4 Best (FASTEST) Nursing Informatics Online Programs
Written By: Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
What are the Best (Fastest) Nursing Informatics Online Programs in the Nation?
(Based on our
Ranking Methodology, the following are the 4 best fastest Nursing Informatics online programs. You can complete these programs in 18 months or less.)
Programs Offered: MSN
Program Length: 1.5 Years
Program Details: Are you a nurse who wants to earn a master’s degree and who has a knack for using computer and information science? Do you like the idea of using those skills to improve patient outcomes and promoting technological advances in nursing? If so, a career in nursing informatics may be a perfect path to consider. Even if you do not want to spend years in schools, there are still options, like the fast-track online nursing informatics program offered at Liberty University.
The nursing informatics program at Liberty University features a
36-credit curriculum, which includes core courses like Health Policy & Ethics and Nursing Theory & Advanced Practice. You will also study informatics-specific courses, including Biostatistics, Health Data Analytics & Decision-Making, Nursing Informatics Data Management, and Financial & Resource Management for Nurse Leaders.
The program includes a minimum of 200 practice experience hours. Program faculty will collaborate with you to help you identify a practice experience site and preceptor and to ensure you secure a contract so you can complete your practicum experience there.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: You can complete the online nursing informatics program at Liberty University in one and a half years.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the Nursing Informatics online program at Liberty University, you must have a current, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in the United States and have one year of nursing experience as a registered nurse. You may apply online or by phone by speaking with an admissions counselor. You must have either a bachelor’s degree in nursing or an associate degree in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Additionally, you must provide official transcripts reflecting a baccalaureate grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Contact information for one professional recommendation is also required.
Why Choose This Program
• At Liberty University, you may choose a clinical site and preceptor close to your home region to complete your clinical practice experience. This is a great advantage for students, as it means less travel.
• If you desire to take a faith-based approach to your nursing career, Liberty University is an excellent choice. The
purpose of the School of Nursing is to
“prepare competent nurses who integrate Christian caring into professional practice and can lead with a spirit of service.”
Programs Offered: MSN
Program Length: 18 Months
Program Details: Jacksonville University is home to one of the country’s best fastest nursing informatics online programs. The program features seven-week courses and several start dates throughout the year, making it possible for you to begin earning your degree at a time that is most convenient for you.
The MSN Nursing Informatics program features a
curriculum that includes ten classes: six MSN core courses, and four Informatics core courses. You will study subjects, including Information Systems & Technology for Improved Healthcare, Population Health Informatics, Epidemiology, & Evidence-Based Nursing Informatics in a Global Society, Organization, Delivery, & Policy in Healthcare, and Foundations of Nursing Informatics.
Despite classes being offered online, the school still exercises a low faculty-to-student ratio, making it easier for you to get individual attention when you need it. The university offers unique experiential learning opportunities. You will be immersed in experiences with virtual reality labs, simulation scenarios, telepresence robots, and research opportunities.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: Although the MSN in Nursing Informatics at Jacksonville University offers both part-time and full-time enrollment options, if you enroll as a full-time student, you can complete the program in as few as 18 months.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the fast-track nursing informatics online program at Jacksonville University, the first step is to complete a Jacksonville University application. You must be a graduate of a regionally accredited and ACEN-, CCNE-, or NLN- accredited nursing program and have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate grade point average. In some cases, candidates whose GPA is less than 3.0 may be considered with satisfactory GRE/GMAT scores and letters of recommendation. You must provide a resume or curriculum vitae, a statement of intent, and proof of having an active U.S. registered nurse license. If your RN license is a non-Florida license, you must be eligible for endorsement to practice in Florida.
Why Choose This Program
• At Jacksonville University, you will work closely with an academic advisor who will assist you to ensure your program progression is individualized to help you reach your goals in a way that works best for you. As a former healthcare instructor, I find this especially appealing to students, as it can sometimes feel overwhelming for students trying to juggle school along with other life responsibilities, especially if they are unaware of what options are available for scheduling and other types of assistance.
