FUN FACT: Systems analysts must understand the business field they are working in. For example, a hospital may want an analyst with a thorough understanding of health plans and programs such as Medicare and Medicaid[ii]
Professionals who hold a Masters degree in nurse informatics are called informatics nurse specialists. Their role involves being able to develop and implement technologies and other tools in order to distribute medical information and make healthcare function effectively. As an informatics nurse specialist, your job involves identifying, collecting, processing and managing data and information to support nursing practice, administration, education, research and the expansion of nursing knowledge.
In addition, you may be prepared to:
- Leverage information technology on patient care systems
- Use data and statistical analysis to evaluate nursing practices
- Perform quality improvements
- Serve as liaison between healthcare practitioners and administrators
- Qualify to sit for the Nursing Informatics Board Certification
Potential Curriculum in Masters in Nursing Informatics Programs
In a Master's degree program students may learn how to manage information systems, identify technical requirements and determine the effectiveness of information systems.
Topics nursing informatics students typically learn might include:
- New or emerging technology in healthcare
- Organizational techniques
- Systems design
- Management information systems
- Healthcare ethics and laws
- Information system analysis
- Database design
- Information security techniques and tools
- Integration of nursing information systems
Potential careers for Nurse Informatics Graduates
According to O’Net, some of the job titles for Informatics Nurse Specialists include[iii]:
- Business Consultant, consultant
- Clinical Informatics, Clinical Informatics Director
- Clinical Applications Specialist
- Clinical Coordinator
- Clinical Informatics Specialist
- Clinical Informatics Strategist
- Clinical Information Systems Director
- Director Clinical Information Services
- Nursing Information Systems Coordinator
Interestingly, the career outlook for this profession is equated with Computer Systems Analysts, a field that is projected to have a 21% increase in employment between 2014 and 2024, and a median annual pay in 2014 of $82,710[iv]
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide details on specific employment prospects for nursing informatics professionals. It does indicate that employment for registered nurses in general is expected to grow 16% between 2014 and 2024; some nurse informatics specialists may be included in that statistic[v].
Moreover, as technology becomes increasingly involved in health care, those with training in nursing informatics may potentially be suited to pursue a variety of career opportunities in the field.
Ready To Pursue a Masters in Nurse Informatics Degree?
You may be approaching the study of nurse informatics as a way to specialize your career in nursing, or you may be an IT person who wants to enter the niche market of health informatics. Perhaps you aspire to potentially make a real difference in nursing care, administration, education and research, and it interests you to manage data and information. If so, why not start searching for a masters program in nursing Informatics on GradSchools.com today!
Sources: [i] amia.org/programs/working-groups/nursing-informatics [ii] bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts | [iii] onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1121.01 | [iv] bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts | [v] bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses
