Nursing Informatics Programs and Schools in Maryland
Studying in Maryland offers many benefits that most other states simply cannot provide. The proximity to our nation’s capital is a prime example of this. With many federal health agencies in the greater Washington, D.C., area, you may be more likely to find employment after completing your degree program.
At the very least, you can earn your degree from a Maryland-based program with highly experienced faculty. Whether you decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a certificate program, Maryland’s dozens of colleges and universities have the program that’s right for you.
Below is a list of some of Maryland’s best nursing informatics programs. Use this guide to help narrow your college search and find a program that fits your future well.
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland, which has more than 41,000 students on campus and online, is organized into 12 distinct colleges and schools. There are more than 100 bachelor’s degrees, more than 100 graduate programs, and more than 80 doctoral programs. With such great diversity of study areas, you’re free to pursue virtually any course of study you like, including nursing informatics!
As a student at the University of Maryland, you have the opportunity to learn at an institution that’s well-regarded for its academics. Magazines like US News and World Report rank Maryland among the best schools in the nation – 19th among national public schools. The university also ranks 15th on US News and World Report’s list of the best global schools.
Nursing Informatics Program Information
The University of Maryland’s Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty in Nursing Informatics is a completely online program. Though you have to complete 40 credits to graduate, you can do so in a flexible format that most students finish in about two years of full-time study, though part-time study plans are available.
Once enrolled, you will benefit from features like individualized study plans, personal advisors, and a practicum site near your hometown. Additionally, some out-of-state students may qualify for in-state tuition, making your studies even more affordable.
You will take classes like:
- Health Promotion and Population Health
- Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice
- Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement
- Organization Theory: Application to Health Services Management
- Technology Solutions for Generating Knowledge in Health Care
As a result of these studies, you’ll have the qualifications to be a healthcare information technology leader. As such, you can enhance patient care and safety, improve clinical workflows, and more.
You can apply to this program if you have an undergraduate nursing degree from an ACEN or CCNE-accredited college or university. You must also have a 3.0 GPA or higher for your undergraduate studies.
Additionally, you must submit the following:
- Official transcripts
- A resume or curriculum vitae
- An essay
- A copy of your valid, active nursing license
- A letter of recommendation
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
The University of Maryland Global Campus is the largest school in the University of Maryland System. The Global Campus offers dozens of online degree programs and nearly 1,000 courses to students in Maryland and beyond. This includes providing educational opportunities for active-duty and retired military members. In fact, UMGC has provided courses to military members in active war zones since the Vietnam War.
In fact, UMGC is a leader in distance education. It was one of the first schools in the nation to offer online bachelor’s degree programs. Today, you can benefit from this heritage and tradition, combined with modern technology and rich online learning environments, to pursue your degree without ever stepping foot on a physical campus.
Nursing Informatics Program Information
The online Master of Science in Health Information Management and Technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus is a good alternative if you don’t already have a nursing degree and experience working as a nurse.
Instead of focusing specifically on nurse informatics, this program takes a broader approach to teaching you about healthcare technology applications necessary for gathering, managing, and analyzing incredible amounts of health data.
This is a 36-credit program that can be completed in as little as two years of full-time study. The curriculum includes a breadth of courses to prepare you well for your career. These include:
- Health Data Management
- Statistics for Managerial Decision Making
- Information Technology for Healthcare Administration
- Relational Database Systems
- Financial Management for Healthcare Organizations
Completion of a capstone course is also required for graduation. The capstone project is a study of health information topics that specifically address topics like health information compliance, healthcare management, and health technology, among others.
To apply, you must submit a graduate application for admission and an application fee. You must also hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited school.
Montgomery College
Montgomery College is a two-year community college that offers a wealth of introductory programs for students just beginning their educational journey. The college emphasizes the student experience, as evidenced by its small class sizes (17-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio).
You can participate in a wide range of campus activities, too – there are more than 130 student organizations and clubs that add to the collegiate experience.
As a student at Montgomery College, you will also get a high-quality education. The school has received many academic recognitions over the years. This includes rankings as one of the nation’s top online colleges, a premier community college in the U.S., and a top degree producer, among other accolades.
Nursing Informatics Program Information
If you want to work in nursing or health informatics, a good place to start is with an associate of applied science degree in Health Information Management like the one offered by Montgomery College.
This two-year, 67-credit program introduces essential health information management topics that you can build on in a BSN program. Likewise, the health information skills you learn in this program will benefit you in the short term as you might find an entry-level job after completing this program.
Some of the courses you will take include:
- Medical Terminology
- Health Data Content, Structure, and Standards
- Ambulatory Coding
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Information Management
- Healthcare Delivery Systems
Other requirements include mastery of math, biology, and communications courses. A computer applications class is also part of the curriculum.
The application process begins with attendance at an information session. These sessions are offered on a monthly basis and provide a detailed look at the program. After that, you must:
- Apply to Montgomery College
- Submit official transcripts from any colleges or universities you’ve already attended
- Take and pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills
You must also submit a separate application to the Health Sciences program.
Coppin State University
Coppin State University was originally founded in 1900 as a teacher’s college, primarily for African-American students. Today, Coppin State is a Historically Black Institution whose reach goes far beyond teaching prospective teachers. Instead, the university now offers dozens of undergraduate degrees and graduate programs in areas like business, computer science, and counseling, among others.
If you study at Coppin State, you will enjoy a small campus environment with fewer than 3,000 students. The small student body means that you can also enjoy small class sizes – the student-to-teacher ratio is just 10:1 – so you’re assured of getting one-on-one attention from your professors.
Nursing Informatics Program Information
Coppin State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management that could inspire you to become a nurse and pursue a career in the nursing informatics field. In fact, this program closely aligns with the pre-nursing BSN track.
This 120-credit degree requires about four years of full-time study to complete. During your time in the program, you’ll complete general education courses (e.g., math, science, and humanities), as well as core-area coursework, like:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Legal Aspects of Health Information Management
- Advanced Quality Concepts in Health
Once you complete this program and graduate, you will have a wide range of applicable skills that make you highly marketable in the health information management space. For example, you will have the ability to make data-driven policy decisions, analyze critical research data, and maintain accurate medical information.
To apply, you must have a 2.5 GPA or higher in your undergraduate studies. You must also submit the following:
- A general application for admission
- An application for admission to the College of Health Professions Academic Success Office
- Three letters of recommendation
- A letter of interest or a personal statement
- Official transcripts from any colleges or universities you’ve attended
Nursing Informatics Work Opportunities in Maryland
The job opportunities you can pursue after completing one of the programs listed above vary widely. If you graduate with an associate’s degree, for example, you might find entry-level employment in Maryland, such as a health information management assistant.
However, if you have a bachelor’s degree – especially one that combines nursing and health information management – the pool of potential jobs opens up significantly. Nursing informatics jobs that require clinical experience, like a clinical nurse informatics specialist, could be yours for the taking, provided you have the appropriate mix of education and experience.
Getting a master’s degree in nursing informatics will benefit you if you want to expand your potential job opportunities even further. Armed with the advanced education and training of a master’s degree, you can apply for jobs as a Clinical Informaticist, Public Health Informaticist, or Consumer Health Informaticist, to name a few.
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