Nursing (MSN-Informatics), Master of Science Degree - Nursing Informatics Track

Program Location: Orange County & Dallas Campus - Online

Program Semester Credits: 36

Program Length: 6 Trimesters - 24 months

West Coast University's Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Nursing Informatics prepares students for an exciting career in the development and management of healthcare information technology, incorporating the tools and skills to design and improve the use of informatics into practice, education, administration and research.  This program helps prepare graduates to assist in the creation, analysis, and testing of applications utilized in electronic health records, provide support and training and act as a liaison between all departments involved in the introduction and use of healthcare technology, as well as facilitate the analysis of clinical data for performance improvement programs and enhance the continuity of care.  

The curriculum is in alignment with Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform (TIGER) which is focused on education reform and interprofessional community development.  The spirit of TIGER is to maximize the integration of technology and informatics into seamless practice, education and research resource development (http://www.himss.org/professional-development/tiger-initiative).  Focusing on a multidisciplinary perspective, graduates will be prepared to take on the challenges of integrating science, computer science, and information science to manage and share data, information, and knowledge in nursing practice.  As healthcare associations are utilizing technology at an increasing pace, nurse informatics will assume an essential role in the preservation of security and patient privacy while focusing on integrating information with evidence-based practice to enhance the provision of care.  

MSN with Nursing Informatics Track Curriculum (Sequence)

NURS 500Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice

3.0

NURS 510Policy, Organization & Financing of Health Care

3.0

NURS 521Ethics in Health Care

3.0

NURS 561Health Promotion & Disease Prevention

3.0

NURS 535Principles of Teaching and Learning (formerly NURS 600)

3.0

NURS 540Research Utilization

3.0

NURS 677Introduction to Healthcare Informatics

3.0

NURS 672Data Management in Health Care

3.0

NURS 673Legal and Social Issues in Health Informatics

3.0

NURS 652Organization Behavior, Workflow Designs, and Change Management

3.0

NURS 675AHealth Informatics Practicum

1.5

NURS 690ACulminating Experience I

1.5

NURS 675BHealth Informatics Practicum

1.5

NURS 690BCulminating Experience II

1.5

Total Credit Hours:36.0

MSN with Nursing Informatics Track Program Costs

For program costs, please see the Distance Education Tuition and Fees section.