Introduction
A Nursing Informaticist, also known as Clinical Informatics Specialists, is a specialized nursing professional who combines nursing science, computer science, and information technology to improve healthcare outcomes. They are responsible for managing and analyzing complex data and transforming clinical data into useful information for healthcare providers, patients, and researchers. They work primarily in hospital settings, but also in government agencies, nursing facilities, vendors or payers, and academic settings.
Role and Responsibilities
Nursing informaticists are responsible for a range of tasks that include implementing healthcare technologies and information systems, optimizing and utilizing these systems, developing and improving procedures and workflows, as well as conducting systems analysis. They also provide education and training to healthcare professionals in the effective use of healthcare technologies.
Based on a survey of 1,118 nursing informaticists conducted by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) in 2022, the top responsibilities of a nursing informaticist include system implementation, system optimization and utilization, project management, systems development, quality initiatives and reporting, and informatics education. They may also be responsible for training nursing staff in redesigning practices, applying data to support clinical care, designing new systems, data retrieval, and data interpretation and visualization. They may also be involved in fostering innovation, change control, strategy, applying technology for health equity and access to care, enhancing digital platforms, and using artificial intelligence in nursing care.
Education and Experience Requirements
To become a nursing informaticist, one must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, obtain a nursing license, and gain clinical experience. A nursing informaticist generally holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), but they may also hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. In 2022, 40% of nursing informaticists had a bachelor’s degree in nursing, 28% had a master’s degree in nursing informatics, and 19% had a master’s degree in nursing. The vast majority of nurse informaticists had over six years of clinical experience.
Salary
Overall Salary
Salary rates for nursing informaticists are on the rise. In 2022, approximately 60% of nursing informaticists reported annual salaries exceeding $100,000. This is up from 49% in 2020, 45% in 2017, and 33% in 2014. The majority of nursing informaticists make between $76,000 – $125,000 annually.
Salary by Education Level
Higher levels of education strongly correlate with higher salaries. According to the HIMSS survey, 25% of nursing informaticists with a Ph.D.,