Through an innovative partnership, Immaculata University’s M.S.N. in Nursing Informatics is now offered in conjunction with Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies’ graduate certificate in analytics for managers.

The new program in nursing informatics combines two credentials that integrate nursing science, computer science and information science to manage and communicate data and wisdom in nursing practice. Courses for the M.S.N. at Immaculata are delivered in a hybrid format that blends face-to-face and online course delivery. Courses for the analytics for managers program are held in-person and in a hybrid format at the Penn State Great Valley’s campus in Malvern.

“The need for nurses who possess advanced technology skills utilized within the health care field is expanding,” said Immaculata’s Pamela Hudson, associate professor and M.S.N. program director.

“As health care systems continue to leverage their data to improve patient care, it is essential to have nurses with advanced skills in analytics. Data analytics skills coupled within the advanced degree in nursing prepares individuals in a needed and growing field. This exciting collaboration with Penn State Great Valley will meet the needs of health care systems throughout the region,” said Angela Tekely, vice president for academic affairs and provost.

The new program is designed for those who earned a B.S.N. or another undergraduate degree. Students complete the 33-credit master’s degree and participate in a clinical practicum in informatics with a nurse informaticist. Immaculata’s M.S.N. majors, who meet admissions standards, can apply with no application fee and are guaranteed acceptance into Great Valley’s graduate certificate program.

Program graduates can pursue various technology-focused healthcare jobs within organizations where software systems collect data about patients. According to the Department of Labor, projected nursing informatics job growth through 2029 is 9%, which is much faster than the average for most professions. It is estimated there will be 70,000 nursing informatics specialists/analysts positions by 2025.

“Penn State Great Valley is excited to partner with Immaculata to offer data analytics skill sets to students in our Analytics for Managers certificate, including M.S.N. students. Analytics skills are among the most needed by employers in various industries and we look forward to welcoming these nurses into our classrooms,” said Ronnie Godshalk, associate chief academic officer and director of management program. 

For more information, contact Immaculata University’s Graduate Admissions office: gradadmission@immaculata.edu or 484-323-3005.

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