Nursing Informatics, Innovation & Technology, M.S.N.
Healthcare is being transformed by data, AI, and technology — and nurses who understand that transformation are the ones leading it. GCU’s new M.S.N. in Nursing Informatics, Innovation & Technology is a fully online, 36-credit degree that prepares RNs to become the digital health leaders healthcare systems urgently need.
Why study the Nursing Informatics, Innovation & Technology, M.S.N. at GCU?
100% Online — Built for Working RNs
The entire program is delivered in a 7-week, asynchronous, fully online format. No commuting. No set class times. You work on your schedule — at 6 AM before your shift or 11 PM after your kids are asleep. The program is purpose-built for working registered nurses who want to advance without stepping away from the patients, teams, or organizations that depend on them.
A Degree That Prepares You for the Jobs Healthcare Doesn't Have Enough Of
The demand for nursing informatics specialists, digital health leaders, and clinical systems analysts far outpaces the current supply. Electronic health records, AI diagnostics, predictive analytics, telehealth, and wearable monitoring systems are transforming care delivery — and healthcare organizations need nurses who can evaluate, implement, lead, and improve these systems. But this degree doesn't just prepare you for the technologies that exist today. It builds the foundational thinking, adaptability, and leadership skills to assess and lead whatever comes next — including technologies that haven't been invented yet. That's what the word "Innovation" in this program's name means.
A Curriculum Aligned With the 2021 AACN Essentials
Every course in this program is mapped to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) 2021 Essentials framework — the gold standard for contemporary nursing education. That alignment means your degree reflects the most current standards for advanced nursing practice in a technology-driven healthcare environment, from day one.
200 Hours of Real-World Practice Immersion
The program's two capstone courses (NU633 and NU634) include 200 combined practice immersion hours — coordinated through preceptors and partners such as Hackensack Meridian Health, with flexibility for both remote and site-based experiences. You don't just study informatics — you apply it in a real healthcare setting, planning and implementing a real-world project that addresses an actual problem in nursing or healthcare systems.
Emerging Technology You Won't Find in a Traditional Nursing M.S.N.
Artificial intelligence. Machine learning. Virtual and augmented reality. Wearables. Telehealth. Blockchain. Smart health devices. NU632 Emerging Technology in Nursing & Health isn't a survey of what's coming someday — it's a practical, critical examination of the technologies already reshaping patient care and clinical decision-making, taught with an emphasis on evidence-based, ethical, and equitable integration.
Program overview
Nursing has always been at the center of healthcare delivery. Now, it needs to be at the center of healthcare’s digital transformation too — and GCU’s M.S.N. in Nursing Informatics, Innovation & Technology is built for exactly that.
The 36-credit program is organized in three tiers. Nine credits of core courses establish the advanced nursing foundation: Advanced Nursing Theory, the Role of Advanced Nursing Practice, and Evaluation & Translation of Evidence. These courses ground every subsequent course in nursing knowledge and evidence-based practice, ensuring that your informatics specialization is always framed by clinical expertise — not just technical skill.
Twenty-one credits of informatics specialization courses develop the specific competencies that define the nursing informatics role: Foundations of Nursing Informatics, Systems Lifecycle in Health Informatics, Data Management & Health Technology, Transforming Care with Data,
Assessment & Analysis in Informatics, Ethics & Regulation in Informatics, and Emerging Technology in Nursing & Health. Together, these courses develop your ability to lead the full lifecycle of healthcare technology — from system selection and implementation to data governance, outcome measurement, ethical regulation, and AI integration.
Six credits of capstone courses (NU633 Capstone I: Project Planning and NU634 Capstone II: Implementation & Evaluation) bring it all together in 200 hours of supervised practice immersion. You’ll identify a real-world problem in nursing or healthcare informatics, develop and defend a project proposal, implement your intervention, collect and analyze outcomes, and disseminate your findings — all supported by faculty and clinical preceptors.
This program was designed to address a critical workforce need: the shortage of nurses with advanced informatics competencies who can help healthcare organizations manage, evaluate, and innovate within increasingly technology-driven environments. If you’re an RN ready to lead that work, GCU’s program was designed for you.
Is this program right for you?
