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Nursing Informatics Post Master's
Certificate Degree Program

Do you have an interest in data and want to make a change in your profession? The Post-Master’s Nursing Informatics Certificate from Nebraska Methodist College prepares nursing professionals to transition from their current healthcare roles to experts who use data analysis to improve population outcomes. The integration of health care informatics is pivotal in enhancing the quality of patient care by leveraging electronic information systems.

Nurse informaticists fill a critical role in health care, optimizing patient outcomes and enhancing patient care via the implementation of big data made possible due to developments in information technology across various health care organizations. This is the only certificate program of its kind in the region.

The online format caters to working nurses and allows them to balance educational goals with personal and professional responsibilities.

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.

Nursing Informatics Program Perks

The nursing informatics certificate program is designed to enhance informatics knowledge and support evidence-based practice. This graduate certificate program can be completed online in 12-16 months.

Informatics is a great option for working RNs with an MSN degree who are interested in harnessing data to optimize overall patient outcomes, especially for those seeking a certificate in nursing informatics.

The curriculum is 17 credit hours, including courses on clinical information systems, computer science, and project management, which are essential for analyzing, planning, designing, and implementing health/clinical information systems within nursing practice.

Courses are five or ten weeks long, with one week off before the start of the next course. Students can access courses at any time of the day and from anywhere with Internet access.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will have completed 200 clinical hours and be eligible for informatics certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The admission requirements for this program are designed for registered nurses seeking specialized knowledge in health informatics, outlining the qualifications needed to gain advanced education and skills in this evolving field.

Admissions Information

Criteria

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Master of Science degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution
  • Applicants who have a Master of Science or Arts degree in healthcare fields will be considered on an individual basis
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Non- Nebraska Residents meet State Authorization

Requirements

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

  • NMC online nursing application
  • Current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse
  • Resume
  • Official college transcripts from your MSN degree granting institution

Deadlines

Prospective students may apply anytime and are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and students will be notified of their acceptance by postal mail, email or phone.

Starting Term - August and January

Standard Deadline - Rolling

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

$429

Private Student Loans

The Financial Aid Office can help facilitate this process for you. Check out our private education loans to find out how to make an informed choice when selecting a lender.

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 nursing informatics certificate students are required to complete specific coursework. The following plan represents progression for the online post-master's certificate as a nurse informaticist.  There are a total of 17 credit hours to complete.

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 562
CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATICS
DETAILS
Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) is a rapidly-expanding area of informatics practice and focuses on the consumer use of electronic information to guide healthcare outcomes. This course will cover the implementation of strategies and technologies that improve patients, families and the community access to healthcare; CHI applications, health literacy and trends, opportunities and future challenges.

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

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 experience at a premier nursing school in Nebraska.  Instructors here care as deeply about their students as they do the subject matter and it shows.

Meet the Faculty

Additional Information

Technology Requirements

To be successful with your online courses, you should have a basic understanding of computers and the internet. Read more about the minimum knowledge and hardware requisites on our Online Technology Requirements page.

Private Education Loans

Students are encouraged to apply for all scholarships, Federal grants and Federal loans for which they are eligible before considering a private education loan, sometimes called an alternative loan. Terms and conditions for Federal student loans may be more favorable than those of private education loans.

Private education loans allow students to borrow in their own name, without any government guarantee. The loans are based on the borrower's credit, and it is often beneficial to have a credit-worthy co-signer. Since these are not governmental loans, the lender assumes more risk and may charge a higher interest rate, larger loan fees, or have more stringent credit requirements than the federal loan programs. Private loans cannot be combined with federal loans if a student wishes to consolidate his/her loans after graduation.

