced specialty area by completing the required classes.
Thomas Edison State University opened in 1972. This New Jersey public university with a campus in Trenton mainly serves the state’s nontraditional students. The Master’s degree program in nursing at Thomas Edison State University has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN with a Nursing Informatics specialty
Cost: $$$$$
23. Walden University
One of the most flexible and best online Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Informatics is at Walden University. This Master’s program is similar to many of the other programs with a path for students with bachelor’s degrees (BSN-MSN). However, this program is also open to RNs with an associate’s degree (RN-MSN). In both programs, students complete twenty core credits, thirty informatics specialization credits, and a five-credit Capstone course. Students who have not yet earned a BSN also complete Foundations Courses (29 cr.).
Walden has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). In addition, the master’s degree program in nursing at Walden University has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
24. Post University – American Sentinel College of Health Sciences
American Sentinel College of Health Sciences at Post University offers an online Master’s in Nursing Informatics program with one of the best delivery options. The Post MSN in Nursing Informatics requires the completion of forty credit hours. All of the classes are delivered online, including the practice experiences. However, Post offers two different online delivery methods. Students can choose from a traditional term-based delivery method or a more flexible delivery method that is self-paced. These practice experiences are interactive learning opportunities built into the courses. Therefore, they require students to apply concepts to real-world scenarios.
The campus of Post University is in Waterbury, Connecticut. This school first opened in 1890, then it acquired American Sentinel University in March of 2021. Additionally, the masters in nursing at Post University is programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN in Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
25. Capella University
Capella University has one of the best online master’s in Nursing Informatics programs. The school’s MSN in Nursing Informatics online program is available with FlexPath for online self-paced learning. The degree consists of fifty-four credits and includes seven core classes, four informatics classes, and also two practicum courses.
Capella University is a private university that has been delivering online education since 1993. The for-profit school has a headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is also owned by the publicly traded Strategic Education. Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Furthermore, the nursing master’s program has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MSN in Nursing Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
26. DeSales University
The DeSales University best online Master’s in Nursing Informatics is a dual degree program. The school offers the MSN/MSIS Dual Degree in Data Analytics degree that includes both a Masters of Science in Nursing and also a Master of Science in Information Science. This program prepares students for careers in healthcare information technology. Furthermore, students can choose from a full-time plan usually completed in two years, or also a part-time class schedule that most students complete in three years. Additionally, students can finish this program’s core classes entirely online. However, the advanced classes and clinicals are in a hybrid format. Students travel to the Center Valley, PA campus once a week for advanced classes.
DeSales University is a private university in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. The school started in 1964, and then the Department of Nursing opened in 1974. This university is associated with the Catholic Church. Furthermore, graduates of the MSN/MSIS Dual Degree in Data Analytics can apply for Nursing Informatics certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). In addition, the DeSales master in nursing degree has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Degree: MSN/MSIS Dual Degree in Data Analytics
Cost: $$$$$
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27. University of Washington
Seattle’s University of Washington offers one of the Best Online Master’s in Informatics Programs that relate to nursing. This is not specifically a nursing degree but is a degree in health informatics. However, students can complete the UW Master of Science in Clinical Informatics & Patient-Centered Technologies (CIPTC) entirely online. The school offers both full-time and part-time options that take fifteen months to two years to complete. The CIPCT program is through the School of Nursing and the School of Medicine. The degree will teach healthcare professionals to use data and technology in clinical settings to advance patient care and outcomes. They will also learn how to promote the use of technology in healthcare settings. In addition, students complete forty-two to forty-eight credits to earn the CIPTC degree. Thirty-nine credits are coursework. Students must also complete a three-credit scholarly project or a nine-credit master’s thesis.
