Nursing and Healthcare Informatics is an evolving practice specialty that involves the synthesis of data and information into knowledge, while incorporating the ethical concerns of advocacy, privacy, confidentiality and security related to the use of data and information. The specialty also takes into consideration the impact that technology has on patient safety, delivery of healthcare, quality assurance, and the nursing process and helps connect clinical and technology perspectives. Healthcare organizations are increasingly demanding certification or advanced degrees of their informatics specialists, and the Nursing and Healthcare Informatics Certificate program prepares students for positions in a variety of organizations including hospitals, healthcare facilities, consulting firms, universities and corporations. In addition, at completion of the program the student may independently decide to pursue national certification through the CAHIMS or ANCC certification exam, and the certificate coursework will serve as preparation.
The certificate may be earned in conjunction with a degree program or as a stand-alone credential. (Students pursuing a stand-alone credential are not eligible for federal financial aid and may not participate in Commencement.) After the student applies for graduation, the certificate is posted to the student’s official transcript and an official diploma stating the area of the certificate is issued.
