Amber McIntosh earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Kentucky University in 2003 and started her career as a BSN caring for patients at the bedside. As her clinical knowledge and experience grew across the next two decades, she discovered how data and analytics can enhance evidence-based practice and clinical informatics, improving safety, efficiency, and patient outcomes.
Amber now administers large-scale electronic health records projects for Cincinnati Hospital Systems in Ohio. She returned to NKU in 2025 for the online Master of Science in Health Informatics program, seeking new skills to build on her nursing and technology experience and a credential to expand her career options in informatics.
“Coming back to NKU was just like coming home,” she remembered. “Combined with the flexibility of the online format and NKU’s strong connections in the healthcare field, it just felt like the right place to continue growing professionally.”
The opportunity to study artificial intelligence, data visualization, informatics research methods, data analysis and information governance was enticing. When a trusted colleague recommended the online MHI program, Amber knew it was the right choice.
“What really stood out about the Health Informatics program specifically was the positive feedback I’d heard from one of my current leaders, who had previously been an instructor there,” she said.
Amber completed her coursework in February 2026, earning her health informatics master’s degree in just 13 months. In addition to strong support from her husband and daughter, she credits the NKU faculty with helping her stay on track.
“I truly felt that the professors were invested in student success. They brought a high level of expertise and real-world knowledge into the program,” she said. “They created an environment that encouraged learning, critical thinking, and professional growth, which made a real difference in my overall experience.”
Amber found working with her online classmates just as rewarding.
“Even in a virtual environment, we were able to connect, share ideas, and support one another,” she said. “Those connections made the online experience more engaging and created a support system that extended well beyond the coursework itself.”
Amber is excited to leverage her expertise in nursing and informatics more effectively as an NKU online MHI graduate. She has been able to apply her master’s coursework directly in her current position, and she plans to pursue advanced roles that offer new challenges, overseeing more expansive data-driven projects at the local and national level.
“This degree has moved me closer to that goal by deepening my knowledge in health informatics, expanding my skill set, and giving me the confidence to contribute meaningfully to large-scale electronic health record initiatives,” she said.
“This program prepares you for real-world application—it’s not just theoretical,” she advised. “You gain skills you can immediately use in your career.”
Pursue Future-Focused Careers in Healthcare with a Master of Science in Health Informatics from NKU
Prepare for leadership roles at the intersection of clinical and technological innovation with the Northern Kentucky University master’s in health informatics online. This rigorous MHI program from the NKU College of Informatics is designed for working professionals, featuring 100% online coursework and a streamlined path to graduation. With affordable tuition, flexible scheduling and dedicated faculty support, you can earn your degree in as few as 12 months.
Explore the full scope of health informatics as you gain core knowledge of healthcare information systems, including electronic medical records and diagnostic support, along with specialized skills in machine learning, AI and data visualization. Develop evidence-based research as you build the expertise and confidence required to lead informatics projects in healthcare settings, from design and decision-making to implementation and governance.
In addition, you will complete a final capstone project with a healthcare organization or business, providing data-driven solutions to real-world challenges in this dynamic and growing industry.
Whether you are new to the field or an experienced professional ready to level up your career, you can earn your health informatics degree online faster in this versatile master’s program from NKU.
Learn more about the NKU online M.S. in Health Informatics program.
