What Is a Nurse Informaticist? A Day in the Life

Nursing informatics combines data science with nursing expertise. In 1992, the American Nurses Association (ANA) officially recognized informatics as a new specialty, and the scope of this role has expanded and evolved since then. These specialists use evidence-based innovations to improve patient care and support nursing practice. Specifically, nursing informatics refers to the use of technology and data to improve patient care and overall nursing practice.

Defining the Role and Competencies

The ANA specifically notes that the role of these nurses is to use technology in order to “manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom” — what is known as the DIKW pyramid. Nursing informatics applies data specifically to the field of nursing and the ways that nurses can improve patient outcomes through ongoing systems-level innovations. The role includes these three core competencies:

• Computer skills: Conducting searches for information, retrieving patient data, and using information technologies to improve care.
• Informatics knowledge: Understanding the value of nursing data, ethical considerations in computer systems, and clinician involvement in healthcare systems design.
• Informatics skills: Interpreting information flow, developing standards, and conducting research and data analysis.

A Day in the Life: What Does a Nurse Informaticist Do?

Nurses in this role generally don’t work with patients. Instead, they spend their workdays gathering and analyzing data to understand clinical problems at the system level. A day in the life of this specialized RN involves using nursing and technical skills to do three main types of work:

1. Work on Timely Projects: These involve several members of the healthcare team as informaticists help implement new changes to technology systems, such as updating documentation protocols in the electronic medical record (EMR).
2. Educate Team Members: Orienting and educating staff on systems changes, such as becoming a superuser or resident expert in a new glucose monitoring tool.
3. Support for Staff: Acting as resources when staff need education and support as they integrate these processes into their workflow.

Career Outlook and Salary

The nurse informaticist salary and job outlook are both strong. Below is a summary of the current market data for this profession:

Becoming a Nurse Informaticist

Becoming a nurse informaticist takes additional training after nurses complete their RN degree and become licensed. Gaining initial experience in acute care usually precedes the work to earn an MSN, and earning applicable certifications like NI-BC or HIM-SS will improve both your skills and job outlook. Medical institutions can also offer standalone informatics courses, such as health informatics principles, management of public health data, and health data theory and practice.

The Impact on Patient Care

Nursing informatics helps to reduce errors and adverse events in healthcare facilities. This is because informatics optimizes documentation, ensuring data is as accurate as possible. Nurses skilled in leveraging informatics can communicate and share patient information with doctors, therapists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals excellently. This coordination strengthens patient-care provider partnerships and improves patient care outcomes.

Furthermore, nurses trained in informatics are well-versed in telemedicine systems, mobile health, and telemonitoring. They better know how to provide high-quality remote health services in areas where patients are unable to access clinics or hospitals easily. By analyzing clinical data and embracing new technologies, they wholeheartedly contribute to optimizing clinical outcomes and implementing evidence-based practices.