Nursing Informatics

Two Ways to Learn

Choose the learning path that fits your life and experience. Here are the two ways to earn your degree:

^*May not be available for all programs

Choose the Path That Is Right for You

BSN to MSN Course Based

Curriculum

Degree Completion Requirements

• 53 total quarter credits
  • Core courses (23 cr.)
  • Specialization courses (30 cr.)
  • Capstone course (5 cr.)

This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.

Courses

Show Course Descriptions

Course Code	Title	Credits
	CORE COURSES
NURS 6002/6003	Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing Show In this course students are introduced to Walden University and online learning. Students explore strategies for the successful participation in an online curriculum. Students also will receive a foundation for academic and professional success as scholar-practitioners and social change agents. Course assignments introduce students to resources that support success, development of graduate-level writing skills and use of APA Style, academic integrity, and the creation of a professional development plan based on each student’s chosen specialization.	3 cr.
NURS 6050	Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health Show In today's rapidly changing healthcare delivery system, decisions made within the political arena impact the future of health delivery systems, healthcare professionals, and the populations they serve. In this course, students examine the policy process and its impact on healthcare delivery, cost, quality, and access. Students examine the importance of getting healthcare issues on federal and state agenda, investigate governmental response through legislation and regulation, and identify where they can advocate for positive outcomes in program/policy design, implementation, and evaluation. Global health issues are examined for their relevance and impact on the development of the nurse advocate. Through discussions, reflection, case studies, and the application of professional communications techniques as political tactics to influence policy outcomes, students demonstrate integration of policy decision-making into professional nurse practice for the benefit of individuals and populations.	(5 cr.)
NURS 6051	Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology Show Nursing informatics is essential to the provision of effective and efficient care. This course examines nursing informatics as a nursing competency and a nursing specialty. Students examine the role of the nurse informaticist in current practices related to the collection, access, and use of health information and knowledge, as well as the implementation of clinical systems. Through this course, students gain an understanding of how informatics is used to improve advanced nursing practice and healthcare outcomes across organizations, public health, and consumer health settings.	(5 cr.)
NURS 6052	Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice Show Nurses base practice on sound and tested evidence to ensure the safety, high quality, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. This course provides students the opportunity to gain a better understanding of evidence-based practice (EBP) and how it interacts and aligns with research and quality improvement. Students will examine how to use databases to discover evidence and how to apply their knowledge of research methodologies to critically appraise literature. They will also examine opportunities to strengthen their synthesis and integration skills to determine whether a change in practice is needed, based on a body of evidence. Through exploration of implementation, evaluation, and dissemination strategies, students will explore the intricacies of leading and mentoring change within an organization to enhance nursing practice.	(5 cr.)
NURS 6053	Interprofessional Organizational and Systems Leadership Show Students in this course will develop leadership skills to transform nursing and adapt organizations in response to the turbulent healthcare environment. They will develop and apply theory-based leadership competencies to create the organizational cultures needed to achieve quality patient outcomes. Students will also explore evidence-based strategies to create healthy work environments that empower nurses and build collaborative interprofessional teams.	(5 cr.)
	SPECIALIZATION COURSES
NURS 6401	Informatics in Nursing and Healthcare Show Nursing informatics is a rapidly evolving discipline that impacts all areas of nursing practice. Students in this course establish foundational knowledge for understanding and practicing nursing informatics in healthcare settings. Students increase their awareness of the innovative ways the informatics discipline is helping transform healthcare policies and procedures by appraising the many roles of nurse informaticists. Students explore models and theories that support nursing informatics and examine the use of information technology in support of decisions that promote safety and quality in patient-centered care. They also differentiate concerns about information protection and system integrity. Using concepts learned in the course, students engage in assignments through which they focus on healthcare applications, thus acquiring necessary skills to improve the management of healthcare through nursing informatics practice.	(5 cr.)
NURS 6412	Information and Knowledge Management Show Effectively managing healthcare data is essential to the practice of nursing informatics. In this course, students examine database systems including the concept of data modeling and techniques of data definition, data manipulation, and data analytics and visualization. Students explore concepts of information and knowledge management in the healthcare practice setting, including issues related to Big Data. Course assignments provide students with the opportunity to build essential skills to manage the lifecycle of data from how it is captured to how it is managed, stored, interpreted, and applied. Through this course, students have the opportunity to gain the skills needed to make informed decisions related to data management and the translation of data to improve patient care.	(5 cr.)
NURS 6421	Supporting Workflow in Healthcare Systems Show Nurses are at the center of care coordination for patients, and informatics nurses are central to the design and development of information systems that support workflow in nursing practice. This course examines the analysis, design, development, and implementation of electronic information systems in health care. Students compare, contrast, and critique methods of system design. Course assignments focus on workflow modeling in systems design, including assessment of current-state workflow and design of future-state workflow. Through this course, students have the opportunity to apply workflow design best practices to support the implementation and optimization of electronic health records.	(5 cr.)
NURS 6441	Project Management: Healthcare Information Technology Show Project management is the foundation of healthcare information technology and the implementation of electronic health records. In this course, students learn the foundational principles of health information technology project management and apply it to real-world experiences. Using project management software, students create a project management plan and schedule, and they control and close tasks related to a health informatics project. Through projects and applications, students build skills and confidence that support the implementation of healthcare information technology to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes.	(5 cr.)
NURS 6451	Evaluation Methods for Health Information Technology Show Healthcare policy, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009) and Meaningful Use demand that electronic documentation systems are interoperable, integrated, and effective. In this course, students explore the history, process, and methodology in evaluation of healthcare informatics. Through discussion of real-world practice that includes public health and community-based settings, students evaluate the impact of the implementation of information technology throughout the organization. Students create a plan for systems evaluation. Through individual applications, they build skills and confidence that support collaborative, interdisciplinary system evaluation plans to improve the effectiveness of care.	(5 cr.)
	CAPSTONE
NURS 6461	Capstone Synthesis Practicum Show Students in this course apply the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) curriculum experience by translating knowledge into practice through participation in professional activities and the development of a culminating project. Students apply theory, principles, and concepts related to their area of specialization in order to enhance nursing practice and promote positive social change.	(5 cr.)
VIEW ALL COURSES Less Courses