GCU’s M.S.N. in Nursing Informatics, Innovation & Technology is a great fit if you:
- Are a licensed Registered Nurse (R.N.) who wants to move into informatics, digital health leadership, or clinical technology roles without leaving nursing
- Are curious about — or already working with — electronic health records, clinical decision support systems, predictive analytics, AI, or telehealth and want formal graduate preparation in these areas
- Want a fully online, asynchronous program that fits around your nursing schedule and doesn’t require commuting or set class times
- Are drawn to the intersection of nursing science and technology — and believe that well prepared nurse informaticists make healthcare systems safer, smarter, and more equitable
- Want to complete a real-world capstone project that addresses an actual problem in nursing informatics at your workplace or in your clinical community
- Hold a B.S.N. (or a related bachelor’s degree with an active RN license) and are ready for graduate-level coursework
- Are interested in roles like clinical informatics specialist, EHR implementation lead, digital health strategist, or Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
See where a Nursing Informatics, Innovation & Technology, M.S.N. Degree can take you
Healthcare informatics is one of the fastest-growing specializations in all of healthcare — and nurses with this expertise are being recruited aggressively by hospitals, health systems, and health technology companies.
Career Paths
- Nursing Informatics Specialist
- Clinical Informatics Nurse / Clinical Informatics Manager
- Digital Health Leader / Digital Health Strategist
- Clinical Systems Analyst
- Healthcare Innovation Strategist
- EHR Implementation Specialist / EHR Project Manager
- Population Health Data Analyst
- Telehealth Program Coordinator or Director
- Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO) (with experience)
- Health IT Consultant
Where Graduates Work
- Hospitals and health systems (EHR, informatics, and quality improvement departments)
- Hackensack Meridian Health and other NJ health networks
- Health technology companies and EHR vendors (Epic, Cerner, Oracle Health, etc.)
- Insurance companies and managed care organizations
- Government health agencies and public health departments
- Academic medical centers
- Healthcare consulting firms
- Telehealth platforms and digital health startups
- Pharmaceutical and life sciences companies
Salary Snapshot
| Entry Level (Transition to Informatics Role) | NJ Median — Medical & Health Services Managers | Experienced / Senior Informatics Leader |
|---|---|---|
| $85,000–$100,000 | $134,950 | $130,000–$180,000+ |
Job Outlook
Health information and informatics roles are projected to grow 17% from 2023 to 2033 — much faster than average — driven by the accelerating digital transformation of healthcare, expansion of EHR mandates, AI integration, and the critical shortage of nurses qualified to lead technology enabled care. Demand is especially strong in New Jersey, where major health systems like Hackensack Meridian Health, RWJBarnabas Health, and Atlantic Health are actively investing in informatics infrastructure and leadership.
Data reflects New Jersey earnings for nursing informatics specialists and health information management professionals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–25 ed.; NJ median salary data from BLS OEWS, May 2024.
Program Information
Curriculum
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (9 Credits) | ||
| NU520 | Advanced Nursing Theory | 3 |
| NU521 | Role of Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NU522 | Evaluation & Translation of Evidence | 3 |
| Informatics Specialization Courses (21 Credits) | ||
| NU525 | Foundations of Nursing Informatics | 3 |
| NU526 | Systems Lifecycle in Health Informatics | 3 |
| NU527 | Data Management & Health Technology | 3 |
| NU528 | Transforming Care with Data | 3 |
| NU630 | Assessment & Analysis in Informatics | 3 |
| NU631 | Ethics & Regulation in Informatics | 3 |
| NU632 | Emerging Technology in Nursing & Health | 3 |
| Capstone Courses (6 Credits) | ||
| NU633 | Capstone I: Project Planning | 3 |
| NU634 | Capstone II: Implementation & Evaluation | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Faculty
Kathryn E. Fleming, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CPHQ, NEA-BC, FACHE
Assistant Dean
Hackensack Meridian Health School of Nursing and Wellness at GCU
Hamilton Hall (103)
[email protected]
732-987-2184
Admissions Requirements
To be admitted to the M.S.N. in Nursing Informatics, Innovation & Technology, applicants must:
- Hold an earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) from an accredited institution (Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a related field — health sciences, information technology, business — will also be considered on a case-by-case basis)
- Hold an active, unrestricted RN license in the United States (NJ licensure preferred; other state licenses considered)
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (applicants with a lower GPA may be considered with additional supporting materials, such as professional experience or certifications)
- Submit a completed application (apply at georgian.edu/apply or contact Graduate Admissions at 732-987-2770)
- Pay the $40 application fee (nonrefundable)
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Contact Graduate Admissions at 732-987-2770 or [email protected] with any questions.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of GCU’s M.S.N. in Nursing Informatics, Innovation & Technology will be able to:
- Integrate nursing theory, systems thinking, and evidence-based practice to guide the design and evaluation of informatics solutions across healthcare settings (AACN
