Online MSN Bridge Pathway: Health Informatics Emphasis

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 admissions page to learn more and fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.

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Degree Level

Bridge

Class Setting

Online

Area of Study

Business

Program

Bridge - MSN: Health Informatics

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U.S. Citizen

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Country

United States

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Overview

Pursue a Health Informatics Bridge Pathway in Your Nursing Career

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 Health Care Professions. The MSN program teaches RNs to utilize data, information and statistics to inform patient outcomes, reduce costs and optimize operational efficiency.

10% Off Undergraduate Nursing Program Tuition

You may receive a 10% off tuition scholarship if you enroll in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Bridge to Master of Science in Nursing pathway in March 2026. See if you qualify.^{(See disclaimer ¤)}

Enroll By March 31

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: $340 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

Using emerging technology, this nursing health informatics bridge pathway positions nursing leaders to apply leading edge theories and methods toward the generation, management and sharing of healthcare data.

View All Bridge MSN Pathways

Patient Safety

Nursing Education

Nursing Leadership

Public Health Nursing

Acute Care Nurse

Family Nurse Practitioner

Enjoy Flexibility With the Online Health Informatics Bridge Pathway¹

The MSN bridge pathway is offered in an online 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 online courses on your schedule.^{(See disclaimer 1)} You will also have access to online learning resources and support while you complete your studies.

Coursework

Nursing Health Informatics Course Topics

Through nursing health informatics focused 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

Accreditation

Complete Your Bridge Pathway From an Accredited University

GCU is an institutionally accredited university and has been so since 1968. After completing this bridge pathway from GCU, you will be eligible to enter the MSN health informatics program. For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit our University Accreditation and Regulations page.

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 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?

Health informatics careers typically require a master’s-level nursing degree. Many RNs can gain entry to these 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 2)}

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. Students 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

Course Description

This writing-intensive course promotes the use of research findings as a basis for improving clinical practice. Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are analyzed with an emphasis on the critical review of research studies and their application to clinical practice. Students develop evidence-based practice recommendations from the critical analysis of available literature guided by a PICOT question. Prerequisite: HLT-362V.

NRS-465

6 Total Credits

Course Description

The final course in the program is writing-intensive. It will integrate the academic and practical knowledge students have acquired throughout the program’s curriculum. Students 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 students an opportunity to identify a clinical nursing practice issue and propose a possible solution. Students, 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: 100. 50 hours in leadership and 50 hours in community health. 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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Fill out the form on this page to learn more about this health informatics bridge program from GCU.

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^{(See disclaimer ¤)} MOU 10380: The New Undergraduate Nursing Student Spring Scholarship is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application, meet all requirements for acceptance and start their undergraduate nursing program in March 2026. 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 (excluding the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions' accelerated BSN program), we will award you 10% off the tuition per course for your program. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship/awards. 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.
American Nursing Association. (2014). Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Ed. Retrieved June 21, 2023.

Online MSN Bridge Pathway: Health Informatics Emphasis

Pursue a Health Informatics Bridge Pathway in Your Nursing Career

Benefits of the MSN Bridge Pathway

Enjoy Flexibility With the Online Health Informatics Bridge Pathway1

Nursing Health Informatics Course Topics

Complete Your Bridge Pathway From an Accredited University

Bridge MSN: Health Informatics FAQs

Program Curriculum

Core Courses

Enjoy Flexibility With the Online Health Informatics Bridge Pathway¹