Administering consistent, high-quality patient care requires access to vast fields of data. However, because the technology that collects and houses this data constantly changes, it has become increasingly difficult for clinical staff to stay current on the systems and use them efficiently.
This is why health informatics is so crucial. It is a growing specialty designed to bridge the gap between information technology (IT) and clinical care departments. Nurses and other health professionals who specialize in informatics have a breadth of clinical expertise and an understanding of the latest information systems and processes. Through graduate nursing programs like the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) online Master of Science in Health Informatics (MHI) — which offers courses on IT project management and information systems (IS) in healthcare organizations — students gain the informatics insights needed to optimize patient care.
How Has Healthcare IT Evolved?
Since the introduction of electronic health records (EHRs), access to accumulated data for patients and providers has many benefits, like the expansion of healthcare IT systems. Today, many “smart” technologies — such as automated IV pumps, clinical decision support tools, and barcode scanners for medication administration — are connected to EHRs, updating patient records in real-time and notifying clinical employees of critical alerts.
In addition, introducing new software programs has become commonplace, as have mobile workstations to house the technology and other peripheral gear. As care relies increasingly on technology, informatics nurses must have a comprehensive knowledge of these systems and devices. They must routinely monitor the technology and stay abreast of emerging security threats and system updates. Informatics nurses fulfill a critical function by upholding strict privacy and security protections.
However, the responsibilities of informatics nurses encompass much more than “technical support.” As Zelda Meeker explains in an article for Nurse.com, informatics nurses also enhance communication and collaboration, train and support employees and improve health outcomes.
What Happens to Improperly Managed Healthcare Data?
Nursing informatics has the potential to streamline clinical workflows, strengthen patient engagement and satisfaction, protect patient data and improve outcomes. While collecting and exchanging information can enhance collaboration among the care team and reduce medication errors, mismanaged HIT systems are problematic.
Healthcare facilities without dedicated staff to manage and secure their data systems are susceptible to breaches. According to The HIPAA Journal, cybersecurity breaches hit an all-time high in 2024, affecting over 180 million individuals. At an organizational level, data breaches are incredibly costly. Facilities are vulnerable to breaches when their systems are not maintained or when employees do not use the technology appropriately. In some instances, a breach can impact the safe delivery of care, especially if data integrity is compromised or partially inaccessible. A loss of public trust often occurs, too.
How Do Nurses Prepare for a Nursing Informatics Career?
Typically, nurses interested in pursuing a healthcare informatics career require graduate-level education, especially as the complexity of health information systems intensifies. According to a 2022 workforce survey by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), 68% of respondents had a master’s degree or higher, which helps establish credibility in the field and positions them for certification and leadership roles.
NKU’s online MHI program prepares graduates to enter the dynamic and growing healthcare technology and data management field. Through courses such as Database Management Systems and IS in Healthcare Organizations, the SACSCOC-accredited program teaches students about the leading information management practices and how to design secure modern data systems and shape targeted IT policies to support efficient care delivery.
As data continues to guide patient care, institutions need professionals who can safely and securely manage large swaths of information. Nurses specializing in informatics understand healthcare’s IT challenges and the impact on frontline workers. Their contributions streamline clinical workflows, advance public health policy and improve patient outcomes.
Learn more about NKU’s online Master of Science in Health Informatics program.
