Online Bridge to MSN: Health Informatics Pathway

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Online Bridge to MSN: Health Informatics Pathway

Q: What are admission requirements for the MSN bridge pathway with a healthcare informatics emphasis?

This bridge pathway is designed for nurses who do not have a previous Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. For more specific information on admission requirements for your program, visit our admission page to learn more and fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.

Q: Does nursing health informatics involve a lot of math?

Nursing health informatics is not typically as math-heavy as other fields, like engineering or advanced statistics. While students may work with data, reports and basic analytics, the focus is on interpreting healthcare information and using technology to support clinical and operational decisions.

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Degree Level

Bridge

Class Setting

Online

Area of Study

Business

Program

Bridge - MSN: Health Informatics

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Overview

What Is a Bridge to an MSN: Health Informatics Online Pathway?

Transform your healthcare career at the intersection of two fields: healthcare and information technology. The Bridge (Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Health Informatics) pathway is for experienced RNs who do not hold a BSN and desire to gain admittance into master’s-level health informatics nursing studies.

A non-nursing bachelor’s degree is required for this healthcare informatics bridge pathway. You will have the opportunity to gain foundational knowledge in preparation to apply for the Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Health Informatics program, offered through the College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions. The MSN program teaches you to utilize data, information and statistics to inform patient outcomes, reduce costs and optimize operational efficiency.

New Online Undergraduate Nursing Student Scholarship

Save 8% on tuition when you start your program, if you qualify.^{(See disclaimer ¤)}

Apply Today!

Bridge (Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Health Informatics)

Offered By

College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $345 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 24

Online: 5 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission.

Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.

Why GCU

Benefits of the MSN Bridge Pathway at GCU

This online health informatics pathway at GCU offers nurses a structured opportunity to transition into graduate-level nursing education while expanding their expertise in healthcare data and technology. Developed upon GCU’s mission-driven approach and Christian worldview, the program encourages ethical leadership and patient-centered decision-making in a data-driven healthcare environment. Courses are led by experienced faculty with backgrounds in nursing practice and healthcare systems, helping students connect informatics concepts with practical clinical applications.

The MSN bridge pathway is offered in an online^{(See disclaimer 1)} format for busy adult learners. This program also includes a practicum experience to be completed locally. Prepare for entry into the MSN program by completing courses on your schedule. You will also have access to online learning resources and support while you complete your studies.

All Online MSN Bridge Pathways

Coursework

Nursing Health Informatics Course Topics

Through nursing health informatics courses, you will be taught critical foundations of healthcare informatics and nursing.

These include:

Nursing management

Health assessment

Statistical analysis

Research

Community and public health models

Pathophysiology

FAQ

Bridge MSN: Health Informatics FAQs

If you’re looking for an option that offers you the opportunity to apply to master’s-level nursing studies, read through our frequently asked questions to learn more about completing the online health informatics bridge pathway.

What are admission requirements for the MSN bridge pathway with a healthcare informatics emphasis?

What degree do you need for health informatics careers?

Many health informatics careers, especially in nursing informatics, prefer or require a master’s-level nursing degree.^{(See disclaimer 2)} Some RNs can gain entry to health informatics programs by obtaining a BSN degree. However, if you are a nurse without a BSN, this bridge pathway can help you prepare for entry into your MSN health information program by teaching you critical nursing knowledge and helping you establish a basis for advanced nursing informatics studies.

What is health informatics and how does health informatics apply to nursing?

Health informatics focuses on how information technology can be used to inform patient outcomes through analyzing and gathering health records and data. Efficient access to accurate medical records is of crucial importance in the healthcare field for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Nursing informatics puts the role of the nurse into this setting, integrating nursing science with information and analytical sciences. The role of nurses in this specialty includes responsibilities such as identifying, defining, managing and communicating data, information knowledge and wisdom into their nursing practice.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Does nursing health informatics involve a lot of math?

