What is Nursing Informatics?

With the ever-changing technological advancements in all facets of healthcare, nursing informatics is an exciting field. This guide will explain the informatics profession and how it directly impacts health outcomes. We will also discuss education requirements, salary expectations, career outlook, and how to become an informatics nurse. 

Keep reading to learn how you can join this growing nursing specialty. 

Informatics nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who work at the intersection of technology and nursing. Nursing informatics is a nursing specialty combining nursing, communications, computer science, and information science knowledge.

Nurses who hold nursing informatics jobs use their clinical backgrounds alongside their computer and organizational skills. They analyze and develop the health systems nurses use in clinical settings. Some nursing informatics examples are electronic health records (EHRs), Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs), and Telehealth and Telemedicine. 

Here are some interesting statistics about nursing informatics from the 2020 HIMSS Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey:

• 20% of nurse informaticists have more than 20 years of clinical experience, compared with 30% in 2011
• 63% stated they earn a base annual salary between $61,000 and $115,000
• 66% increase in individuals with a master's degree 
• Certification took a significant jump from 49% in 2017 to 58% in 2020
• Nursing informaticists with a higher level of formal education have higher salaries
• Over two-thirds (68%) of respondents work for a hospital or multi-facility health system

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Nursing Informatics Jobs

There are many careers available for nursing informaticists. Some of the job titles they may hold are:

1. Chief Information Officers
2. Chief Nursing Officer
3. Clinical Analyst
4. Clinical Informatics Nurses
5. Clinical Specialist
6. Health Informatics Officer
7. Informatics Nurse
8. Nursing Informatics Specialists

Why Do We Need Informatics Nurses?

Nursing informaticists improve health systems which can improve health outcomes for patients. 

These nurses work to develop communications and information technology systems while also serving as educators, specialists, researchers, and software engineers. 

Now is a great time to become an informatics nurse because of the growing emphasis on controlling healthcare costs. Nursing informatics can help rein in healthcare costs at hospitals and other medical facilities. 

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Though the exact job description of an informatics nurse will vary by workplace, the American Medical Informatics Association reported that the core responsibilities of an informatics nurse include the following:

1. Advance public health by influencing healthcare policy
2. Contribute to the construction of an interoperable national data infrastructure
3. Encourage evidence-based best practices, education, and research efforts
4. Improve interpersonal workflow through communication and information technologies
5. Manage and create a vision for communication and information technology development, design, and implementation
6. Use methods of information retrieval and presentation to improve patient safety

Other responsibilities may include:

1. Develop information systems based on current evidence-based standards of care 
2. Ensure health information systems remain updated
3. Educate staff on changes to electronic health records
4. Manage the transition from paper charting to electronic medical charting
5. Work with policymakers/government agencies to ensure laws support healthcare technology
6. Work with policymakers/government agencies to ensure laws are compatible with provider and patient needs

Since their responsibilities don't include patient care, nursing informatics is considered one of the easiest nursing jobs. However, while non-bedside duties reduce stress, informatics nurses may still have demanding hours. Still, they stay off their feet and don't have to navigate the physical and emotional demands of direct patient care.

Skills Needed for a Career in Nursing Informatics

1. Communication
2. Computer programming
3. Critical thinking & problem-solving
4. Interpersonal skills like empathy and conflict resolution
5. Knowledge of health data systems
6. Project management

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RNs earn a median annual salary of $81,220 per year or $39.05 per hour, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. However, the BLS doesn't separate nursing informatics salaries from other RNs. Reported informatics nurse salaries vary widely across different platforms. 

For example, Glassdoor data reveals an average annual median salary of $155,231 for informatics RNs. Yet, Payscale reports an average yearly wage of $83,780 or $36.63/hr. 

Moreover, the HIMSS 2020 Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey found that 49% of informatics nurses earn over $100,000 annually. That's up 4% since 2017 and 16% since 2014.

>> Related: Nursing Informatics Salary Guide

Highest Paying States for Informatics Nurses

ZipRecruiter found the highest annual salaries for informatics nurses in the following states:

• Wyoming - $107,978
• Arizona - $107,895
• Tennessee - $105,354
• New Jersey - $104,785
• Hawaii - $104,703

How to Increase Your Salary as an Informatics Nurse

Informatics RNs can earn a higher annual salary with increased years of experience. Glassdoor discloses nursing informatics annual salaries by years of experience as the following:

• Less than 1 year: $90,245
• 1-3 years: $94,018
• 4-6 years: $107,672
• 7-9 years: $119,960
• 10-14 years: $133,982
• 15 or more years: $145,103

Your earning potential as an informatics nurse also increases with continued education. Nurses in many health systems also get raises during annual employee performance reviews.

Furthermore, a nursing informatics certification will help you earn more as an informatics nurse. Many higher-paying nursing informatics jobs require you to hold this certification and have a few years of experience before considering your application.

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To become an informatics nurse, you'll need to complete the following steps:

1. Attend Nursing School

While some employers will hire tech-savvy BSN-prepared nurses for informaticist jobs, there is an increasing demand for nurse informaticists to have a master's of science in nursing degree (MSN). Some also earn their doctorate, though it isn't required.

