It might seem like computer science has nothing to do with healthcare. When a patient is in critical condition and nurses need to know if they are allergic to any medications, it highlights how intertwined these fields have become. If you are interested in both technology and nursing, a career in nursing informatics might be the right fit for you. 

You can take a closer look at informatics nursing and many other nursing specialties at Marian University. Our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is designed for career switchers who have completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 30 non-nursing college credits and would like to transition to nursing. By leveraging your prior education, you could earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in as few as 16 months after meeting requirements and completing prerequisites.

Before starting the admission process, you may want to take a closer look at the definition of nursing informatics and discover what nurse informaticists do. Then, explore the career pathway you could take to get started in this specialty.

What Is Nursing Informatics?

Informatics nursing is a nursing specialty that involves the integration of information science, information management and computer science with nursing science. The goal of informatics nursing is to streamline the capture, storage, management and application of health information in a way that improves patient care and boosts efficiency. In other words, informatics nursing is about meeting the needs of both patients and healthcare providers.

Thanks to the work of informatics nurses, nurses working in a clinical environment can more quickly find needed patient information and manage patient care more efficiently. This is advantageous for all nurses and patients, but particularly for those involved in critical, high-pressure situations in which seconds count.

What Does an Informatics Nurse Do?

The responsibilities of a nurse informaticist can vary from one healthcare organization to the next, as what they do depends in large part on the needs of the organization and its providers and patients. Some of their tasks can include the following:

• Designing, implementing and maintaining electronic health records (EHRs) and related healthcare information technologies
• Performing data analytics to identify trends and patterns, track patient outcomes and develop informed quality improvement initiatives, as well as identify areas where costs can be managed more wisely
• Training other nurses to use healthcare technologies properly

Beyond EHRs, some of the healthcare technologies that a nurse informaticist may work with include patient health monitoring systems, home care management systems and quality tracking initiatives.

Some informatics nurses may also liaise with policymakers, including those at government agencies and branches, to influence technology- and health information-related laws and regulations in a way that supports the needs of providers and patients.

Reasons for This Growing Trend in Nursing

Nursing informatics is a growing and still-evolving field, and it’s likely to continue increasing in importance in modern healthcare. 

One reason for this continuing trend is the widespread adoption of EHRs. Compared to physical records on paper, EHRs allow for better information security and far better ease of access. With EHRs, patient data can be shared across different providers and even different hospitals and clinics. This reduces the risk of medical errors while improving patient outcomes, as providers have easy access to real-time information.

Other reasons why nursing informatics has grown in popularity include:

• The continual need for improvements in both nursing efficiency and quality of care
• The popularity of virtual healthcare platforms, which rely on informatics nursing for information security
• The widespread adoption of healthcare technologies

How to Become an Informatics Nurse

If you’re excited about the prospect of applying information science and nursing science to improve the delivery of care, consider getting started on this career pathway.

Earn a BSN Degree

If you lack prior college education in a non-nursing field, then you can expect to enroll in a traditional BSN program, which typically takes four years to complete. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or 30 or more non-nursing college credits, you may be eligible to enroll or transfer into Marian University’s ABSN program. After completing any needed prerequisites and beginning the curriculum, you can graduate in as few as 16 months.

Our ABSN program teaches you everything you need to know to get started in nursing through the following learning components:

• Didactic coursework, which can be completed online
• In-person nursing skills and simulation labs, which offer a hands-on, immersive learning experience
• In-person clinical rotations, where you’ll practice providing direct patient care under supervision

Obtain an RN License

With a BSN, you will qualify to take the NCLEX-RN. This licensure exam is challenging, so start preparing for it while still in nursing school. Expect to be tested not only on your nursing knowledge, but also on your ability to apply critical thinking skills to develop appropriate nursing responses to various clinical situations. After passing the NCLEX-RN, you can apply for your nursing license from the state board of nursing.

Gain Clinical and Informatics Experience

After earning your license, you can start applying for clinical nursing jobs at the bedside. Look for a clinical specialty that interests you, such as emergency room nursing or medical-surgical nursing. While you’re gaining clinical experience, look for opportunities to gain experience in informatics. For example, you might volunteer for healthcare technology-focused committees, work on EHR implementation or participate in initiatives designed to improve quality of care. You can also complete continuing education credits in informatics, if available.

After gaining some clinical experience, look for opportunities to move into a nurse informaticist role. Earning a graduate degree can help you qualify for these roles.

Earn a Graduate Degree With an Informatics Focus

While it’s possible to become a nurse informaticist without a graduate degree, many healthcare employers prefer to hire informaticists with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or even a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with a focus on nursing informatics.

Pursue an Informatics Certification

To further expand your career opportunities, consider seeking a voluntary certification in your specialty. The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers the Informatics Nursing Certification (NI-BC). Obtaining it requires meeting the eligibility requirements, including experience hours and continuing education, as well as passing the certification exam.

Essential Skills and Qualities in Informatics Nursing

Along with clinical skills, nurse informaticists are generally expected to possess technical computer skills. They must be proficient with data analytics, EHRs and other healthcare technologies. They must also be able to embrace emerging technologies and utilize their potential.

Other important skills and qualities include the following:

• Attention to detail
• Collaboration
• HIPAA knowledge
• Interpersonal skills
• Patient advocacy
• Problem-solving skills
• Project management skills
• Resourcefulness

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

It’s a good idea to learn about the anticipated salary command and career outlook for nurse informaticists if you’re thinking about pursuing this career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for all types of RNs was $93,600 as of May 2024. 

According to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), 60% of nurse informaticists reported earning a salary of more than $100,000 in 2022. Salary expectations can increase with advanced education. HIMSS reports that 25% of informatics nurses with a doctorate earned a salary of over $176,000.

The BLS projects a 5% job growth rate for all types of RNs from 2024 through 2034, faster than average, translating to about 166,100 added jobs during this period. According to the HIMSS, roles within nursing informatics are becoming more commonplace. In the HIMSS 2022 survey, 54% of respondents reported new leadership roles such as chief nursing informatics officer, a 10% increase from 2020.

Pursue a High-Tech Nursing Career at Marian University

Marian University’s ABSN program can equip you to pursue a high-tech career in nursing, either in informatics or in any of dozens of other nursing specialties. Our Catholic university welcomes students of all faiths who are dedicated to ethical practice and upholding the dignity of the individual. Our nursing program supports the progress of our students by providing access to Academic Success Coaches and attentive faculty, along with a close-knit learning community.

Contact an admissions advisor today to take the next step into nursing.