What Can You Do With an MSN Degree in Health/Nursing Informatics in 2025

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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What career paths are available with an MSN in health/nursing informatics?

A health/nursing informatics degree places nurses at the forefront of healthcare, combining patient care with technology-driven solutions. With 39% of nurse informaticists now having more than 10 years of experience, the field demonstrates growing importance and stability. This degree trains graduates to design, implement, and optimize healthcare information systems, enhancing patient outcomes and streamlining clinical workflows. 

For those seeking flexible pathways into the field, the easiest online nursing informatics programs make advanced education more accessible, allowing working nurses to balance career growth with academic commitments. By applying advanced nursing knowledge alongside informatics expertise, graduates take on specialized roles that shape care delivery, boost organizational efficiency, and drive strategic technology adoption.

Some of the career paths available to MSN in health/nursing informatics graduates include:

• Nursing Informatics Specialist: Designs and implements clinical software, trains staff, and ensures technology supports safe, effective patient care.
• Clinical Informatics Manager: Oversees EHR adoption, system updates, and workflow optimization within departments.
• Health Informatics Consultant: Advises hospitals and clinics on IT system improvements, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Healthcare IT Project Manager: Leads multi-departmental projects implementing or upgrading health information systems.
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) Coordinator: Maintains accurate patient records and ensures seamless interoperability between software systems.

What is the average salary for a nursing informatics professional with an MSN degree?

A nursing informatics professional with an MSN degree enjoys a rewarding salary that reflects both their clinical expertise and technical proficiency. The average annual pay for an informatics nurse in the US is $98,409, with most salaries ranging between $70,000 (25th percentile) and $122,500 (75th percentile). Top earners (90th percentile) can make up to $150,500, while salaries may reach as high as $166,500 depending on experience, location, and organization size.

For comparison, professionals in other growing fields—such as those completing the best online data analytics bootcamps—also see strong salary potential as demand for data-driven expertise continues to rise.

Salary trends also show steady growth. In 2022, 60% of nurse informaticists earned over $100,000, up from 49% in 2020 and 33% in 2014. Higher education further boosts earnings, with 25% of Ph.D.-level informaticists making over $176,000, compared to 8%-12% of other degree holders. This demonstrates strong potential for career advancement and increased pay through skill development, advanced degrees, and leadership roles.

In the chart below, I have outlined the average salary range for informatics nurses based on data from ZipRecruiter.

How can I advance my career with an MSN in health/nursing informatics?

You can advance your career with a health/nursing informatics degree by actively leveraging both clinical expertise and technological skills. While 76% of nurse informaticists report high career satisfaction, a quarter feel their role lacks recognition, emphasizing the need to demonstrate impact and lead within organizations.

For comparison, students in fields like the best online Christian studies degree programs also rely on combining specialized knowledge with practical applications to expand career opportunities, showing how education paired with strategy can drive advancement.

Graduates enhance their qualifications through certifications, professional networks, and hands-on experience with EHR systems or health analytics tools. This will help position them to implement system-wide improvements and shape healthcare delivery.

Here are a few strategies you can consider to help you advance your career:

• Earning Certified Informatics Nurse (RN-BC) credentials to showcase specialized expertise.
• Leading EHR implementation projects to improve workflows and patient care.
• Transitioning into healthcare analytics roles to guide policy and clinical protocols.
• Joining professional organizations like the American Nursing Informatics Association for networking and mentorship.
• Participating in interdisciplinary leadership programs to gain administrative experience in hospital and healthcare settings.

Can an MSN in health/nursing informatics lead to executive or leadership roles?

An MSN in health or nursing informatics can open doors to leadership because it equips nurses with a rare blend of clinical expertise and technological fluency. This combination is increasingly valuable as hospitals and health systems prioritize digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and streamlined patient care. 

For ambitious professionals looking to accelerate their advancement, the fastest online MSN nursing informatics degree provides a quicker pathway into leadership positions, helping nurses transition efficiently into roles that demand both clinical and IT expertise. While many nursing leadership pathways focus solely on administration, informatics-trained leaders stand out for their ability to integrate clinical needs with innovative IT solutions. 

As organizations seek to improve efficiency and care quality, graduates often rise to executive positions where they shape policy, oversee digital strategies, and guide interdisciplinary teams.

Potential executive roles health/nursing informatics degree graduates can pursue include:

• Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO): Directs enterprise-wide IT strategies, ensuring technology aligns with patient care goals.
• Director of Clinical Informatics: Leads departmental informatics programs, managing both technology initiatives and staff development.
• VP of Health IT Implementation: Oversees system-wide EHR rollouts, upgrades, and digital adoption to optimize workflows.
• Healthcare Quality and Safety Director: Applies analytics to enhance patient safety and implement evidence-based improvement initiatives.
• Informatics Program Manager: Coordinates cross-departmental projects, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and advancing digital integration

Is an MSN in health/nursing informatics worth it for long-term career growth?

