An informatics nurse specialist combines clinical expertise with information technology skills to develop, implement and optimize health care technologies, such as electronic health records. Their goal is to leverage data-driven insights to improve care delivery and patient outcomes. A nursing degree and RN license are required for this career.
Nursing informatics combines information technology and information science with nursing science. This complex nursing specialty uses raw data to provide insights that support better decisions and, ultimately, better patient outcomes. If you enjoy a high‑tech career in nursing, consider becoming an informatics nurse specialist.
Even if you aren’t currently a registered nurse (RN), it’s possible to earn a nursing degree quickly with Marquette University’s Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DE-MSN) program. Within five or eight semesters, depending on the program format, you could earn an MSN and graduate ready to take the NCLEX-RN. Then, you can pursue a career as a nurse informatics specialist.
Before getting started, learn more about nursing informatics and what these specialists do. Explore the growing demand for informatics specialists and the skills needed. Then, take a look at the career pathway to learn how to become an informatics nurse.
What Is an Informatics Nurse Specialist?
An informatics nurse specialist, also called a nurse informaticist, is a registered nurse who works with health care technology. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), informatics in nursing is the integration of nursing science, computer science and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge and wisdom in nursing practice. Informatics nurse specialists combine their clinical experience with information technology expertise to develop, implement, improve and maintain health care technologies that support the delivery of care.
Their work matters because the health care industry generates huge amounts of data. Nurse informaticists collect that data and turn it into actionable insights to improve the delivery of care, boost efficiency in health care operations and support more appropriate clinical decision‑making.
What Does a Nurse Informatics Specialist Do?
The specific tasks of a nurse informatics specialist can vary, depending on the needs of their organization. For example, a public health nurse might focus on data pertaining to disease outbreaks. Other informaticists may specialize in nursing research informatics, where they might evaluate new treatments.
In general, however, some typical responsibilities for a nurse informatics specialist can include:
- Analyze clinical data to identify areas of improvement
- Customize and improve electronic health records (EHR) systems
- Ensure that all health information systems comply with HIPAA and other regulatory requirements
- Evaluate the needs of clinicians and determine how to adjust health care technologies accordingly
- Implement training programs for staff
Learn whether it’s possible to earn a nursing degree online.
Why Nursing Informatics Is Growing in Demand
Nursing has become an increasingly high-tech, data-driven field. Integrating technology into nursing can:
- Enable better clinical decision-making
- Improve operational efficiency by optimizing workflows and automating certain tasks
- Support the flow of information across departments and facilities
In short, nursing informatics helps clinicians perform their jobs well, which can improve patient outcomes. Because of this, nursing informatics is a growing specialty that can be an ideal choice for those interested in health care technology.
Skills Needed to Succeed as an Informatics Nurse Specialist
Nurse informatics specialists need a strong clinical background. Nursing knowledge and clinical skills help them refine health care technologies to better meet the needs of clinicians at the bedside.
In addition, the following skills are helpful for this nursing specialty:
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Data analytics
- Information technology skills
- Knowledge of patient privacy regulations
- Problem-solving skills
- Project management
How to Become an Informatics Nurse Specialist
If you’re curious about pursuing a career in this nursing specialty, you’ll first need to earn a nursing degree and become an RN.
Earn a Nursing Degree
It isn’t necessary to earn a nursing informatics degree, although you will need a nursing degree that leads to licensure. Marquette University’s Direct Entry MSN is designed for non-nurses who wish to transition to an RN career, such as nursing informatics. Our program curriculum combines coursework, including a course on informatics, technology, and professional issues, with hands-on clinical learning experiences to prepare students for nursing practice.
Obtain a Nursing License
After earning your nursing degree, you can schedule your NCLEX-RN test date. Passing this licensure exam is necessary to work as a registered nurse. The Direct Entry MSN program prepares students to take the exam, but you should also dedicate time studying for it.
Gain Clinical Nursing Experience
After obtaining RN licensure, gain clinical nursing experience at the bedside. Consider choosing a nursing specialty that enables you to develop broad, foundational nursing expertise working with a variety of patients and cases, such as medical-surgical nursing.
Pursue Continuing Education in Informatics
After gaining at least a year or two of clinical experience at the bedside, you can pursue continuing education in nursing informatics. When you complete continuing education credits to maintain your license, you can look for courses in informatics.
Discover how you can prepare to enroll in a master’s in nursing.
Earn an Informatics Nurse Certification
Informatics nurse specialists can choose to pursue certification. One option is the Informatics Nursing Certification (NI-BC), offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Professional certification may enhance job opportunities by demonstrating expertise.
Explore Specialized Nursing Informatics Roles
Nursing informatics is a rapidly evolving practice area, with the potential for specialized roles. Job titles vary from one organization to the next, but a clinical nurse informaticist focuses on the day-to-day implementation and use of health care technology at the bedside. They may work closely with clinicians to ensure the technology aligns with their needs.
Other nurse informaticists may specialize in training staff members on the proper usage of health care technologies, such as EHRs. Meanwhile, informatics consultants may travel to different health care facilities to evaluate their data systems and recommend improvements. Other informatics specialist roles include:
- Bedside informaticist: Works on day‑to‑day technology implementation and usage at the bedside
- Educator or trainer: Teaches nurses and staff how to use health care technology
- Industry specialist: Develops new technologies for health care technology companies
- Informatics consultant: Evaluates data systems and recommends improvements
Nursing Informatics Salary and Career Outlook
Nurse informaticists and other types of RNs enjoy strong earnings expectations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs made a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024. The projected job growth rate for RNs is 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all professions. This indicates that health care employers are projected to hire about 166,100 new nurses during this time.
Although the BLS doesn’t offer salary data or job growth projections for nurse informaticists specifically, these general statistics may offer insight as to what RNs can expect.
Become an Informatics Nurse Specialist with an MSN at Marquette University
At Marquette University, you can pursue a career in nursing sooner with our five or eight semester Direct Entry MSN. You don’t need health care experience to apply. You may be eligible if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
At Marquette University, you’ll benefit from our faith-based education that prioritizes advocacy for the vulnerable. Choose between the Direct Entry MSN program site in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, which offers predominantly online coursework with in-person labs, simulations and clinical rotations, or our main Milwaukee campus, which offers a predominantly in-person format.
Request information and connect with an admissions adviser today to learn more and get started.