Tuition and Fees

Curriculum Component	Requirements	Cost	Total *
Tuition	53 total quarter credit hours	$450 per quarter hour	$23,850
Technology Fee	Per quarter	$160	$960
		TOTAL	$24,810
		Transfer up to 25 credits*	$11,730
		Total with Maximum Transfer Credits†	$13,080

The tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment specialist at 855-646-5286.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,500 to $2,000.

*Calculation based on students transferring in a combination of RN Foundational and MSN courses.

†Maximum transfer credit total includes reduction in technology fee as related to reduced number of courses over time.

BSN to MSN Tempo

RN to MSN Course Based

RN to MSN TEMPO

Admission Requirements

Program Admission Considerations (RN-MSN): Registered nurses who hold a hospital diploma, associate degree in nursing, or bachelor’s degree (other than BSN)

Program Admission Considerations (BSN-MSN): A bachelor's degree or higher.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts.

• The Technical Standards Policy & Clinical Site Acknowledgement Form with:
  • A statement of understanding of the MSN NP practicum requirements.
  • Identification of potential clinical sites in your local area for each of the four practicum requirement.
• Additional Walden admission criteria required. Contact an enrollment specialist for more details.

More information for international applicants.

Become a Nursing Leader in Information Technology

Data can provide the actionable insights healthcare professionals need to deliver the highest levels of patient care. In Walden’s MSN in Nursing Informatics program, you’ll prepare to become a nursing leader, capable of recognizing gaps in service and care for patients—and using information to make real-world improvements. Build communication and gain information technology skills to translate the needs of patient care providers to IT staff, as well as train and support nurses and providers with new technology software implementations.

Optional Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC) is offered through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Meet Your MSN in Nursing Education Academic Team

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this specialization, graduates will be prepared to:

What’s the Career Impact of Earning an MSN in Nursing Informatics?

Nursing informaticists are in demand. With the rise of electronic health records (EHRs)—and recent legislation that further promotes their use—healthcare institutions rely on nursing informatics professionals to help adopt and transition new and upgraded technologies into practice. Increased demand is also the result of a growing focus to drive down escalating healthcare costs. A thorough analysis of available data by a nursing informatics specialist can lead to targeted cost savings.²

According to Payscale.com, the average salary for a nursing informatics specialist in the U.S. was $84,693 in April 2020.³

Career options for nurse informaticists:⁴

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.