ADN-prepared nurses can complete a BSN degree or enter an accelerated RN to MSN program to meet this nursing informatics requirement. Check out the top nursing informatics programs to get started on your education requirements.

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN

Become a registered nurse by passing the NCLEX-RN examination.

3. Gain Bedside Experience

Bedside experience is essential for informatics nurses because it allows them to understand the equipment and its uses within the organization. Furthermore, it will help the nurse become familiar with electronic medical record systems and their processes. 

4. Earn Your Certification

There are three nursing informatics certification options: RN-BC, CAHIMS, or CPHIMs. These credentials may help advance your career by showcasing your skills in healthcare technology and systems.

Informatics nurses are in demand, but the best jobs will still have some competition. Make your resume stand out with these tips for starting your nursing informatics career:

Become a Super User

Nurses comfortable with technology can become super-users within their clinical departments or facilities, gain expertise with new systems (such as EMRs and EHRs), and help to train and mentor other nurses who need support.

Such tech-savvy nurses can also volunteer for their employers' informatics departments and participate in studies, training, and research, exposing them to expert knowledge and skills. 

In this way, nurses can become more familiar with the tools of this specialty before starting a nursing informatics program.

Network

Networking should be central to getting to know other healthcare informatics experts. By networking with those who understand this career path, you can keep your finger on the pulse of crucial trends.

Informational interviews, a form of deep networking, can accelerate your process by allowing you to tap the knowledge of people in the know. Informational interviews can reveal recommendations for certifications, master's degree programs, best practices, and ways to improve your resume and marketability. 

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Informatics nurses most often work at healthcare organizations or technology companies. However, they can work in various locations, both onsite and remotely. Other organizations that hire informatics nurses include but aren't limited to:

• Ambulatory care centers
• Counseling centers
• Electronic medical record companies
• Government or military facilities
• Healthcare product companies
• Hospital or health systems
• Research facilities
• Schools or universities
• Urgent Care Clinics

As the role of the informatics nurse expands, so will the available work locations. 

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Opportunities for jobs in nursing informatics are exploding thanks to the use of electronic medical records and information technology in healthcare settings. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) in 2009 and the Patient Protection and Accountable Care Act (PPACA) in 2008 increased the need for technology-based nurses.

Responding to these trends, the Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses estimates that as many as 70,000 health informatics specialists will be required within the next few years. The BLS also projects that medical and health services managers will grow by 28% by 2032, indicating a steady growth and positive career outlook for informatics nurses.

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Like any other nurse, an informatics nurse must follow their state's guidelines for RN license renewal. In most states, this process includes applying for renewal, completing continuing education competencies, and paying a fee.

To know which standards you must meet for renewal, check with your state's board of nursing. You can also find a detailed analysis of RN continued education requirements here.

ANCC Nursing Informatics Certification Renewal

Informatics nurses have the additional responsibility of maintaining their RN-BC certification. The ANCC requires you to renew this credential every five years after completing specific continuing education requirements.

Check out these related articles and organizations to learn more about the nursing informatics profession.

Read next:

• Top Nursing Informatics Programs
• Nursing Informatics Salary

Check out these organizations:

• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• American Nursing Informatics Association
• Alliance for Nursing Informatics
• Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Inc.
• American Medical Informatics Association
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing

>> Show Me Nursing Informatics Programs

Informatics nurses with graduate degrees can easily become nurse administrators or nurse educators. Some who focus on information technology become chief information officers or information technology nursing advocates in their respective organizations. Some other related nursing specialties for informatics nurses include:

Research Nurses

Research nurses often work for colleges, universities, private organizations, or corporations. They use the scientific methods they learned in nursing education and practice to collect and analyze data. One of their most important roles is evaluating the impact informatics creates when it intervenes in health practices as well as outcomes.

Consumer Needs Consultants

Consumer needs consultants are RNs who help deliver health information to consumers via the internet and other electronic media. Informatics training is vital to address health promotion, patient-centered care, disease prevention, and self-care. These nurses also integrate consumer preferences into information systems, assess what is needed regarding health information, and improve programs such as telemedicine and telemonitoring.

Public Health Nurses

Public health informatics is an emerging field with many opportunities. Public health nurses can use an informatics background to collect and analyze epidemiology information for the public, other healthcare professionals, and policymakers. Among practical applications are maintaining immunization registries and public health surveillance systems. 

Nursing informatics incorporates knowledge of multiple disciplines. As an informatics nurse, you'll impact patients, the public, and healthcare professionals. Candidates with a mix of nursing, information technology, communication, and organizational skills are in high demand for jobs in this field.

There's no doubt informatics is here to stay. Nurses who love computers, information systems, and data management would be wise to plug into this specialty and leverage those skills and experiences for an exciting and well-paying nursing career.

• How much do informatics nurses make?

  • Informatics nurses earn a median annual salary of $96,190 a year, according to Salary.com data.

• What are Nursing Informatics skills?

  • An informatics nurse must have strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. They should also have technical training in programming to work with different health data systems and electronic medical records.  

• Can an informatics nurse work from home?

  • Yes, they can. Historically, informatics nurses don't work from home. But career field shifts over the past few years have created fully remote and hybrid positions for informatics nurses nationwide.

RN $70,000 - $90,000 Bachelors Masters Informatics Non-Bedside