The University of Washington School of Nursing began offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1923. Elizabeth Sterling Seoul, a nurse who moved to Washington in 1912, was an integral part of the school and the nursing profession in Washington state. Soule was also the recipient of the first two degrees from the school, after which she dedicated herself to nursing education. Also, she was named by Time Magazine as the “Mother of Nursing in the Pacific Northwest.” Seoul was inducted into the National Nursing Hall of Fame and also the American Nursing Association Hall of Fame. The Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities accredits the University of Washington (UW). In addition, the UW School of Nursing offers five-degree programs that have accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Degree: MS in Clinical Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
28. Michigan Technological University
Another one of the best online degrees for nursing is the Master’s in Informatics at Michigan Technological University. This flexible online degree is in health informatics and is not specifically a nursing degree. Not only can students take classes at their own pace, but students can also apply for admission with no fee (for free!). Furthermore, they can earn a Certificate in Data Science while earning the MS. But that’s not all. Students who earn the nine-credit Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Certificate or the nine-credit Security and Privacy in Healthcare Certificate can also apply those credits toward the Master’s degree. Moreover, undergraduate students can enroll in the Accelerated Master’s program, enabling them to earn a BSN and an MSN in 5 years.
In addition, the Michigan Tech MS in Healthcare Informatics offers students eleven areas of specialization that allow students to cater a degree to their career goals. The only thing that would make this program more attractive is a buy one get one free option! Michigan Technological University is in Houghton, Michigan. This public university started in 1885 and is also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Degree: Master of Health Informatics (MS)
Cost: $$$$$
29. University of Illinois Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago offers one of the best online Master’s in Informatics degree programs for nursing. This Master of Science in Health Informatics at UIC is an online health informatics degree. Although this degree is not a nursing degree, nurses can earn this degree and advance their careers in nursing informatics. The degree provides both analytical and managerial experience to help nurses improve patient outcomes. Additionally, students can earn this degree as fast as two years.
The University of Illinois Chicago is a public research university. It is the largest university in Chicago and also enrolls around 33,000 students annually. Additionally, the University of Illinois Chicago has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
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30. Northwestern University
Northwestern University also offers one of the best online Master’s in Informatics degree programs for nursing. The school’s Master’s in Health Informatics (MHI) degree requires students to complete twelve classes. Five of the classes are core classes, but the other seven correspond to a chosen area of specialization. MHI students can choose from three program specializations to tailor their education. These concentrations are in Clinical Informatics, Health Technology Informatics, and also Health Administration Informatics. In addition to the online classes, students complete a capstone project in health informatics.
Northwestern University is a private Illinois university with a main campus in Evanston. Founded in 1851, it is the oldest chartered university in the state. Northwestern University has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Cost: $$$$$
Seeking Out the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Informatics Programs
Nursing in the 21st century looks very little like the occupation that began consolidating into a highly-trained profession late in the 19th century. Just 150 years after the establishment of the first proper nursing school, the field has been all but completely transformed by technology. Electronic health records are central to the health care industry.
While direct patient care remains the central mission of nursing, the complexity of the modern healthcare system has created an almost overwhelming variety of specializations, and the educational standards for a nursing career are becoming ever higher. From nursing diplomas to master’s and doctorate, nursing education has come a long way, and the highest-paying careers in nursing also demand higher education.
Most nurses realize that in this day and age, a Master of Science in Nursing degree is the key to higher pay, greater responsibilities, and also career advancement. So, for nurses who have a facility with technology, Nursing Informatics may be the best possible choice. Nursing Informatics Specialists hold the keys to the main driving force of modern medicine – information. With a significant shortage of qualified analysts, nursing informatics specialist can have their pick of jobs. For that reason, Master’s in Nursing Informatics Programs are quickly popping up across the nation.
Which Online Nursing Informatics Programs Are Best?
The relatively new field of Nursing Informatics pays well and can be a great career path for many nurses. These nurses want to know – How do I get into nursing informatics? What degree do I need for nursing informatics? Well, the majority of nurses entering the field do so with education. There are three common education paths.
