You became a nurse to make a difference, change lives, and empower people to take charge of their health. Now, advance your career and maximize the positive impact you can have with a master’s degree in nursing informatics. Start looking for a program with a high graduation rate. It will show that students get the support they need to graduate on time.
Time Management
Many online nursing informatics programs require students to complete a clinical practicum. These practicums can be anywhere from 350 to 700 clinical hours. Often, online students will have to find their preceptors and clinical sites, so it is important to start searching early in the program.
The curriculum in an online MSN informatics will include core classes like Data Management in Health Care and Data Analytics. These courses are designed to teach students how to collect, store, and analyze data critical for patient outcomes.
Most online MSN informatics programs will also include classes in research techniques, applied statistics for evidence-based practice, and systems management. Most schools will also include a clinical component in the form of a practicum or capstone project. Typically, this is done at a healthcare facility in the student’s home city or state. Most schools will have resources available to help students find a practicum site.
Learning Styles
Learning styles refer to a student’s preferred method of taking in and retaining information. Students with a visual learning style will take in information through pictures, maps, and charts, while students with an auditory preference will learn through verbal instructions and listening to lectures. Several learning style inventories are available to help identify which learning method is best for an individual student.
Nursing professionals are lifelong learners, so nurses need to be aware of their preferred learning styles. Understanding one’s preferred learning style can help improve study habits and support academic success throughout an individual’s professional career.
Self-Assessment
As a student, taking a self-assessment of your progress at regular intervals is important. It can help you stay focused on your goals and adjust as needed.
When taking a self-assessment, being as honest as possible is important. It may be tempting to answer questions a certain way to get a better grade, but more is needed to provide accurate results.
The self-assessments in most institutions are free or have a small cost, and they can be used to assist with educational planning (choosing a major) or exploring options for future careers. They also offer tools to evaluate work interests, values, personality, and leisure skills. The tool will then provide some suggested occupations that might fit you well.
Study Skills
To progress through an online MSN informatics program, you must master concepts and prove you understand the material. This is done through tests, papers, and other assignments. Many programs also require a practicum to help you gain hands-on experience. Look for these requirements when evaluating potential schools. Nurses use technology more than any other discipline, and nursing informatics is a dynamic field that addresses today’s most challenging healthcare issues.