• Jacksonville University boasts a diverse faculty that is dedicated to staying abreast of the latest developments and trends in nursing, including finding ways to promote student success through initiatives, like specialized training and technology. Their experience and dedication to the nursing profession and the student population are remarkable and part of what leads to the success of so many students!
Programs Offered: MSN
Program Length: 16 Months
Program Details: If you’re ready to take your career to a new level and like the idea of using computer, information, and nursing sciences, Post University has an excellent option to consider! The MSN in Nursing Informatics at Post University is one of the best fastest nursing informatics online programs we have found. The program offers asynchronous coursework, which makes it easier to balance your academic goals with your personal and professional responsibilities. Additionally, the program offers monthly start dates, so you can choose to begin your studies at a time that works for you.
The MSN in Nursing Informatics program requires you to
complete 36 credits. The curriculum includes MSN core courses and Informatics specialty courses. You will study Integrated Advanced Pathopharmacology, Policy Advocacy & Healthcare Ethics, Healthcare Data Analytics, and Information Security & Privacy in Healthcare Environments.
Many of the courses in the program include practice experience hours of some type.
Practice experiences are planned activities that are built into courses within the curriculum. These experiences may include precepted clinicals, simulation experiences, practice learning experiences, and capstone hours.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: The MSN in Nursing Informatics program at Post University is designed to be completed in as few as 16 months.
Admission Requirements: Admission to the fast-track online nursing informatics program at Post University is contingent upon meeting the following requirements. You must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and be a registered nurse with an active, unrestricted license to practice as an RN. You must provide copies of official transcripts from any post-secondary schools you have attended, including a state board-approved nursing school where you received your BSN. Additionally, candidates must submit a resume, curriculum vitae, and a personal statement.
Why Choose This Program
• The fast-track online nursing informatics program at Post University puts you in control of your learning by offering two track options: the Term-Based track and the SIMPath (Competency-Based) track. The term-based track features eight-week terms with consistent due dates and classes that are taken one at a time. The SIMPath track has 16-week semesters and allows you to work at your own pace and take as many classes as you feel you can handle each semester.
• As a CCNE-accredited program, you can rest assured the education you will receive from the MSN Nursing Informatics program at Post University meets the highest educational standards, preparing you with specialized skills that will open doors for new career opportunities.
Programs Offered: MSN
Program Length: 18 Months
Program Details: At Walden University, you will find another of our featured shortest online nursing informatics programs. The school offers multiple start dates throughout the years, which means it can accommodate more prospective students. With course-based and Tempo Learning options, you can pick a modality that fits your learning style best.
The program is a
53-quarter credit pathway. After completing 23 quarter credits of core coursework, you will complete 30 quarter credits of specialization courses. You will study in classes, including Information & Knowledge Management, Evaluation Methods for Health Information Technology, Informatics in Nursing & Healthcare, and Supporting Workflow in Healthcare Systems.
The program culminates with the completion of a Capstone Synthesis Practicum course, which includes two didactic credits and three practicum credits. In this course, you will participate in professional activities and develop a culminating project that applies the concepts, principles, and theories related to informatics to promote positive changes related to nursing practices. The program also includes interactive, virtual learning experiences designed to help build your skills and prepare you for a career in nursing informatics.
How Fast Can You Complete This Program: The online nursing informatics program at Walden University is an 18-month program.
Admission Requirements: To be admitted to the fast-track online nursing informatics program at Walden University, you must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing “earned at a United States school that is accredited by a regional, professional, specialized, or national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.” You must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. You must provide official transcripts from your bachelor’s degree program and any post-secondary school you attended. Additionally, you may be asked to provide contact information for two professional or academic references.
Why Choose This Program
• At Walden University, you have the option of choosing the Self-Paced/Tempo Learning path to earn the MSN in Nursing Informatics. The Tempo Learning path is a competency-based pathway that offers an alternative way to earn your degree. Many students like the Tempo Learning pathway because it allows them to move through the program by passing competency assessments.
• Graduates of the Walden University MSN in Nursing Informatics program have excellent job placement rates. Among graduates who answer surveys following completion of the program, most report finding jobs related to their degree within six months of graduation.
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Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.