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    RN to MSN Online Degree Program (Nursing Informatics)

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    RN to MSN Informatics Online Degree Overview

    With data becoming a critical part of healthcare policy implementation, hospitals across the country are looking for qualified nurses to fill important informaticist roles. If you are a Registered Nurse interested in using the available data to improve care and population outcomes, then earn your Master of Science in Nursing as an Informaticist (RN to MSN, Nursing Informatics). 

    The Affordable Care Act has brought dramatic changes to the healthcare landscape. With federal funding now tied directly to patient outcomes, the continued viability of health systems depends upon harnessing data points in order to effect positive change across departments. This allows skilled nursing professionals to harness their clinical experience while acting as an analyst and liaison to health system IT.

    Nursing salaries for nurse informaticists vary widely in the U.S. and are based upon many factors, including geography, job description, specialty and experience. Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conducted a survey in 2020 that found a median salary of $100,000 across the United States, with nursing informatics certification holders generating a higher average salary than those who don't.

    Want to learn more? Watch our most recent Virtual Information Session.

    Program Perks
    • Online, CCNE-accredited track can be completed in 36 months
    • No GRE required
    • Designed for RNs with interest in harnessing data analysis to optimize patient & population outcomes
    • Act as liaison between healthcare, IT and nursing departments
    • All students will receive a national and chapter membership to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
    • Courses are 5-10 weeks long, with 1 week off before next course
    • Students can access courses at any time of day and from anywhere 
    • Upon completion of the program, graduates will have 200 clinical hours and be eligible for informatics certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
    CCNE

    Accreditation & Licensure

    The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master's degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Nebraska Methodist College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

    Graduates must pass programatic certification exam based on practice specialty

    Admissions Information

    Criteria

    Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

    • Graduation from an associate degree or diploma RN state approved program of nursing or a program professionally accredited by NLN CNEA or ACEN.
    • GPA of 3.0 or above; GPA below 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis
    • Current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse
    • Must have completed a minimum of 54 undergraduate credit hours prior to enrolling in the program
    • Non-Nebraska Residents meet State Authorization
    • No GRE required for admission 

    After the Bridge Courses, your GPA will be reviewed again before the first graduate course. A GPA of 3.0 or above is required. A GPA below 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis.

    Requirements

    To be considered for admission, the following items must be submitted to the Admissions Office:

    • Free NMC online nursing application
    • Current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse
    • Resume
    • Official college transcripts from graduating institutions
    • Professional consultation with an admissions representative

    Deadlines

    Prospective students may apply anytime and are accepted from deadlines throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and students will be notified of their application status by postal mail, email or phone.

    Starting Term - Fall 2025

    Priority Deadline - 2/1/2025

    Standard Deadline - 7/11/2025

    Costs & Financial Aid

    NMC is committed to helping you find every avenue to finance your education. View the Tuition by Program & Degree page for a comprehensive list of all fees.

    Cost Per Credit Hour

    $320 | $588

    Cost of Attendance

    NMC Scholarships

    NMC Scholarships consist of funds generously provided by the Methodist Hospital Foundation to assist our students.

    Student Grants or Loans

    Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about what's available and how to apply.

    Employee Education Benefits

    Employees of Methodist Health System can find details on the MHS Intranet.

    External Scholarships

    Visit our Scholarships page to learn more.

    Calculate Your Net Price

    Nebraska Methodist College Net Price Calculator.

    Curriculum

    All RN to MSN students are required to complete specific coursework. This list should only be used as a curriculum guide. Course listings and required curriculum are subject to change. A student must earn a minimum of 39 credit hours to be eligible for the Master of Science in Nursing.

    The RN to MSN track for the RN without a bachelor's degree affords the RN the ability to earn 18 semester credit hours of undergraduate bridge courses (statistics, leadership, research, health assessment, population health) and then transition into the MSN Program without receiving a BSN.

    As students advance into the MSN, Nurse Informatics Program, their GPA will be reviewed again before the first graduate course. A GPA of 3.0 or above is required. A GPA below 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis.

    The combination of MSN and undergrad bridge coursework equates to a total of 57 credit hours.

    Bridge

    MAT 260
    INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
    DETAILS
    This course is designed to introduce students to the methods used in organizing, summarizing, analyzing and interpreting quantitative information. Emphasis is placed on application of statistical methods and on the interpretation of statistically significant data.

    NRS 403-60
    HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR RN’S
    DETAILS
    This course discusses theory and concepts of holistic health assessment across the lifespan. Advancement of skills in history taking, health assessment, and health promotion using concepts of evidence-based practice, critical thinking, genetics/genomics, quality and safety to provide caring, culturally-competent professional nursing care are emphasized. Students will collaborate with a preceptor to perform health assessments in a clinical setting.