A health/nursing informatics degree proves highly valuable for long-term career growth because it bridges two rapidly expanding fields: clinical care and healthcare technology. Demand for professionals with this dual expertise continues to rise, with health informatics careers in the US projected to see 11% job growth from 2023 to 2033, outpacing many other nursing specialties.

As hospitals, clinics, and health organizations increasingly rely on electronic health records (EHRs), telehealth platforms, and predictive analytics, nurses with informatics training gain a competitive advantage that positions them for lasting career relevance. Here is what you can expect:

• Access to High-Demand Roles: Graduates are qualified for specialized positions in hospitals, private practices, public health organizations, and technology companies.
• Early Leadership Opportunities: Informatics expertise enables nurses to transition into management or executive roles more quickly than traditional nursing pathways.
• Stronger Job Security: Blending clinical knowledge with IT makes graduates indispensable in an era of digital-first healthcare.
• Consulting and Advisory Potential: Many pursue careers as independent consultants, guiding organizations on EHR optimization, data governance, or compliance.
• Ongoing Industry Relevance: Digital health innovation ensures informatics professionals remain at the forefront of new technologies and care models.

What soft skills are most important for health informatics professionals?

Success in health informatics requires more than technical expertise; it demands the ability to connect people, processes, and technology. While developing specific informatics nurse skills like clinical practice (24.57%) and clinical applications (13.05%) remains essential, soft skills often determine how effectively professionals influence system adoption and drive meaningful change.

For students in other fields—such as those pursuing the best online education specialist degrees in leadership—the same principle applies: technical knowledge alone isn’t enough without strong interpersonal and leadership abilities.

Nurses who master these interpersonal abilities can guide interdisciplinary teams, optimize workflows, and advocate for digital solutions that prioritize patient care.

Below are the essential soft skills for health informatics professionals:

• Communication: Present complex technical insights in clear, practical terms to clinicians, administrators, and IT staff.
• Critical Thinking: Interpret data trends to recommend evidence-based improvements that enhance care delivery and efficiency.
• Collaboration: Partner with diverse teams, from bedside nurses to software developers, to align goals and implement effective solutions.
• Problem-Solving: Identify and resolve workflow bottlenecks, integration issues, and user challenges within health IT systems.
• Adaptability: Adjust quickly to new technologies, evolving regulations, and shifting healthcare priorities while maintaining focus on patient outcomes.

This chart from Zippia shows the skills that are important to nurse informatics. 

What specialized roles can you pursue with an MSN in nursing informatics?

A health/nursing informatics degree holder can pursue specialized career paths that blend clinical expertise with advanced technological skills. With healthcare organizations under pressure to deliver safer, faster, and more cost-effective care, professionals who specialize in niche areas of informatics drive innovation and meet these demands.

For comparison, students pursuing the best online applied sciences degree programs also discover that specialized pathways open up diverse opportunities to apply technical knowledge in impactful ways.

These roles often require targeted experience or certifications, but they allow professionals to directly influence patient outcomes, streamline workflows, and shape the future of digital healthcare delivery:

• Pharmacy Informatics Specialist: Optimizes medication management and dosage tracking.
• Telehealth Coordinator: Implements virtual care platforms and monitors patient engagement.
• Population Health Analyst: Uses big data to guide public health initiatives.
• Clinical Decision Support Specialist: Develops algorithms to improve diagnostic accuracy.
• Patient Safety Analyst: Monitors data to identify risks and prevent adverse events.

Which healthcare settings offer the best career opportunities for informatics nurses?

Informatics nurses are finding expanding opportunities across diverse healthcare settings as organizations deepen their reliance on digital systems. Hospitals remain the largest employers of health information technologists and medical registrars, accounting for 47% of the workforce, while physician offices represent about 9%. 

Environments with high volumes of electronic data, complex workflows, and multi-department collaboration create the best career prospects for those with advanced informatics expertise. Unlike traditional nursing roles, these positions often provide cross-departmental exposure and opportunities to shape leadership and innovation in care delivery. Competitive compensation further strengthens these opportunities, with nurse informaticist salary data showing that earnings typically exceed those of many traditional bedside nursing positions.

