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What Does Nursing Informatics Entail?

The American Nurses Association (ANA) reports nursing informatics "integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice." Sound complicated ? Well, it is. That's why nursing informatics degree programs are on the rise.

Simply put, nursing informatics specialists bring together the clinical nursing world and the information technology world. They analyze, implement, or design information systems for hospitals, clinics, and other health care settings. They manage computer technology and train staff to use the hospital's computer system.

Education & Training Required to Work in Nursing Informatics

According to a recent American Nursing Informatics Association (ANIA) survey, many nurses join the nursing informatics field with significant general clinical experience. Registered nurses (RNs) can join the informatics field through on-the-job training or through continuing education courses.

Graduate level study in this field is increasingly popular, and practicing nursing informatics at an expert level means completing a master's or PhD. Online degree programs in informatics are widely available, especially at the master's level.

Typical Characteristics Required to Work in Nursing Informatics

Anyone interested in a nursing informatics program must be tech savvy and comfortable with implementing or monitoring entire information systems in a health care setting.

But, nursing informatics specialists also serve as information technology liaisons. So, they are good at training others, explaining technology, and understanding big picture management needs. At a basic level, those in this field like to organize, manage data, and follow statistics.

High Demand for Nursing Informatics Specialists

As computers and computer systems play an ever larger role in health care, hospitals and clinics will need more specialists to to help usher new technology into the nursing setting. That makes nursing informatics an excellent opportunity for career advancement in a niche.