    Prerequisites: Placement: Admission to the RN to BSN Program or RN to MSN Program

    NRS 447-60
    COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN NURSING
    DETAILS

    This course analyzes leadership and management theories in relation to trends in nursing and healthcare. The concepts of change, power, collaboration, gender dynamics, interdisciplinary teamwork, and advocacy are examined and applied to the practice of nursing. Quality improvement, healthy workplace, civility, change management, and health care reform will also be a focus.  Using a global perspective, students will analyze, evaluate, and create possible solutions to nursing and population healthcare issues.

    Prerequisites: Placement: Accelerated BSN students or Admission to the RN to BSN Program or RN to MSN Program

    NRS 478-60/478-60C
    POPULATION CENTERED CARE IN THE COMMUNITY
    DETAILS

    Prerequisites: Placement: Admission to the RN to BSN Program or RN to MSN Program

    SSC 370
    RESEARCH METHODS
    DETAILS
    This course is designed to assist the student in developing an understanding of the research process in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods designs. The student learns to selectively apply the steps of research and to critically analyze research studies culminating in formal, oral and written projects.

    Prerequisites: Determined by major

    Required

    NRS 500
    MSN STUDENT ORIENTATION
    DETAILS
    This course provides an orientation for new MSN students to the Masters of Science in Nursing program at Nebraska Methodist College. Emphasis is placed on program expectations and student resources essential for success in the MSN program. Students will learn how to navigate our virtual learning platforms, access research materials, and engage with faculty and peers.

    Prerequisites: Admission to MSN program

    NRS 502
    LEADERSHIP IN AN ADVANCED NURSING SPECIALTY ROLE
    DETAILS
    In this course, students explore the transition of the nurse into the advanced nursing specialty role. This course will promote an understanding of how a nurse in an advanced nursing specialty role acclimates to new leadership responsibilities by influencing change, responding to chaos/crisis and managing conflict. The significance of teambuilding and interdisciplinary collaboration will be explored. Students begin to develop their professional portfolio based on program outcomes. 

    Prerequisites: To be taken first semester or by permission

    NRS 504
    ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
    DETAILS

    In this course, students synthesize advanced concepts of pathophysiology, health assessment and pharmacology across the lifespan for the advanced nursing specialty role to complete an accurate health database, including history and holistic assessment, across the lifespan. Physiologic changes, clinical manifestations, and drug therapy are integrated to facilitate critical analysis to support clinical decision-making. Virtual clinical experiences allow for practical application of course theory. 

    Prerequisites: NRS 502, or by permission

    NRS 506
    INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
    DETAILS
    In this course, students examine nursing roles in informatics and information technology within the healthcare system. The history, theoretical models, and best practices of nursing informatics are explored. Students investigate ethical, legal, and regulatory standards and workplace policies. Exploration of digital health literacy will be performed. Students examine the consequences of using information and communication technology on the quality of care, efficiency of communications, and connections between the healthcare team, patients, and consumers. 

    Prerequisites: NRS 502 or by permission

    NRS 507
    POPULATION HEALTH IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY
    DETAILS

    In this course, students explore concepts of population health and social determinants of health. Students will investigate issues that contribute to understanding population health and health inequities. Emphasis is placed upon the analysis of a population health assessment in informing strategies to advance health outcomes. Students will explore population-focused interventions to address health risks and disparities across selected health care delivery settings. Critical analysis of population health concepts and implementation of management strategies in a community-based practice setting will be examined. The practicum experience allows for practical application of course theory. 

    Prerequisites: NRS 502 or by permission

    NRS 510
    HEALTH POLICY & SYSTEMS-BASED PRACTICE
    DETAILS
    In this course, students investigate the impact of local, regional, national, and global systems and regulations on the safety and quality of care for individuals and diverse populations. The relationship between healthcare economics, health policy, and the complex health system will be explored. Students will examine legislation on current health policies and factors shaping policy development. Students will explore factors of cost containment, resource allocation, risk benefit analysis, quality, advocacy, interprofessional collaboration, and developing and implementing systems solutions in systems-based thinking.

    Prerequisites: NRS 502 or by permission

    NRS 513
    MEASUREMENT & STATISTICAL CONCEPTS FOR DATA INTERPRETATION
    DETAILS
    In this course, students apply nursing knowledge with theory and statistical methods to broaden understanding of nursing concepts and nursing outcomes. Measurement principles, descriptive statistics and relationships between variables are explored to better comprehend nursing and nursing phenomena. Using the framework of disparity and risk in a specific population, students apply content on variable association. Reports using statistics to compare groups and measure patient improvement over time are analyzed for implications for patient populations.

    Prerequisites: NRS 502 or by permission

    NRS 517
    CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF KNOWLEDGE FOR PRACTICE
    DETAILS
    The purpose of this course is the understanding of research processes and interpretation of statistics to make accurate critical appraisals. Students apply the process of drawing conclusions, finding implications, and making recommendations based on an appraised study. Students learn to judge relative merits of studies in answering particular research questions. Questions of the fit of evidence or theory within an identified agency or institutional setting are explored.

