Online MSN: Nursing Informatics
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Only 36 credit hours are required to earn the MSN in Nursing Informatics.
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Competitive in-state tuition — even for some out-of-state students. Complete the program online from anywhere.
Improve patient care and outcomes through the development, implementation, and evaluation of information technology. Increasing demand for the adoption of electronic information systems is creating a growing need for nursing informaticians in health care organizations and in businesses that develop and sell health care information technology.
Program Snapshot
Length
As little as 2 years
Format
Online
Tuition and Fees View overview
In State Tuition: $873.00/credit
Out of State Tuition: $1,549.00/credit
Out of State Tuition: $1,549.00/credit
Credits
36
Accreditation Read Details
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
New Curriculum Starting Fall 2024
The new competency-based MSN-NI curriculum, which will apply to students entering fall 2024 or later, will place greater emphasis on the NI role, artificial intelligence, and big data. Other content will provide a nursing leadership and management core specific to evidence-based practice, biostatistics, and professional writing. By increasing the overall practice hours from 135 to 500, the revised curriculum will provide greater clarity for expectations of applicants, graduates, stakeholders, and a more disciplined approach to nursing education.
What is nursing informatics?
According to the American Nurses Association, nursing informatics is a "specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple information management and analytical sciences to identify, define, manage, and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. [It] supports nurses, consumers, patients, the interprofessional health care team, and other stakeholders in their decision-making in all roles and settings to achieve desired outcomes. This support is accomplished through the use of information structures, information processes, and information technology."
-Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Edition, ANA 2015
Our Master of Science in Nursing graduates have stellar reputations in the health care informatics job market and are in high demand; they have gone on to work in hospital settings or for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies as:
- systems analysts
- clinical data analysts
- clinical informatics experts
- health care and business executives
- consultants
- business owners
- faculty members
- and more.
The American Medical Informatics Association estimates that up to 70,000 health informatics specialists will be needed in the next few years. A national nursing informatics workforce survey by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society found that half of nursing informaticians earn an annual salary of more than $100,000.
The nursing informatics field is progressive, constantly changing, and has a significant impact on the future of the health care industry and beyond.
Live in one of the yellow states? You may be eligible to pay Maryland in-state tuition for this program.
Through an agreement with the Academic Common Market, you may be eligible to pursue this Master of Science in Nursing degree at UMSON at an in-state tuition rate. You'll complete the program online, and our faculty will help place you at a practicum site convenient to you.
How the Program Works
- The program requires 36 credits and 500 practicum hours.
- Full-time and part-time plans of study are available.
- Complete this program in as little as two years (five semesters).
- You can get started on this Master of Science in Nursing degree while you gain experience in the field. Take 1-2 online courses as you work full time to get a jump-start on your education and your career.
Flexible learning from anywhere:
- This Nursing Informatics program can be completed entirely online.
- Your advisor will develop an individualized plan of study that fits your schedule.
- Advisors can connect with you via email, telephone, Skype, or in person.
- For the required practicum, you and your practicum instructor will arrange a mutually agreeable site in a location convenient to you.
- If you reside in a state belonging to the Southern Regional Education Board, you may be eligible for in-state tuition rates (see the sidebar for more information).
Free Exam Preparation
As an UMSON student, you can take part in online Nursing Informatics Certification Review Workshops – at no cost to you. These faculty-led workshops will prepare you for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nurse Informatics Certification Exam.
"... I successfully passed my board certification on the first attempt! Thank you so much for the prep course and an excellent master’s program. It made me more than prepared for the exam!"
- Davis Mitchell Darsch, MS '19
What You’ll Learn
As a student in the nursing informatics specialty, you will be able to:
- analyze nursing information requirements
- manage information technology
- apply principles of data management and databased systems
- evaluate the effectiveness of health informatics products and practices
- develop technology and informatics solutions
You will also be prepared to be a leader in the conceptualization, design, and research of digital information systems in health care organizations and in the informatics industry.
What You’ll Do
- Upon graduation, you will be an Nurse Informatics Specialist.
- Your unique qualifications as a nurse and an informatician will allow you to connect interdisciplinary health care teams and serve as a leader in health IT teams.
- Your role could involve developing, deploying, and optimizing health care information systems; leveraging health care data to improve quality and safety of patient care; enhancing clinician workflow; and helping to lower health care costs.
Our nursing informatics graduates work in many areas:
- The majority work in hospital settings.