Essentials Domains 1, 2, 4, 5) - Demonstrate proficiency in health information systems and data management tools to support clinical decision-making, care coordination, and quality improvement (AACN Essentials Domains 5, 6, 9)
- Apply informatics competencies to evaluate, select, implement, and maintain health information technologies ethically and effectively (AACN Essentials Domains 5, 8)
- Lead technology-enabled quality improvement, safety, and workflow redesign initiatives that improve patient outcomes at the system level (AACN Essentials Domains 5, 6)
- Navigate the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks governing health data, AI, cybersecurity, and patient privacy — including HIPAA, HITECH, and global privacy standards (AACN Essentials Domain 8)
- Critically evaluate emerging technologies — including AI, machine learning, telehealth, and wearables — for evidence-based, equitable, patient-centered integration into care (AACN Essentials Domains 4, 9)
- Plan, implement, and evaluate a capstone informatics project in a real healthcare setting, demonstrating leadership, stakeholder engagement, and measurable impact (AACN Essentials Domains 6, 10)
Nursing Informatics, Innovation & Technology, M.S.N. FAQ
Q: Do I need a B.S.N. specifically, or will any bachelor’s degree with an RN license qualify? A: The primary requirement is a B.S.N. from an accredited institution plus an active, unrestricted RN license. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a related field (health sciences, IT, business) and an active RN license will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact Graduate Admissions to discuss your specific background.
Q: Is this program entirely self-paced? A: The program is fully online and asynchronous — meaning no set class meeting times. Courses are structured in 7-week modules, so there is a clear sequence and timeline. It’s not self-paced in the sense of “complete it whenever you want” — there are course deadlines and a degree map to follow. But you access coursework and complete assignments on your own schedule within each module.
Q: What does the capstone practicum involve, and can it be done remotely? A: The two capstone courses (NU633 and NU634) include 200 combined hours of practice immersion — identifying a real informatics problem, planning and implementing a project, and evaluating outcomes. Practicum experiences can be completed remotely or at approved site-based locations, coordinated with preceptors. GCU’s Hackensack Meridian Health partnership provides preceptor options for students who need site-based placements.
Q: What is AACN Essentials alignment, and why does it matter? A: The AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) 2021 Essentials is the current national framework for nursing education competencies. Alignment with these standards means your degree reflects the most current expectations for advanced nursing practice — including specific competencies around informatics and health technology that are newly emphasized in the 2021 framework. Employers and licensing boards increasingly recognize AACN Essentials alignment as a marker of contemporary, quality nursing education.
Q: Is this a new program? Will I be in the first cohort? A: Yes — this program is launching in Spring 2027. Being in an inaugural cohort has genuine advantages: close faculty attention, direct input on the program’s development, and the opportunity to be among the first graduates from a program that is positioned to grow.
Q: How is this different from health informatics programs offered in IT or business schools? A: This program is built by nurses, for nurses. The clinical expertise and patient care perspective that RNs bring is central to every course — from data governance to ethics to AI integration. The program is not about building IT systems from scratch; it’s about equipping nurses to evaluate, implement, lead, and improve the technology that shapes patient care. That nursing-first lens is what distinguishes this M.S.N. from general health informatics programs.
Related Programs & Next Steps
The Foundation for This Program:
You must be an RN to enter this program. If you’re not yet an RN, GCU’s Direct Entry M.S.N. or ABSN are your starting points.
Related Programs at GCU:
- Nursing, M.S.N. — Direct Entry — The clinical nursing foundation; many informatics nurses value strong direct care experience before moving into informatics roles. If you want both, the Direct Entry MSN is the clinical credential and this program is the informatics specialization.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN) — Not yet an RN? GCU’s ABSN is the fastest path to becoming a registered nurse — the credential you need before entering this program.
Career Progression Context: Nursing informatics is a relatively new specialty — most practicing informatics nurses transitioned from direct care roles. The typical career path looks like: RN (direct care, 3–7 years) → informatics analyst or coordinator role → M.S.N. in informatics → clinical informatics manager → CNIO or health IT leadership. GCU’s program can be entered at any point on that trajectory as long as you hold an active RN license.
Ready to take the next step?
Your GCU journey starts with a single click.
- Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) in Informatics, Innovation & Technology
- Credit Hours: 36
- Program Duration: 18 months
- Program Type: Master's Degree
- Delivery Format: 100% Online
- Campus: Lakewood
Kathryn Fleming
Associate Dean; Professor-in-Residence
732-987-2184
[email protected]
Graduate Admissions
Mercedes Hall
732-987-2770
[email protected]