    Prerequisites: NRS 509 & NRS 513, or by permission

    NRS 562
    CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATICS
    DETAILS
    In this course, students evaluate how technology facilitates healthcare delivery in population health. Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) and the use of electronic information to guide healthcare outcomes are investigated. Students examine the evolution of CHI and its influence on social and technological trends. Students explore the design, use, and impact of technologies that aim to engage consumers to participate in their healthcare

    Prerequisites: NRS 506 or by permission

    NRS 564
    REGULATORY, LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS
    DETAILS
    The utilization of information technology in society has increased the need to ensure privacy and security of patient health information. This course will review regulatory, legal, and ethical philosophies of informatics in healthcare. Topics will include the history and standards of HIPAA; the impact on system implementation, management, and evaluation; and the role of the informaticist in the protection of the patient.

    Prerequisites: NRS 509, NRS 513, NRS 560, NRS 562, or by permission

    NRS 568
    CLINICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
    DETAILS
    The focus of this course is on the role of the nurse in the use of the electronic health record in the clinical practice setting. The selection, implementation, management, and evaluation of healthcare information systems will be explored. Regulatory standards such as HITECH, and review of competencies from ANA and TIGER will be discussed. Other topics include project management; privacy and security standards. Precepted clinical experience (84 clinical hours) allows for practical application of course theory.

    Prerequisites: All program course work except NRS 569, NRS 592 and NRS 594, or by permission

    NRS 569
    PRACTICUM IN NURSING INFORMATICS
    DETAILS
    During the Practicum in Nursing Informatics, the student will select a preceptor in the field of informatics and complete 126 hours of direct interaction. The student will synthesize clinical applications, roles and competencies of the nurse informaticist and the interface with technology in healthcare. The student must identify a topic for discussion and share the findings and outcomes of the project.

    Prerequisites: All program course work except NRS 592 and NRS 594, or by permission

    NRS 592
    CAPSTONE I
    DETAILS
    In this first course of the capstone sequence, students will synthesize concepts related to research, practice, education and leadership content as well as experiences learned throughout the master's programs of study. Groups of students will collaboratively begin a group-selected evidence-based project. Emphasis is placed on the process of identifying a nursing problem (PICO [T]), searching and critically appraising the literature with development of a summary matrix table.

    Prerequisites: Typically taken in the second-to-last semester, or by permission

    NRS 594
    CAPSTONE II
    DETAILS
    In this second course of the capstone sequence, students will synthesize concepts related to research, practice, education and leadership content and experiences learned throughout the master's program of study. Groups of students will collaboratively complete the group-selected evidence-based project begun in NRS 592. Emphasis will be on the process of completing an evidence-based manuscript suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, a poster presentation suitable for delivery at a local, national or regional conference or a webinar presentation.

    Prerequisites: Typically taken in the last semester, or by permission

    Meet the Faculty

    Our nursing faculty are highly experienced and credentialed in their own fields, giving you constant real-world insight you can use. While any instructor can recite from a textbook, ours go a step further and draw from vast personal and professional experiences. Instructors here care as deeply about their students as they do the subject matter and it shows.

    Meet the Faculty

    Additional Information

    MSN Program Outcomes

    Graduates of MSN program will be able to

    1. Integrate scholarly inquiry into nursing practice to improve outcomes in healthcare.
    2. Demonstrate attributes of a professional, transformative, and visionary nurse leader in an advanced specialty role.
    3. Embrace life-long learning to advance personal growth, the nursing profession, and health outcomes.
    4. Foster interprofessional collaboration through mutual respect, effective communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
    5. Address the impact of social, political, legal, and ethical influences on diverse populations, health policies, and nursing practice.
    6. Demonstrate competence in an advanced specialty role using knowledge, skills, and professional judgment to promote evidence-based nursing practice.
    7. Advocate for compassionate person-centered care in the planning, coordination, and evaluation of care for individuals, families, groups, and populations.
    8. Engage in emerging technologies and information systems to optimize the multifaceted healthcare environment and nursing practice.
    9. Navigate complex systems to improve cost-effectiveness, quality, and safety initiatives that support health care outcomes and systemic equality.

    Online Technology Requirements

    See Online Technology Requirements

    Example Plans of Study

    Plan of Study - Fall

    Plan of Study - Spring

    MSN Blog Posts

    Professional Organizations

    Testimonial

    "The online program was extremely accommodating and easy to navigate. It was designed to accommodate a work/life balance as the classes were staggered throughout the length of the program. For example, one class would be in progress for 10 weeks, and the second class would start approximately at week 8 of the first class. There were maybe a few weeks when I took two classes simultaneously, which was challenging; however, most of the program operated in a staircase-like fashion. Brightspace, the online site utilized by NMC to access classes, is extremely easy to navigate and straightforward."

    - Dana E., 2021 NMC Graduate

    Program Handbook