MSN in Nursing Informatics

When students get a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), they can be certified as an advanced practice nurse, which qualifies them for higher-paying jobs. Most MSN programs require students to specialize in one area of medicine, and if they are interested in technology, one area they can choose is nursing informatics. The field of informatics focuses on gathering, analyzing, organizing, storing, and sharing information in the most clear and accurate ways possible. Students collaborate with other healthcare professionals in this field to help the facility run more smoothly, work on research projects that really make a difference in modern medicine, or keep patient records safe and accurate.

Requirements for Earning an MSN in Nurse Informatics

Requirements to become a nurse informaticist can vary by state. Successful students generally complete the following steps:

Earn proper bachelor’s degree (requirements vary by state). A BS in health informatics is the minimum education requirement for health information managers.
Earn proper master’s degree (requirements vary by state). Master’s degree graduates can oversee the information systems work of a staff of health informatics professionals.
Earn credentials. Health informatics graduates can take the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) certification exam to become a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).

Average Salary and Career Data

The expected salary, career growth, and work environment in nursing informatics might include:

Job Prospects – Employment is expected to grow faster than average because health informatics professionals will continue to be needed to oversee the computerization of patient medical records, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Setting – Nurse informaticists find employment in hospitals, private practices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities as well as in outpatient care.

Job Duties and Responsibilities for a Nurse Informaticist

A nurse in the health informatics field is typically responsible for the following job responsibilities:

Ensuring the accuracy of patient’s records, reviewing for completeness and entering data into records, such as demographic information, history and treatment of disease, and diagnostic procedures.
Keeping up with current computer and software technology as well as legislative requirements for patient records security.
Creating information policies and procedures to ensure health care facilities run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Coordinating the implementation, design and maintenance of clinical information systems.
Working with IT to guarantee the effective integration of clinical systems with other institutional applications.