School Rankings for Informatics

JustinAllen · Apr 18, 2012

Just thought I would bump this and see if anyone had any insight.

Thanks!

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Apr 18, 2012

I guess it would depend on what YOUR criteria ranking is for "top 10"

JustinAllen · Apr 18, 2012

Well actually my criteria doesn't matter that much :)

We all know that some schools are better than others, and while I absolutely agree that you get out what you put into anything...there is a difference between a top-ranked school and one that has not yet become top-ranked.

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Apr 18, 2012

How U.S. News Calculates the College Rankings

National Univeersity Methodology

How U.S. News Calculates the College Rankings - US News and World Report

"rankings allow you to compare at a glance the relative quality of institutions based on such widely accepted indicators of excellence as freshman retention and graduation rates and the strength of the faculty. And as you check out the data for colleges already on your short list, you may discover unfamiliar schools with similar metrics, and thus broaden your options. Yes, many factors other than those spotlighted here will figure in your decision, including location and the feel of campus life; the range of academic offerings, activities, and sports; and cost and the availability of financial aid. But if you combine the information on this site with college visits, interviews, and your own intuition, our rankings can be a powerful tool in your quest for the right college."

National University Rankings | Top National Universities | US News Best Colleges

Best Grad School rankings

Best Graduate Schools | Top Graduate Programs | US News Education

Several of top ranked schools noted above contain well respected and excellent healthcare, medical and nursing informatics masters programs. There are also several excellent Informatics Masters programs that are not listed. I'd say go by a combo of the university as a whole's reputation, the reputation of the informatics masters program and your own ranking criteria.

Examples: Northwestern University of Chicago has an excellent and world renowned reputation, although not an "Ivy League" school (criteria that some would include and others would not include in ranking it) it too has a medical informatics program , although not one I would choose as the program is too new for my taste and IMHO is not multi-disciplinary enough. I also know a few folks who have completed it's program and have not been able to find a job as the course work may not also be real-world enough. But those are some of my personal criteria for "ranking" a program.

Here is another one Duke- excellent school, excellent nursing informatics program but too expensive for my blood and definately not worth the ROI.

Would someone hire a Duke informatics grad over a Northwestern one? I seriously doubt it. That may be why you cant base your entire decision on selecting an informatics program on outside source ranking criteria but instead on a combo of that and your own criteria. After you insure that the program is accredited by the appropriate higher regional and national education bodies the rest is up to you.

Good luck

JustinAllen · Apr 18, 2012

Angela,

Excellent post and I thank you for the time you took to write it. I had seen those rankings, as well as one by the same source ranking on-line programs...and informatics just didn't have it's own category.

It is interesting that you mention Duke's program as they are one of two on my short list. The other is the University of Colorado's nursing informatics program. Both programs have different approaches and both programs emphasize different areas of the nursing informatics spectrum. Try as I might I cannot find anything directly comparing the two of them together.

Do you have any insight as to which one will prepare me better. And to help you out, let's say that I am looking for a CNIO position within 5-7 years. (Which I also know depends on many other factors, but let's try to be simple here:) )

ADDED: The difference in tuition is about $500.00 per credit hour or approx $20,000

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Apr 19, 2012

I'd say if you are looking for a CNIO position your program focus should probably be more towards leadership, managment and business - get a MBA with a concentration in IT management and increase or continue working in NI but with increased leadership and management responsiblities. What do you currently do? What is your current role within informatics or information systems?

Do you plan on ever teaching in a nursing program and so that is why you are looking at the concentration in NI? I'd say think broader than one specialty unless you want to each in a SON some day if not think about MBA in IT/HIT, health or even medical informatics. What about Nursing Informatics as opposed to the other concentrations are you passionate about?

Angela,
Excellent post and I thank you for the time you took to write it. I had seen those rankings, as well as one by the same source ranking on-line programs...and informatics just didn't have it's own category.
It is interesting that you mention Duke's program as they are one of two on my short list. The other is the University of Colorado's nursing informatics program. Both programs have different approaches and both programs emphasize different areas of the nursing informatics spectrum. Try as I might I cannot find anything directly comparing the two of them together.
Do you have any insight as to which one will prepare me better. And to help you out, let's say that I am looking for a CNIO position within 5-7 years. (Which I also know depends on many other factors, but let's try to be simple here:) )
ADDED: The difference in tuition is about $500.00 per credit hour or approx $20,000

JustinAllen · Apr 19, 2012

I actually have 20 plus years in business at the executive level with extensive experience in process development, software development, and hardware development, as well as capital management, ect. I am a new grad BSN student now (sold last company (tech company) and could not work in industry for 5 years) and believe that, in some respects, the cart is pulling the pony in regards to the process interaction between the nursing process, daily activities and the current development of the EMR software. I am also interested in new technology and a few of the obvious things about nursing informatics. I'll graduate with a BSN, a minor in healthcare management and a finance minor. I could get an MBA in a year...but that would not really help me out much in terms of experience vs degree honestly.

Obviously I don't know what I don't know which is the main reason I am going forward with a Masters degree. ANd, back to the previous question, looking at both Duke and CU to obtain that.

thahn14399 · Apr 26, 2012

I graduated in 2011 from Walden university. I earned a MSN with a specialty in Informatics. The classes were great and all onlne.

i am now in my first informatic job and appreciate the knowledge gained at Walden.

BEACHRN123 · Nov 27, 2012

I have been trying to determine the top 10 schools offering a Masters in Nursing Informatics and it seems like it's just about impossible to determine this. Many lists rank other specialities...but not for informatics.
Does anyone have any insight about how to gather this information?
Thanks!

I am actually responding to THAHN who attended Walden University for a Master's in Healthcare Infomatics. I am attending a seminar on Thursday night about their programs. What did you particularly like about their program? Were there any others you would recommend? I am from the Boston, MA area. Did you research any in-person or hybrid program? Did you get a job? Did they offer placement assistance? Thanks for any insight you can offer, or anyone else on nursing vs health informatics.

I have a BSN and a BS in Business Administration.

Thanks

InformaticsRN.MA · Dec 5, 2012

To Original Poster:

I graduted in August from UC Denver's Healthcare Informatics MS program and I would highly recommend it. Let me know if you are still looking for specifics.

sufernan · May 2, 2013

InformaticsRN.MA, Could you please send me contact information for UC Denver Nursing Informatics Program? I checked out their website and I have emailed 2 people but haven't heard from them. Thanks in advance.