Nursing Informatics

Technology surrounds us in our personal and professional lives. The “Internet of Things,” first mentioned by Kevin Ashton in 1999, is described as a system in which the Internet is connected to the physical world by way of ubiquitous sensors. We are not yet at the point at which all data in healthcare is automated, but we are moving toward more auto-mation in healthcare and other areas of our lives. Increasingly, our health records are being automated. Eventually, we will all have an electronic health record (EHR) that tracks our health, wellness, and illnesses from birth to death.

Overview

Nursing informatics (NI) is the specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple information and analytical sciences to identify, define, manage and communicate data, information, knowledge and wisdom in nursing practice. For many people, NI, and health care informatics in general, are about technology. This is especially true of electronic health records (EHRs) that are required of all care facilities. In addition, it details the nursing informatics competencies needed by any RN, spans all nursing careers and roles, and reflects the impact of informatics in any health care practice environment. This is a must-read for nurses, as informatics touches on every RN's practice."

What is Nursing informatics?

The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines nursing informatics as the integration of nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. This data approach to patient care enhances the clinical experience for health care providers and patients.

What Skills and Education Are Required for an Informatics Nurse?

First and foremost, it's necessary to be a registered nurse (RN) to work in nursing informatics. Most organizations prefer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and some may prefer a master's degree in health informatics or a similar field. 

Some universities offer courses or certificate programs to develop the required technical skills, and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers an Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC). An active RN license, at least two years of nursing experience, and 30 hours of continuing education in nursing informatics are required to take the ANCC exam.

Essential informatics nurse skills include:

Clinical experience and an understanding of the information needs of a health care setting
Proficiency in EHRs, data analytics, and other health care technologies
An ability to adapt to emerging technology and skills in data analysis and interpretation
Project management skills related to system implementation, upgrades, or process improvements
Strong communication skills to educate and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams regarding technology use
The ability to promote advocacy for nursing ethics and patient safety and privacy

Common Roles in Nursing Informatics

Nursing Informatics Specialist

This person may be in charge of information technology solutions and educating nurses. They may also work as an executive or analyst. The informatics nurse possesses a strong understanding of both nursing and technology. Tasks may also include ensuring the integrity and security of health care data.

Clinical Informatics Nurse

This role works to optimize the use of EHRs and other clinical systems, customize workflows, and identify opportunities for process improvement. If this is a leadership role, such as a chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO), tasks may include strategizing and identifying trends to develop a vision and plan for implementing informatics.

Informatics Nurse Consultant

A consultant may assist with system selection, project management, and workflow redesign. The informatics nurse consultant provides guidance and support as organizations implement health technology systems. 

Benefits of Nursing Informatics

Improved patient care and outcomes. Optimized EHRs can allow nurses and other health care providers to quickly glean patient information if data is collected, analyzed, and shared effectively.
Enhanced patient safety. More accurate documentation and better access to patient information may minimize medical errors and improve communication between health care providers and patients. 
Streamlined workflow. Improved efficiency and simpler workloads reduce the time and frustration that nurses may have with administrative burdens, allowing more time for patient care.
Research and quality improvements. Access to timely, correct data and the ability to analyze it can support research, quality improvement initiatives, and innovation. These efforts may assist in implementing evidence-based practice.
Virtual care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing informatics stepped up to implement and support more telehealth and virtual health care platforms.
Data-driven decision making. Access to real-time data and analytics can allow for better-informed decisions and proactive care interventions.

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