- Many work for health IT vendors and health care analytics fields.
- They also work for federal agencies – such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services –or for consulting firms.
- Many experienced Informatics Nurse Specialists have their own businesses and consult with various health care sectors, such as the Department of Defense.
- And many either become an educator or incorporate teaching into their professional careers.
Many of our students are hired as informaticians while they are still in the program, especially by their practicum sites.
More Information About the Nursing Informatics Specialty:
Courses You'll Take
For financial aid purposes, there are credit minimums for full-time status that may differ from the plans of study. See details.
The Nursing Informatics master's specialty requires:
- 36 credits *For Fall 2024 and Later
- 500 practicum hours *For Fall 2024 and Later
In this section:
Sample Plans of Study
- Full-Time Study - Spring Matriculation *Spring 2024
- Part-Time Study - Spring Matriculation *Spring 2024
- Full-Time Study - Fall Matriculation *For Fall 2024 and Later
- Full-Time Study - Spring Matriculation *For Fall 2024 and Later
- Part-Time Study - Fall Matriculation *For Fall 2024 and Later
- Part-Time Study - Spring Matriculation *For Fall 2024 and Later
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 780 |
Health Promotion and Population Health |
3 |
| NRSG 790 |
Methods for Research and Evidence Based Practice |
3 |
| NURS 691 |
Organizational Theory: Application to Health Services Management |
3 |
| Second Semester (Summer) |
||
| NRSG 782 | Health Systems and Health Policy: Leadership and Quality Improvement | 3 |
| Third Semester (Fall) |
||
| NURS 690 | Managerial Health Finance | 3 |
| NURS 736 | Technology Solutions for Generating Knowledge in Health Care | 3 |
| NRSG 795 | Biostatistics for Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| Fourth Semester (Spring) |
||
| NURS 785 | Health Care Database Systems | 3 |
| NURS 786 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| Fifth Semester (Summer) |
||
| NURS 770 | Human-Technology Interaction in Health Care | 3 |
| Sixth Semester (Fall) |
||
| NURS 737* | Nursing Informatics Concepts and Practice in Systems Adoption | 3 |
| NURS 784 | Information Technology Project Management | 3 |
| Seventh Semester (Spring) |
||
| NURS 738* | Practicum in Nursing Informatics | 4 |
| Total Credits | 40 |
*Denotes courses that must be taken in this specialty. No waivers or transfer credits accepted.
Sample Plan of Part-Time Study - Spring Matriculation *Spring 2024
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 780 | Health Promotion and Population Health | 3 |
| NRSG 790 |
Methods for Research and Evidence Based Practice |
3 |
| Second Semester (Summer) |
||
| NRSG 782 |
Health Systems and Health Policy: Leadership and Quality Improvement |
3 |
| Third Semester (Fall) |
||
| NRSG 795 |
Biostatistics for Evidence Based Practice |
3 |
| NURS 736 |
Technology Solutions for Generating Knowledge in Health Care |
3 |
|
Fourth Semester |
||
| NURS 690 | Managerial Health Finance | 3 |
| NURS 786 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| Fifth Semester (Summer) |
||
| NURS 785 | Health Care Database Systems | 3 |
| Sixth Semester (Fall) |
||
| NURS 737* |
Nursing Informatics Concepts and Practice in Systems Adoption |
3 |
| NURS 784 |
Information Technology Project Management |
3 |
| Seventh Semester (Spring) |
||
| NURS 738* |
Practicum in Nursing Informatics |
4 |
| NURS 691 |
Organizational Theory: Application to Health Services Management |
3 |
| Eighth Semester (Summer) |
||
|
NURS 770 |
Human- Technology Interaction in Healthcare |
3 |
| Total Credits | 40 |
* Denotes courses that must be taken in this program. No waivers or transfer credits accepted
** Advisor’s permission required to take NURS 770 after the completion of NURS 738
| Course | Title | Credits (Practice Hours) |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Fall) |
||
| NRSG 784 |
Evaluating the Evidence Including Statistical Interpretation |
3 (10) |
| NRSG 780 |
Health Promotion and Population Health |
3 |
| NRSG 781 |
Essentials in Healthcare Informatics* |
3 (10) |
| Second Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 782 |
Health Systems and Health Policy: Leadership and Quality Improvement |