- masters degree in Nursing Informatics
- post-graduate certificate in Nursing Informatics
- masters degree in Healthcare Informatics
Most nurses entering the nursing informatics field do so by obtaining a nursing informatics MSN online. A master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis on or specialization in informatics is the most common path. Many of the master’s in nursing informatics degree programs have online or hybrid programs. The nursing informatics degree online usually has a practicum, or clinical component, students take in a healthcare facility close to home. Before applying to one of these programs, make sure you check the nursing informatics degree requirements. Most require you to be an RN with a bachelor’s degree. However, some have options for students without a four-year degree.
What if I Already Have an MSN?
A nursing informatics degree may not be worth it for nurses who already have a master’s degree in nursing. Many of the schools that offer the MSN in Nursing Informatics programs also offer graduate-level certificates in nursing informatics. These certificate programs are the core informatics classes of the master’s degree. Because these students already have a graduate degree, they don’t have to repeat the general education component.
In addition to an MSN, another entry point into informatics for nurses is a Healthcare Informatics degree. This degree is broader and not just for nurses. Depending on your career goals, a healthcare informatics degree may be sufficient. Many jobs that require a nursing informatics degree may be OK with you having a similar degree.
What Can You Do With an Online Nursing Informatics Program?
Nursing Informatics is a subset of healthcare informatics, specific to both the field and the nurse’s role in the healthcare setting. The fields of Nursing Informatics and Healthcare Informatics are both growing fields. A career in nurse informatics focuses on how to manage information and communications in nursing. The goals are to improve patient care quality while also cutting costs and increasing efficiencies. Similarly, healthcare informatics is a broader term inclusive of many roles and aspects of using data to improve healthcare. In contrast, nursing informatics tends to focus more on patient care.
What Kind Of Jobs Can You Get With An Online Master’s in Nursing Informatics Degree?
Below are a few of the job titles for nurses in informatics.
- Clinical Informatics Analyst
- Informatics Manager
- Clinical/Systems Team Manager
- Director of Nursing Informatics and Information Systems
- Health Outcomes Analytics Manager
- Informatics Nurse Specialist
- Clinical Informatics Coordinator
- Nursing Informatics Specialist
- chief nursing informatics officer
Where Do Nurse Informaticists Work?
Nursing informaticists often work in hospitals, healthcare facilities, corporations, consulting firms, universities, and also select government agencies. Any location where there are patients receiving care may also need a nurse informaticist.
How Much Do Informatics Nurses Make?
Salaries for nurse informaticists vary widely and depend on location, job description, education level, and also experience. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has some similar job descriptions, but none that match well enough to provide good information.
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society is a non-profit organization devoted to reforming healthcare with technology using healthcare informatics. Moreover, the HIMSS 2020 Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey reported the following annual salary range information from the informatics nurses that responded.
- 11% – more than $150,000
- 26% – $116,000 to $150,000
- 63% – $61,000 and $115,000
Is Nursing Informatics In Demand?
Nursing Informatics is a growing specialty in the field of nursing. Since 1992, Nursing informatics has been recognized as a specialty in nursing with board certification through the ANA’s American Nurses Credentialing Center. However, recently, the field has seen a rapid increase in demand. This uptick is related to the increased use of technology in healthcare. Furthermore, this trend will likely continue as we move to a more technology-based world.
The information from the BLS indicates advanced practice nurse jobs are growing by 45% in the next few years. In addition, medical and Health Services Manager jobs are increasing by around 32%, and the need for Data Scientists is increasing by around 33%. All of these jobs are also related to Nursing Informatics in some way. Therefore, based on the growth of these three job descriptions, it is a logical conclusion that Nursing Informatics jobs are in demand.
Informatics Nurse Resources:
- Alliance for Nursing Informatics
- American Medical Informatics Association
- Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
- American Nursing Informatics Association
- Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
- International Medical Informatics Association
- Institute for Health Informatics
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