The top settings for these professionals include:

• Hospitals: Large academic and community hospitals rely on informatics nurses to manage enterprise-wide EHR rollouts, optimize workflows, and train staff.
• Clinics: Outpatient clinics and specialty practices use informatics nurses to expand telehealth services, streamline patient records, and support continuity of care.
• Health Insurance Companies: Informatics nurses analyze claims and patient data to improve care coordination, reduce costs, and design evidence-based care plans.
• Pharmaceutical Companies: These roles focus on monitoring real-world drug performance, assessing treatment safety, and ensuring regulatory compliance through data-driven insights.
• Healthcare IT Firms: Informatics nurses consult on EHR customization, system integration, and end-user support to align digital tools with clinical needs.

This chart from the US BLS shares the largest employers for health information technologists and medical registrars.

How does an MSN in nursing informatics influence job stability?

A health/nursing informatics degree offers more than career advancement; it strengthens long-term job stability in a rapidly evolving healthcare system. By combining clinical expertise with advanced technical skills, graduates position themselves as essential professionals in organizations that rely heavily on digital data and information systems. 

While the field projects above-average growth, not all professionals report high satisfaction, with the HIMSS survey noting ratings as low as 4 (dissatisfied) in current informatics positions, underscoring the importance of aligning roles with personal career goals. For those motivated by both impact and earning potential, data on the master's in health informatics salary highlights strong compensation trends that reinforce the value of this advanced degree.

Here, I will detail how an MSN in nursing informatics supports job stability:

• EHR Expertise: They configure and maintain electronic health records, ensuring compliance and consistent documentation across care settings.
• Data-Driven Impact: Their ability to analyze clinical data supports evidence-based decisions, improving both patient outcomes and organizational performance.
• Leadership in Change: Many lead system rollouts, workflow redesigns, and staff training, securing their importance during organizational transitions.
• Unique Dual Skills: The combination of clinical knowledge and IT expertise makes them highly competitive and difficult to replace.
• Career Flexibility: Opportunities span hospitals, government agencies, academic institutions, and consulting firms, broadening their employment security.

What are the top industry trends affecting careers in health informatics?

Healthcare technology is advancing at a rapid pace, reshaping how informatics professionals work and the value they bring to organizations. For example, 58% of nurse informaticists report using EHR/EMR systems as their most common application, highlighting the field’s strong dependence on digital platforms. 

Unlike traditional nursing roles, careers with health/nursing informatics degrees evolve alongside technological innovation, requiring professionals to stay current with industry trends to remain competitive and effective. Some of the trends that shape the field include:

• Telehealth Expansion: Informatics nurses support the integration of virtual care into existing systems, ensuring seamless documentation, data capture, and patient monitoring.
• Predictive Analytics: Professionals use large datasets to forecast patient risks, enabling proactive interventions and more personalized care planning.
• Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Decision-Making: Informatics specialists help deploy AI tools that enhance diagnostic accuracy, optimize workflows, and support evidence-based care.
• Cybersecurity Concerns: With rising threats, informatics nurses play a key role in implementing safeguards to protect patient data across platforms.
• Interoperability and EHR Integration: Specialists ensure that EHRs communicate effectively across departments and facilities, improving continuity of care and reducing data silos.

What MSN Degree in Health/Nursing Informatics Holders Say About Their Careers 

Key Findings

Other Things You Should Know About Pursuing an MSN Degree in Health/Nursing Informatics

Do you need an RN license to apply for a nursing informatics master’s program?

Most MSN in health/nursing informatics programs require applicants to hold an active RN license, as the curriculum assumes foundational clinical knowledge. Some programs, however, offer bridge or non-RN tracks for professionals with healthcare experience in IT or administration. It’s important to check each program’s admission requirements before applying.

Can non-clinical professionals pursue an MSN in Health/Nursing Informatics?

Yes, some programs accept non-clinical applicants, especially those with experience in health IT, data analytics, or healthcare administration. These programs often provide foundational nursing or clinical courses to ensure students can fully engage with informatics applications. Non-clinical professionals may need additional prerequisites or bridge courses to qualify.

How does clinical informatics training prepare students for real-world healthcare challenges?

Clinical informatics training equips students with skills to analyze healthcare data, optimize electronic health records, and implement evidence-based solutions. It bridges the gap between technology and patient care, enabling graduates to improve workflow efficiency, patient safety, and care quality. Hands-on practicum experiences also provide exposure to real clinical environments and IT systems.

Can you pursue health IT certifications alongside an MSN degree?

Yes, many students pursue certifications such as RN-BC, Certified Health Informatics (CHI), or Health IT professional credentials while completing their MSN. These certifications complement the degree by validating specialized skills, enhancing career prospects, and increasing competitiveness for leadership or technical roles in healthcare IT.