3 |
| NRSG 687 |
Organizational and Systems Leadership in Health Care |
3 (50) |
| NRSG 787 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 (45) |
| Third Semester (Summer) |
||
| NRSG 783 |
Health Care Database Systems |
3 (45) |
| Fourth Semester (Fall) |
||
| NRSG 785 | Professional Writing | 1 |
| NRSG 786 |
Artificial Intelligence and Big Data |
2 |
| NRSG 789 |
Project Management for Health Care Information and Communication Technology |
3 (45) |
| NRSG 737 |
Practicum in Nursing and Health Informatics I*** |
3 (135) |
| Fifth Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 739 |
Practicum in Nursing and Health Informatics II**** |
3 (135) |
| NRSG 685 |
Financial Management for Nurse Leaders** |
3 (25) |
| Total Credits | 36 (500 practice hours) |
*NRSG 784 is Prerequisite or Corequisite to NRSG 781
**NRSG 687 Prerequisite or Corequisite to NRSG 685
***NRSG 737 Prerequisites = NRSG 784, NRSG780, NRSG782, NRSG785, NRSG 781, NRSG 783, NRSG 787
****NRSG 739 Prerequisites = NRSG 784, NRSG780, NRSG782, NRSG785, NRSG 781, NRSG 783, NRSG 787, NRSG 737
Sample Plan of Full-Time Study - Spring Matriculation *Fall 2024 and Later
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 784 | Evaluating the Evidence Including Statistical Interpretation | 3 (10) |
| NRSG 780 |
Health Promotion and Population Health |
3 |
| NRSG 781 |
Essentials in Healthcare Informatics* |
3 (10) |
| Second Semester (Summer) |
||
| NRSG 785 | Professional Writing | 1 |
| NRSG 783 | Health Care Database Systems | 3 (45) |
| Third Semester (Fall) |
||
| NRSG 687 | Organizational and Systems Leadership in Health Care | 3 (50) |
| NRSG 685 | Financial Management for Nurse Leaders** | 3 (25) |
| NRSG 786 | Artificial Intelligence and Big Data | 2 |
| Fourth Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 787 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 (45) |
| NRSG 782 | Health Systems and Health Policy: Leadership and Quality Improvement | 3 |
| Fifth Semester (Fall) |
||
| NRSG 789 | Project Management for Health Care Information and Communication Technology | 3 (45) |
| NRSG 737 | Practicum in Nursing and Health Informatics I*** | 3 (135) |
| Sixth Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 739 | Practicum in Nursing and Health Informatics II**** | 3 (135) |
| Total Credits | 36 (500 practice hours) |
*NRSG 784 is Prerequisite or Corequisite to NRSG 781
**NRSG 687 Prerequisite or Corequisite to NRSG 685
***NRSG 737 Prerequisites = NRSG 784, NRSG780, NRSG782, NRSG785, NRSG 781, NRSG 783, NRSG 787
****NRSG 739 Prerequisites = NRSG 784, NRSG780, NRSG782, NRSG785, NRSG 781, NRSG 783, NRSG 787, NRSG 737
Sample Plan of Part-Time Study - Fall Matriculation *Fall 2024 and Later
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Fall) |
||
| NRSG 784 |
Evaluating the Evidence Including Statistical Interpretation |
3 (10) |
| NRSG 782 |
Health Systems and Health Policy: Leadership and Quality Improvement |
3 |
| Second Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 780 |
Health Promotion and Population Health |
3 |
| NRSG 781 |
Essentials in Healthcare Informatics* |
3 (10) |
| Third Semester (Summer) |
||
| NRSG 785 |
Professional Writing |
1 |
| Fourth Semester (Fall) |
||
| NRSG 687 | Organizational and Systems Leadership in Health Care | 3 (50) |
| NRSG 786 |
Artificial Intelligence and Big Data |
2 |
| Fifth Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 685 | Financial Management for Nurse Leaders** | 3 (25) |
| NRSG 787 |
Systems Analysis and Design |
3 (45) |
| Sixth Semester (Summer) |
||
| NRSG 783 | Health Care Database Systems | 3 (45) |
| Seventh Semester (Fall) |
||
| NRSG 789 |
Project Management for Health Care Information and Communication Technology |
3 (45) |
| NRSG 737 |
Practicum in Nursing and Health Informatics I*** |
3 (135) |
| Eighth Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 739 |
Practicum in Nursing and Health Informatics II**** |
3 (135) |
| Total Credits | 36 (500 practice hours) |
*NRSG 784 is Prerequisite or Corequisite to NRSG 781
**NRSG 687 Prerequisite or Corequisite to NRSG 685
***NRSG 737 Prerequisites = NRSG 784, NRSG780, NRSG782, NRSG785, NRSG 781, NRSG 783, NRSG 787
****NRSG 739 Prerequisites = NRSG 784, NRSG780, NRSG782, NRSG785, NRSG 781, NRSG 783, NRSG 787, NRSG 737
Sample Plan of Part-Time Study - Spring Matriculation *Fall 2024 and Later
