Many nurses believe the MSN in Nursing Informatics is the entry point into this field. Nursing Informatics is not taught in undergraduate nursing school programs, which reinforces this idea. However, the MSN is not actually required to get into Nursing Informatics, and hiring managers prioritize experience over education. I do feel there is a place for this degree as a career booster, but not a career starter. Depending on where you are in your career, ask yourself the question: Should you get an MSN in Nursing Informatics?

Here are some articles to help you with that decision.

Article #1: 3 Reasons to Get Nursing Informatics Experience Before a Degree

In this article I break down why I recommend getting experience in Nursing Informatics before jumping into a degree program. Not only can you save yourself some time and money, but you may find there are other degrees and certifications that are more helpful and lucrative in your Nursing Informatics career.

Article #2: Help! I Got an MSN in Nursing Informatics and Cannot Find Work!

I keep hearing from nurses who started with the MSN in Nursing Informatics, and are now struggling to land their first job. In this article, I offer advice for how to break into this field if you already got the master’s degree.

Article #3: MSN vs MBA: Which is Better for Nurses?

One reason I recommend nurses get some experience in Nursing Informatics before a degree is it will save you a lesson I learned the hard way: my MSN in Nursing Informatics was not well understood in the health technology world. Instead, most of the leaders had (and respected) MBAs (Master’s in Business Administration). I ended up going back to school to get the MBA degree. Looking back, I could have either started with the MBA, or done a dual degree program if I knew more about the field before jumping in.

Article #4: Nursing Informatics vs Nurse Practitioner

A lot of nurses are not quite sure how an Informatics Nurse Specialist and Nurse Practitioner differ. In this article, I explain the differences between Nursing Informatics and Nurse Practitioner careers.

Key Takeaway:

Any degree program is an investment, even if your employer covers the tuition (which is becoming less frequent). If you are going to invest your time, energy, and money (employers usually do not cover books and fees), you want to be sure you choose the right program to serve your career. The question of whether you should get an MSN in Nursing Informatics is an important one, and should not be taken lightly. Hopefully these articles give you some insight to make your decision.

Looking for some guidance on how to get into Nursing Informatics? I have two options for you:

Option 1: Sign up for Career Coaching! If you would like hands-on help planning your Nursing Informatics career, apply for one of my career coaching packages or book a Coaching Call. Check out my Services page for more information.

Option 2: Check out From Bedside Nurse to Informatics Nurse: A How-To Guide available in our online store.