 

Applying for a Private Education Loan

  1. Determine your priorities.  Consider what aspects of a loan are most important to you, such as credit and co-signer requirements, co-signer release, interest rates, fixed or variable interest, fees, enrollment criteria, repayment terms, and borrower benefits such as a discount or rebate for paying through auto debit. 
  2. Research & compare your options.  Look at several lenders and loan products to determine which one best meets your needs.  (See next section for information on selecting a lender.) 
  3. Submit your application.  Once you have decided which loan to apply for, go to the lender's website to complete the application.  NMC's school code for loans is 006404.
    1. During the application process, you will be required to complete a Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification form.  Section 2 of that form will ask for your cost of attendance and estimated financial assistance for the loan period.  To obtain those figures, either refer to your award letter or contact your financial aid counselor. 
  4. Follow up promptly.  If you are pre-approved for the loan, the lender will instruct you on any additional steps that you need to complete.  Be sure to respond promptly to any request from your lender. 
  5. Wait.  Now it's our turn.  Once the lender has received everything it needs from you it will notify NMC that the loan is ready to certify.  After you have registered for classes, we confirm your eligibility and enrollment, and submit the certification to the lender.  At that time, we will send you a revised Award Letter showing the loan amount that was approved. 
  6. Receive final disclosure.  After NMC certifies your loan, the lender is required to send you a final disbursement disclosure informing you of your right to cancel the loan.  After providing that disclosure, the lender is required to wait at least 6 days before sending your funds to the school.

Selecting a Lender

Selecting a lender for a private loan is an important decision.  The loan programs differ, so it is important that you know the terms and conditions of the loan as well as your rights and responsibilities as a borrower.  Students (and families) are encouraged to research the lender benefits, customer service and other information related to loan processing, services and cost.  Remember that a loan is a debt that must be repaid, so it is recommended that students borrow wisely and no more than is necessary.

To assist in the comparison and selection process, NMC provides a Preferred Lender List on ELM Select.  These lenders were chosen based on the quality of products and services provided.  In selecting our preferred lenders we considered several factors: competitive interest rates, low or zero origination fees, borrower benefits such as co-signer release and interest reductions during repayment, stability and reputation, and quality of customer service.  As the borrower, it is your right to select a lender not on this list.  NMC will process your application for any eligible lender you select. 

Click here to access NMC's Preferred Lender List. Remember, you are not required to select a lender from our list. You have the right to select any lender you wish, that offers this type of loan. 

 

Code of Conduct

Educational institutions that participate in Federal Title IV programs are required to publish a code of conduct related to private education loans.  This code of conduct applies to all Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) employees, officers and agents of the College, including without limitation individuals who are employed in the Financial Aid Office or who otherwise have responsibilities with respect to education loans.  This code of conduct reflects NMC's commitment to conduct business and administer financial aid programs with integrity, in the interest of students, and in compliance with applicable law. 

  1. Ban on revenue-sharing agreements - The College will not enter into any revenue-sharing agreement with any lender.  The College will not accept fees, revenue, or material benefits from any lender in exchange for recommending the lender or loan products to students.
  2. Ban on gifts - NMC employees with financial aid responsibilities may not solicit or accept any gift or other item with a monetary value of more than a de minimus amount from a lender, guarantor, or servicer of student loans. 
  3. Prohibited consulting and contracting arrangements - No NMC employee or agent with financial aid responsibilities shall accept from any lender or affiliate of any lender any fee, payment, or other financial benefit (including the opportunity to purchase stock) as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or other contract to provide services to a lender or on behalf of a lender.
  4. Ban on limiting a borrower's choice of lender - NMC employees will not direct first-time borrowers to a particular lender through award packaging or other methods, nor will NMC employees refuse to certify or delay certification of any loan based on the borrower's selection of a particular lending institution. 
  5. Prohibition on offers of funds for private loans - NMC will not request or accept from any lender any offer of funds to be used for private education loans in exchange for a certain number or volume of loans, or in exchange for placement of the lender on a preferred lender list.
  6. Ban on staffing assistance - NMC will not request or accept from any lender any assistance with call center staffing or financial aid office staffing, unless specifically allowed by federal regulation.  Examples of allowable assistance include professional development training, educational counseling materials, financial literacy materials, or debt management materials for borrowers, provided that such materials disclose the identification of the lender; or short-term, nonrecurring staffing assistance to assist the institution with financial aid-related functions during emergencies or natural disasters.
  7. Ban on advisory board compensation - Any NMC employee with financial aid responsibilities, and who serves on an advisory board, commission, or group established by a lender, must not receive anything of value from the lender, except for reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in serving on the board.