How to Become a Nursing Informaticist

Over the past few decades, patient information has shifted from paper files to complex computer programs. Most hospitals use computerized charting systems that can provide clues for more efficient systems and better patient care. Nursing informaticists, also known as nurse informaticists, combine their clinical knowledge and technical skills to sift through patient health records, identify trends, and plot out policy changes based on their results.

Become a Nursing Informaticist in 5 Steps

To become a nursing informaticist, candidates must first become registered nurses (RNs). While not mandatory, they can pursue higher education, licensing, and certification in their specialty.

Schooling Requirements for Nursing Informaticists

Nursing informaticists may work as RNs, or they may pursue advanced degrees, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). While most positions don’t require high-level degrees, they may offer higher compensation and more opportunities for professional advancement.

Associate Degree in Nursing

An Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is the quickest option to become a nurse informaticist with no previous university education. ADN degrees can take 18 months to two years to complete and may require some prerequisites before an application can be accepted.

*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Central New Mexico Community College, Teaching and Learning in Nursing

Nurse informaticists with an ADN may receive lower pay and may not have their first choice of positions compared to a nurse informaticist with a BSN. However, the nursing shortage ensures a large pool of work for nurses with ADNs.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives future nurses a more well-rounded education experience than an ADN. Typically done over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works, but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.

*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Forbes Advisor, Teaching and Learning in Nursing, National Council of State Boards of Nursing

A BSN prepares future nurse informaticists to handle a high level of critical thinking. Where an ADN focuses on preparing future nurses quickly for clinical situations, a BSN adds higher-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.

Master of Science in Nursing

A Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN, can be earned in two years, but many students continue to work throughout the program, which increases time to completion.

*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Maryville University, University of Pennsylvania, Case Western Reserve University, AACN

Doctor of Nursing Practice

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest level of education a nurse can achieve. This program takes longer than an MSN, but may offer higher salaries and more opportunities.

Sources: Maryville University, University of California Davis, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (PDF)

Nursing Informaticist Credentials

A nurse informaticist can find work with an RN license, but additional certifications and education may offer more opportunities. A specialty informatics nursing certification from the ANCC adds the title RN-BC behind a nurse’s name. If a nurse pursues higher education, their credentials may include an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) or a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice), each of which involves its own licensing process.

Where Do Nursing Informaticists Work?

The vast majority of nursing informaticists work in hospitals or for health systems, but other opportunities can be found in:

• Insurance companies
• Government/military organizations
• Long-term care facilities
• Ambulatory care
• Academics

Nurses in this field work more with the IT department than with patients or other healthcare professionals on the units. As a “desk job,” nursing informatics offers an opportunity to work from home, and almost 80 percent of nurses in this specialty work remotely at least one day of the week.

Wherever they work, nursing informaticists’ day-to-day looks much the same. Some employers may require more employee education based on their data, but most days will be filled with data analysis and reporting.

Nursing Informaticist Job Outlook

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide a specific job outlook for nursing informaticists, the Medical and Health Services Managers category comes the closest, and they project a 28% growth in this field through 2032: much higher than average. The insights from data managed by nursing informaticists offers value to any health organization, and their demand is on the rise.

FAQs: How to Become a Nursing Informaticist

   1. What does a nursing informaticist do?

Nursing informaticists combine their clinical knowledge and technical skills to sift through patient health records, identify trends, and plot out policy changes based on their results.

   2. What do most nursing informaticists make an hour?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t report specific salary data for nursing informaticists, but ZipRecruiter shows these professionals earn an average of $47.31 per hour, which equals $98,409 annually.

   3. What’s the fastest you can become a nursing informaticist?

The fastest path to becoming a nursing informaticist is by earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which takes about two years. However, many nursing informaticist positions require RNs to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which may take up to four years to complete.