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 784 | Evaluating the Evidence Including Statistical Interpretation | 3 (10) |
| NRSG 782 |
Health Systems and Health Policy: Leadership and Quality Improvement |
3 |
| Second Semester (Summer) |
||
| NRSG 785 |
Professional Writing |
1 |
| NRSG 780 |
Health Promotion and Population Health |
3 |
| Third Semester (Fall) |
||
| NRSG 781 |
Essentials in Health Care Informatics* |
3 (10) |
| NRSG 786 |
Artificial Intelligence and Big Data |
2 |
|
Fourth Semester |
||
| NRSG 787 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 (45) |
| NRSG 687 | Organizational and Systems Leadership in Health Care | 3 (50) |
| Fifth Semester (Summer) |
||
| NRSG 783 | Health Care Database Systems | 3 (45) |
| Sixth Semester (Fall) |
||
| NRSG 789 |
Project Management for Health Care Information and Communication Technology |
3 (45) |
| NRSG 737 |
Practicum in Nursing and Health Informatics I*** |
3 (135) |
| Seventh Semester (Spring) |
||
| NRSG 685 |
Financial Management for Nurse Leaders** |
3 (25) |
| NRSG 739 |
Practicum in Nursing and Health Informatics II**** |
3 (135) |
| Total Credits | 36 (500 practice hours) |
*NRSG 784 is Prerequisite or Corequisite to NRSG 781
**NRSG 687 Prerequisite or Corequisite to NRSG 685
***NRSG 737 Prerequisites = NRSG 784, NRSG780, NRSG782, NRSG785, NRSG 781, NRSG 783, NRSG 787
****NRSG 739 Prerequisites = NRSG 784, NRSG780, NRSG782, NRSG785, NRSG 781, NRSG 783, NRSG 787, NRSG 737
Program Outcomes
An MSN Nursing Informatics graduate will:
- Demonstrate leadership, new knowledge, and skills using informatics and industry tools to assess, design, develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of health informatics products and practices.
- Have essential knowledge and skills in information and communication technology to provide care for patients, communities, and populations at the advanced practice level.
- Apply principles of data management and databased systems to generate information, knowledge, and wisdom to improve outcomes for patients’ communities and populations.
- Contribute to the evidence base of informatics through scholarly work such as scholarly papers, posters, and presentations.
- Integrate concepts of information management, health policy, social determinants of health and patient care technologies to support health equity in diverse populations through a variety of practice projects.
- Analyze and apply current standards and policies impacting the practice of the informatics specialists through participation in clinical leadership and nursing informatics specialty organizations.
- Envision, identify, develop, and evaluate technology and informatics solutions for problems using innovative approaches.
*As of Fall 2024
Scholarship Opportunities
Your nursing education is an important investment. Financial aid and scholarships can help make your goals a reality.
UMSON offers multiple opportunities to help you afford your graduate education.
| Type of Aid | Award |
|---|---|
| Federal Financial Aid | various award amounts |
| Maryland Financial Aid | various award amounts |
| Merit Scholarships | $1,500-$3,000 per semester (You are automatically considered for a merit scholarship upon submitting a completed application for enrollment in an UMSON academic program.) |
| Donor-Funded Scholarships | $500-2,000 per semester (offered during the fall and spring semesters) |
| Conway Scholarship | full scholarship: tuition and fees (for those who will have completed 9 credit hours of graduate study by the start of the semester for which the Conway Scholarship is awarded and who have at least half of their credit hours remaining) |
| Graduate Assistantships | stipend, tuition remission, in-state status, and paid student health insurance |
Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships
All students receiving funds through the University must:
- be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in a degree-seeking program
- complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMB's award priority deadline
- FAFSA Submission period: Oct. 1 (of the previous year) through Feb. 28
- FAFSA School code: 002104
The UMB Office of Student Financial Assistance & Education is available to guide prospective and current students through the FAFSA application process and the financial aid award package.
