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Specialize Your MSN with Nursing Informatics Credentials
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Master’s in Nursing Informatics

If you love technology as much as you love nursing, choosing Nursing Informatics as the specialization for your Master of Science Nursing degree will show you how to use healthcare data to improve patient outcomes and reduce risk. Nursing Informatics is one of five specializations offered by our CCNE-accredited MSN program and is specifically designed to be 100% online for maximum flexibility.

jump to Curriculum

Join an upcoming MSN & BSN/MSN Bridge Q&A webinar!

Reserve your seat:

Tue., Feb. 2, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. MST

Tue., Feb. 16, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. MST

MSN (Term-Based) vs. MSN Powered by SIMPath®

Which method is right for you?

You can choose from a traditional term-based delivery method or a more flexible method utilizing virtual simulations called MSN Powered by SIMPath® to complete your degree.

MSN (Term-Based)

Ideal for learners who prefer a structured approach with more guidance and less emphasis on computer simulated learning environments.

  • Coursework is presented completely online
  • Monthly starts
  • Total of 12 term-based nursing courses
  • Structured 8-week courses
  • Complete 1-2 courses in 8 weeks
  • 8-week courses may be overlapped or spaced out
  • Courses are in a traditional format:
    • Highly structured courses with consistent due dates. Discussion posts are due on Wednesdays and papers are due on Monday mornings.
    • Regular peer interaction through discussion posts
    • Competencies are mainly demonstrated through writing papers
    • Fewer virtual simulation assignments

$560 per credit hour or $1,680 per course

Total standard tuition: Up to $20,160 (could be less depending on your transfer credits)

MSN Powered by SIMPath®

Ideal if you are self-disciplined and comfortable with technology. You can move through courses at you own pace and demonstrate your skills utilizing an array of methods. 

  • Coursework is presented completely online
  • Monthly starts
  • Register for 16-week semesters and complete the 12 courses at your own pace
  • Courses are in our Powered by SIMPath® format:
    • Show mastery of competencies in unique ways such as PowerPoint presentations, graphics, videos, papers or something completely new
    • Utilize digital resources such as Sentinel Data Labs to enhance the learning experience
    • Weekly meeting with your instructor and peers to keep you on track
    • No “due dates” – although all projects need to be submitted by the end of the 16-week semester

$4,000 per 16-week semester

Total standard tuition: $16,000 (based on completing graduate in four semesters – can be completed in fewer semesters)

Note: start with a maximum of 3 courses; add as your schedule permits

MSN Nursing Informatics Curriculum

A specialization in Nursing Informatics gives you a solid foundation in information processing along with the analytical skills you need to use data-driven insights to support best practices. American Sentinel’s rigorous curriculum covers a breadth of issues in nursing informatics, including the evaluation of legislation, policies and economics on healthcare systems.

Key courses include:

  • Clinical and Administrative Systems
  • Healthcare Informatics
  • Healthcare Project Management

M.S. Nursing, Nursing Informatics – Term-Based Curriculum

Completion of the MSN, nursing informatics specialization, requires 36 credit hours. Students may be eligible to transfer up to 18 credit hours from previous graduate study.

View more information on MSN practice experiences.


* Credit hours are equivalent to semester hours

M.S. Nursing, Nursing Informatics – Powered by SIMPath® Curriculum

Completion of the MSN, nursing informatics specialization, requires 36 credit hours. Students may be eligible to transfer up to 18 credit hours from previous graduate study.

View more information on MSN practice experiences.

* Credit hours are equivalent to semester hours

More on the MSN Nursing Informatics program

American Sentinel’s MSN Nursing Informatics graduates assume management roles in a wide variety of healthcare organizations where they:

  • Leverage clinical knowledge with data-driven insights
  • Evaluate and implement new technologies
  • Support decision-making with trending data
  • Manage regulatory compliance

Graduates of the MSN degree program, nursing informatics specialization, will be able to:

  • Utilize informatics in health care settings to improve patient outcomes.
  • Evaluate applications that acquire, process and report clinical and financial information to enhance patient care.
  • Demonstrate data management skills that target opportunities to improve patient safety.
  • Develop a detailed project management plan for evaluating, contracting and implementing new technologies to improve health outcomes and reduce risk.
  • Integrate roles as leaders and collaborators in various healthcare settings.
  • Use theoretical knowledge to guide advanced nursing practice.
  • Analyze models that expand the role of nurses in a global society.
  • Evaluate legislation, policies, and economics as applied to the current healthcare environment.
  • Appraise research to enhance professional nursing practice

All coursework for the Master of Science Nursing is 100% online and includes Practice experiences. Practice experiences do not involve hands-on patient care. Unlike the clinical experiences you completed to become a registered nurse, practice experiences are built in to your courses and do not add additional work.

Practice experiences are interactive learning opportunities where you get to apply the concepts you are learning to real world scenarios. They are an important requirement for accreditation, as it enables students to demonstrate educational competencies.

MSN Practice Experiences

To be at the forefront of nursing education, we not only strive to meet accreditors’ guidelines, but we also work to meet the needs of our nursing students. Both our students and AACN agree, nursing is a practice profession. So, to enhance the experience of our nursing students, we include Practice Experiences as part of our online MSN program. These experiences are built into the courses and do not add additional work. Instead, they offer more interactive learning assignments.

Read more about practice experiences >>

Types of Practice Experiences (PEs)

  • PRACTICE LEARNING EXPERIENCES (PLE): Course assignments that allow you to use what you learned in the online classroom out in the real world
  • SIMULATIONS (S): Assignments that involve participation in virtual settings
  • PRECEPTED PRACTICE EXPERIENCES (PPE): Course assignments that take place in the workplace or other healthcare settings

The mission of the MSN program is to prepare highly qualified professional nursing personnel to serve global healthcare communities as administrators, educators, and informatics specialists.

For information on program eligibility requirements, please visit the Master’s Program Admissions Requirements page.

Start Earning Your MSN Degree     Apply Now

You Can Afford It

Most American Sentinel students graduate debt free by taking advantage of flexible payment options and 0% financing. Comparing costs for higher education can be tricky. Find everything you need for a total cost comparison here and you’ll see why earning your MSN with American Sentinel offers great value.

What Our Students Are Saying

The professors, the affordability, the eight-week classes. It was time for me to finally make this happen. I was thinking about management and I didn’t want not having my master’s degree to hold me back.

Jessica Todd

Jessica Todd

MSN, Nursing Informatics with University of Missouri Healthcare

I’m so excited to reach this goal of achieving my master’s and I have recommended American Sentinel to others at my organization.

Deana Simpson

Deana Simpson

MSN, Nursing Informatics with Ascension Crittention Hospital

"There is a lot of opportunity where I am to grow and I’m excited that I’m now more prepared for that. With my education, I’m up to date on a field that is constantly changing, and I have the credentials to pursue my future goals."

Kristen Hale

Kristen Hale

MSN Nursing Informatics graduate, 2019