Skip to Main Content

College of Nursing:
Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Informatics

Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Informatics

This certificate program, which blends nursing science with computer and information science, prepares nurses to more effectively utilize information technology to enhance the quality of patient care. Coursework focuses on such key areas as information systems, database concepts, and effective project management. Students who complete this certificate program have the knowledge to integrate data, information, and knowledge to support decision-making processes that affect patients and providers.

Note on Licensure

The post-master's certificate program in Nurse Executive, Nursing Education, or Nursing Informatics is not a licensure-leading program and will not prepare students as nurse practitioners.

Note on Certification

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Informatics Nursing board offers a competency-based examination that provides an assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the informatics specialty after initial RN licensure which leads to national certification. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide information relating to national certification exams; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification exams for the state in which he or she intends to practice. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification. For more information about the ANCC Informatics Nursing board national certification exam visit www.nursecredentialing.org/InformaticsNursing

Note on CCNE Certification

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Certificate Requirements

  • 28 total quarter credits
  • Foundation course (3 credits)
  • Specialization courses (25 credits)
  • Optional additional practicum (5 credits)

Curriculum

OR

AND

*This course is taken with the foundations course if a student is taking the optional practicum course

Course Sequence

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

Term Course Credits
Quarter 1

NURS 6002 - Perspectives on Graduate Study for Advanced Nursing Practice

 OR 

NURS 6003 - Perspectives on Graduate Study for Advanced Nursing Practice

3 credits

FECN 6461 - Field Experience Preparation

0 credits

NURS 6401 - Informatics in Nursing and Healthcare

5 credits
Quarter 2

NURS 6412 - Information and Knowledge Management

5 credits

NURS 6421 - Supporting Workflow in Healthcare Systems

5 credits
Quarter 3

NURS 6451 - Evaluation Methods for Health Information Technology

5 credits

NURS 6441 - Project Management: Healthcare Information Technology

5 credits

NURS 6461 - Capstone Synthesis Practicum (Optional)

5 credits (2 didactic; 3 practicum)

Note on Field Experience and Relocating

Students who are considering relocating are advised to contact their student success advisor or Tempo coach prior to any decision to relocate in order to determine how relocation may impact progress in their program.  They can provide information and guidance on how relocating may result in possible changes, restrictions, and/or additional requirements affecting field experience. Each Board of Nursing and Higher Education Authority governs the field experience rules and regulations in their respective states, and students may be unable to complete field experience in the state in which they plan to relocate. While Walden is committed to working collaboratively with students to secure field sites across the United States, it is imperative that students contact their student success advisor or Tempo coach immediately when considering relocating.

Field Experience Preparation 

Walden is committed to providing students with resources and support in preparation of field experience(s). To help ease anxiety in the field experience process, Walden offers a 0-credit Field Experience Preparation course, a structured experience that guides students through the application process and currently available readiness resources. The course is designed to complement other pre-requisite courses needed in preparation for field experience(s). The goal is that students submit their field experience application by the end of the course. Of course, there may be reasons why a field experience needs to be postponed, or the readiness course may not be needed if a field experience opportunity has already been secured. In this instance, students may opt-out of the course. By opting out of the Field Experience Preparation course without having submitted a complete field experience application you are notifying Walden that you have chosen to delay the beginning of your field experience indefinitely, it is your responsibility to notify Walden when you plan to begin the field experience component of your program. In some instances, opting out of the Field Experience Preparation course indicates the foundational components of the field experience process have been satisfied and submission of the field experience application is pending. While the course is not yet available for Tempo students, the same readiness resources are available to Tempo students seeking field experience.