Nursing informatics is becoming an increasingly popular career choice. Registered nurses (RNs) who wish to step outside the scope of direct patient care and take on a more data-driven, behind-the-scenes role may choose to become an informatics nurse.

What is an Informatics Nurse?

An informatics nurse is a specialized role that combines nursing, technology, and information sciences. Specifically, an informatics nurse uses statistics and technology to determine what is working in a healthcare setting, and what needs to be improved, in order to provide the best-quality patient care.

The term “informatics nursing” is used to describe the integration of healthcare data and analytical sciences into one career field. Informatics nurses work hard to assess, manage, and communicate data in ways that can be used to improve healthcare environments.

For example, informatics nurses can be found developing or implementing technologies within healthcare facilities, to help foster better communication between patients, nurses, and other providers or administrators. Informatics nurses may also be found:

• Helping patients manage their health through the use of technology
• Analyzing clinical data to improve patient care outcomes
• Evaluating financial data to improve efficiencies
• Reviewing nursing care for areas to enhance procedures
• Redesigning and standardizing clinical workflows
• Assessing administrative tasks (such as documentation) for ways to streamline processes
• Performing research through clinical trials and other data sources
• Optimizing data storage and technology solutions within healthcare facilities
• Assisting with change management in hospitals and other medical facilities

Ultimately, informatics nurses enjoy combining their knowledge of nursing and medicine with their IT skills, in order to better understand data and apply it to patient care.

How to Become an Informatics Nurse in 5 Steps

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program.

Informatics nurses need at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in order to launch their career. This should be earned from a nationally accredited nursing school or program. There are various pathways to earning a BSN degree. You may pursue a traditional, four-year BSN program if you are just starting out in nursing. For those with prior experience in nursing, an RN-to-BSN degree program is a fast-paced and flexible way to advance to a bachelor’s degree.

2. Earn your registered nurse (RN) license.

In order to become an informatics nurse, you must first become a licensed registered nurse (RN). All registered nurses are required to complete and pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN). This will provide you with the licensure needed to practice in your state. If you have not yet obtained your RN license, this will be an important step. Learn how to become a licensed RN here.

3. Gain experience in the nursing field.

Most informatics nurses do not start out in information technology, but rather, work their way up to the top. Most start by working as an RN, typically in a patient care centered role. This allows them to put their nursing knowledge to practice, gain experience in patient care delivery, and work alongside a larger healthcare team. Not only is this experience valuable for new nurses, but it is also required for those considering professional certification in nursing informatics.

4. Earn your Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC®).

While professional certification is not required to become an informatics nurse, it is highly recommended. In fact, almost 80 percent of nurse informaticists feel that having professional certification adds to their credibility, and more than 80 percent feel it has an impact on their career.

The most common pathway to certification in nursing informatics is through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Their Informatics Nursing Certification examination will award you the credentials of RN-BC®, or Registered Nurse-Board Certified, which can help distinguish your career further as an informatics nurse. To qualify for this certification exam, you must:

• Hold an active RN license,
• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (in nursing or a related field),
• Have practiced for two years, full-time, as a registered nurse,
• Completed 30 hours of continuing education in informatics nursing, and
• Meet specific practice hour requirements outlined by the ANCC (1,000 to 2,000 hours of informatics nursing experience).

5. Keep up with continuing education.

All healthcare professionals need to stay on top of the latest information, research, and technology—and informatics nurses are no exception. In fact, the ANCC requires certified informatics nurses to renew their credentials every five years. This can be done through professional development activities (i.e. continuing education) and the ANCC website. Registered nurses must also continue educational and professional development courses, in order to maintain their RN licensure. The requirements for continuing education for RNs will vary by state, so be sure to check with your state board of nursing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Informatics Nurse

What degree is required to become an informatics nurse?

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement to become an informatics nurse. You can secure an entry-level position with a BSN and work your way up in this field. However, earning a graduate degree can provide you with significantly more career opportunities than a BSN. In fact, according to data cited by All Nursing Schools, two-thirds of nursing informaticists today have a master’s-level degree. Many of these professionals (about 27 percent) hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). With this in mind, a master’s degree can help you stand out or stay competitive within the job market.

Do you need certification to become an informatics nurse?

While you do not need certification to launch a career, it is recommended that informatics nurses earn professional credentials in the field. This will establish your credibility and help you stand out to employers. It will also position you for upward mobility in the nursing informatics field. There are several certification options in informatics nursing. While the ANCC’s Informatics Nursing Certification is a common pathway, you also have the option to pursue either of the below certifications through the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS):

• Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS)
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)

What skills do you need to become an informatics nurse?

On top of the critical skills you need to become a nurse – compassion, empathy, interpersonal communication, patience, and attention-to-detail – informatics nurses must also have exceptional skills in analysis, problem-solving, communication, teaching, critical-thinking, computer science, and technology. Many of these skills are learned in a BSN or MSN nursing program, with courses focused on informatics.

Why become an informatics nurse?

Registered nursing is an incredible career where you can make a difference. However, informatics nursing often appeals to registered nurses looking to break outside the box of the traditional nursing role. Becoming an informatics nurse is a great career move if you:

• Are interested in behind-the-scenes work, versus direct patient care
• Have a passion for technology, research, and data
• Have strong analytical skills

Of course, a passion for the above areas is just one reason to change to an informatics nursing career. Another key motivator is the salary potential available in this line of work. According to the 2020 HIMSS Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey, informatics nurses earn a base annual salary between $61,000 and $115,000 per year. Almost 50 percent of survey respondents reported an average annual salary of more than $100,000 per year. This is compared to the $77,000 annual, average pay for registered nurses, reported by the BLS.

Earning a BSN degree and becoming an informatics nurse is a great career move that comes with both personal and professional rewards. If you are currently a registered nurse and interested in getting started, consider pivoting your career with the flexible RN-to-BSN program at Goodwin University—offered entirely online for the busy, working nurse. Click here to request more information.