Course Description: NURS 5051 / NURS 6051 – Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology
(Walden University – Graduate Nursing Program)Course Number: NURS 5051 / NURS 6051
Credits: 5 quarter credits
Prerequisites: Admission to MSN or DNP program (or equivalent graduate standing); often taken early in the curriculum.
Delivery Format: Online (asynchronous with possible synchronous elements)
Duration: Typically 11 weeks Course OverviewNursing informatics is essential to the provision of effective, efficient, safe, and patient-centered care in today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. This foundational graduate-level course examines nursing informatics as both a core nursing competency and a distinct nursing specialty. Students explore the integration of information technology, data management, and knowledge generation to support clinical decision-making, improve healthcare outcomes, and advance nursing practice across diverse settings—including acute care, ambulatory clinics, public health, consumer health, and organizational systems.Drawing from the foundational text Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge (McGonigle & Mastrian), the course emphasizes the role of nurses as knowledge workers who collect, access, analyze, and apply health information to solve complex problems, promote quality care, and drive innovation. Students gain practical and theoretical understanding of how informatics tools and systems transform nursing workflows, enhance interprofessional collaboration, and contribute to evidence-based practice.NURS 5051 and NURS 6051 are often cross-listed or equivalent courses (with NURS 6051 typically designated for MSN/DNP tracks and NURS 5051 for certain bridge or foundational programs), sharing the same core content and competencies.Course Objectives / Student Learning OutcomesBy the end of the course, students will be able to:Explain the concept of the nurse as a knowledge worker and articulate the relationship between data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice.
Define key concepts in nursing informatics, including its evolution as a specialty and its alignment with ANA scope and standards.
Analyze the role of the nurse informaticist in healthcare organizations, including interactions with data/technology specialists, clinicians, administrators, and other stakeholders.
Evaluate the impact of health information technologies (e.g., electronic health records [EHRs], clinical decision support systems, telehealth, mobile health, and data analytics) on nursing practice, patient safety, quality of care, and healthcare outcomes.
Examine ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations in nursing informatics, including data privacy (HIPAA), security, interoperability, and equity in access to technology.
Assess strategies for successful implementation, adoption, and evaluation of health information systems using frameworks such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Diffusion of Innovations, and systems life cycle approaches.
Recommend evidence-based solutions to informatics-related challenges in clinical, organizational, public health, and consumer settings.
Create professional communication products (e.g., infographics, policy briefs, or presentations) that demonstrate understanding of nursing informatics principles and the nurse’s role in technology transformation.
Major Course Topics / Weekly Outline (Typical 11-Week Structure)Introduction to Nursing Informatics & the Nurse as Knowledge Worker Data-information-knowledge-wisdom (DIKW) framework
Evolution of nursing informatics as a specialty
Foundations of Nursing Informatics Historical perspectives and current scope/standards
Role of informatics in evidence-based practice
Health Information Systems & Technologies Electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support, computerized provider order entry (CPOE)
Interoperability standards (HL7, FHIR)
Data, Information, and Knowledge Management Data collection, storage, retrieval, and analysis
Big data, analytics, and predictive modeling in healthcare
Informatics in Clinical Practice & Patient Care Technology’s impact on patient safety, quality, and outcomes
Consumer health informatics and patient portals
System Implementation & Change Management Systems development life cycle (SDLC)
Barriers to adoption and strategies for successful implementation
Ethical, Legal, & Security Issues Privacy, confidentiality, security, and cybersecurity
Ethical dilemmas in health IT
Informatics in Public Health & Organizational Settings Population health informatics, telehealth, and mHealth
Interprofessional collaboration and informatics leadership
Emerging Technologies & Future Directions Artificial intelligence, machine learning, wearable devices, genomics informatics
Trends in healthcare transformation (2026 context: AI-driven decision support, blockchain for data integrity, virtual care expansion)
Synthesis & Application Capstone assignments integrating concepts into real-world scenarios
Required & Recommended TextsPrimary Text: McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (latest edition, e.g., 5th or 6th). Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Additional readings: ANA Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice; peer-reviewed articles on current informatics trends; Walden-provided resources (e.g., media, case studies).
Assessment Methods (Typical Breakdown)Discussions & responses (weekly) – 20–30%
Assignments (e.g., infographics on knowledge worker role, policy analysis, system evaluation) – 30–40%
Major project/paper (e.g., informatics implementation proposal or analysis of a health IT policy) – 20–30%
Quizzes or knowledge checks – 10–20%
Who Should Take This Course?This course is ideal for MSN, DNP, or post-master’s certificate students seeking to develop competencies in nursing informatics. It is particularly valuable for nurses in leadership, education, clinical practice, or quality improvement roles who want to leverage technology to improve patient care, enhance workflows, and contribute to healthcare transformation.Note: Course content and requirements may vary slightly by term, instructor, or program track (e.g., MSN vs. DNP). Always refer to the current Walden University catalog, syllabus, and Brightspace course shell for the most accurate and up-to-date information.