Contact Us:
UMSON Scholarships and Grants Office
410-706-0489 | nrsscholarships@umaryland.edu
UMB Student Financial Assistance and Education Office
410-706-7347 | aidtalk@umaryland.edu
MSN Admission Information
In this section:
- Deadlines
- Qualifications
- Application Materials and Instructions
- Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S
Deadline:
For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to have all required application materials submitted by the respective deadlines to ensure your application is considered for admission and scholarships.
| Spring 2025 Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Regular Deadline/Deadline for UMSON Scholarship Consideration | Dec. 15, 2024 Completed applications received after this deadline are reviewed solely on a space-available basis. Only applicants who apply by this deadline will be eligible for consideration for merit scholarships (no additional application required). Federal financial aid eligibility is not impacted by this deadline. |
| Final Deadline | Jan. 5, 2025 All applications and supplemental documents must be received by this date. Incomplete applications after this deadline will be canceled. |
| Fall 2025 Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Regular Deadline/Deadline for UMSON Scholarship Consideration | July 15, 2025 Completed applications received after this deadline are reviewed solely on a space-available basis. Only applicants who apply by this deadline will be eligible for consideration for merit scholarships (no additional application required) and the Conway Scholarship (additional application required). Federal financial aid eligibility is not impacted by this deadline. |
| Final Deadline | Aug. 5, 2025 All applications and supplemental documents must be received by this date. Incomplete applications after this deadline will be canceled. |
Should the deadline fall on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted through the subsequent business day.
Qualifications:
- bachelor’s degree with a major in nursing from:
- an ACEN- (formally known as NLNAC), CCNE- or NLN CNEA- accredited college or university
or - an equivalent degree from a comparable foreign institution
- an ACEN- (formally known as NLNAC), CCNE- or NLN CNEA- accredited college or university
- an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
Application Materials:
|
Materials |
Submission Guidelines |
| Online Application and non-refundable $75 application fee. |
Start your application now via the Admissions Dashboard. The Admissions Dashboard is where you will:
|
| One recommendation. Your recommendation must come from a recent professional source. Only the first recommendation received will be considered. | Submit/request these materials via the Admissions Dashboard. |
Essay. Please submit a 500-1,000-word essay that addresses the following:
|
|
| Typed résumé or CV. Be sure to include your full name with your résumé submission. | |
| A copy of your valid, unrestricted (current) RN license in the United States. For a current list of compact states, see the Maryland Board of Nursing website; if you hold an active Maryland RN license, send us a copy of your printable license verification, available on the Maryland Board of Nursing website. | |
|
Official transcripts. An official transcript from every institution previously attended or currently attending must be submitted in a sealed envelope, as prepared by the sending institution. Returning students are not required to submit UMSON transcripts; we will upload a copy of your UMSON transcript to your application. Please note that UMSON is listed two ways in the Academics area. Please make sure you choose one of the following:
|
Have each institution submit electronically to admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu.
|
| Residency classification. Applicants who are claiming in-state (Maryland) residency MUST apply for in-state status. | Complete a residency application and submit it either by mail, e-mail, or fax to the Office of the Registrar using the instructions supplied at the bottom of the residency application. The completed application, signed and dated, should be submitted prior to the first day of enrollment for the term and program for which you are seeking admission. |
Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S:
- If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
- If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.
The Health Service Leadership management and Nursing Informatics master's specialties are not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore due to the amount of online courses.
If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.
Additional Resources
Information packets
Packet for Prospective Nursing Informatics Students (PDF)
Packet for New Nursing Informatics Students (PDF)
Careers
Careers in Nursing Informatics: The Future is Now!
Nursing Informatics-Related Events/Webinars
Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics Conference
Big Ten Academic Alliance Nursing Informatics Collaborative Webinar Series
Save Time and Money
If you're currently a registered nurse with an associate degree, you can save 6 credits (one full semester) when you enroll in UMSON's RN-to-MSN, an accelerated path to both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and this MSN specialty.
Further Your Education
- DNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice: customize a practice-focused doctorate in nursing informatics with the Post-Master’s option
- PhD: Doctor of Philosophy: generate new knowledge in health care and nursing informatics (and advance the field)
Additionally, UMSON’s Nursing Informatics Certificate is for nurses in an UMSON graduate program or with a master's degree in another specialty area or field who are looking to gain essential knowledge and skills in nursing and health care informatics.
UMSON is also home of the annual Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics Conference.
This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, due to the amount of online courses.
Upcoming Admissions Events
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