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

Major24 credits

Degree Requirements24 credits

Core Courses

NRS-415

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, the role of the professional nurse, and the importance of effective nursing leadership. Standards of practice, differentiated nursing practice, professional accountability, interprofessional collaboration, and quality improvement are emphasized with importance placed on the application of leadership styles and management skills.

NRS-420

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on methods of health history taking, physical examination skills, and documentation. Learners integrate assessment skills and clinical judgment/reasoning in identifying actual or potential health problems and needs across the life span. Health promotion strategies are incorporated to provide for the unique needs of the individual, ensuring person-centered care. Learners design plans of care based on evidence-based research and practice.

NRS-425

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the community as the patient taking into account varying cultures, spiritual values, geographic norms, and economic conditions. The course examines social determinants of health, including social, legal, and political variables impacting individual, community, and population health across the life span. Learners use epidemiological data, functional health pattern assessments, and nursing theories to plan and intervene in areas of health promotion and disease prevention across the life span.

NRS-455

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is designed to build upon existing knowledge of the pathophysiological processes of disease as they affect patients across the life span, recognizing the nurse's multidimensional role in health promotion and disease management and prevention, which include biological, environmental, social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. Integration of nutritional and pharmacological concepts encourages critical thinking and application of nursing interventions. Prerequisite: NRS-420.

HLT-362V

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This is an introductory course on concepts of statistics, emphasizing applications to health care professions. The course is designed to prepare learners to understand concepts of statistics and the appropriateness of statistical methods used in published research papers and a variety of settings. Areas of emphasis include an introduction to the statistical analysis concepts of variable/reliability factors; P values; experimental design; descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and mode; sampling methods; and power analysis.

NRS-445

3 Total Credits

NRS-465

6 Total Credits

Course Description

The final course in the program is writing-intensive. It will integrate the academic and practical knowledge learners have acquired throughout the program’s curriculum. Learners participate in planned clinical experiences that refine professional competencies at the baccalaureate level and enable them to integrate new knowledge and enhanced skills to advance nursing practice. Clinical practice hours are dedicated to learning objectives in leadership and community health. The evidence-based project provides learners an opportunity to identify a clinical nursing practice issue and propose a possible solution. Learners, under the guidance of faculty and approved preceptors, identify and analyze a nurse practice issue, develop a change project, and propose an evidence-based solution that reflects synthesis and integration of course content and professional practice. The evidence-based project development is guided by the baccalaureate program learning outcomes. Clinical hours: 40. Prerequisite: NRS-415, NRS-420, NRS-425, HLT-362V, NRS-445, PHI-413V, NRS-450, NRS-455, NRS-460.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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Information

Admission

Turn Nursing Insight Into Data-Driven Impact

Explore how GCU’s MSN health informatics pathway can help you expand your expertise in healthcare technology and data systems while continuing your journey in advanced nursing practice.

Apply Now

^{(See disclaimer ¤)} MOU 10419: The New Undergraduate Nursing Student Scholarship is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application, meet all requirements for acceptance and start their program. If you enroll in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Bridge to Master of Science in Nursing pathway through our online offerings, we will award you 8% off the tuition per course for your program. This scholarship excludes the Associate Degree in Pre-Nursing, accelerated BSN program and Concurrent Enrollment Pathways. This scholarship will be applied at the same time the tuition charges occur. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship. This scholarship will be applied toward your tuition only, and you will not receive funds in excess of your charges.

Clinical, practicum and immersion hours completed locally.
Srakocic, S. (2026, March 3). Here Are the Degree Options Available To Become a Nurse Informaticist. All Nursing Schools. Retrieved March 2026.
Nurse.com. (2025, July 15). What Is Nursing Informatics?. Retrieved June 2023.

Online Bridge to MSN: Health Informatics Pathway

Step 1: Educational Interests

What Is a Bridge to an MSN: Health Informatics Online Pathway?

Benefits of the MSN Bridge Pathway at GCU

Nursing Health Informatics Course Topics

Complete Your Bridge Pathway From an Accredited University

Bridge MSN: Health Informatics FAQs

Program Curriculum

Core Courses