Welcome to The EPMA Hub – Your Digital Pharmacy Knowledge Base



Become a Clinical Informatics Nurse

Introduction
Clinical Informatics Nurses are at the forefront of digital transformation in healthcare. Combining hands-on clinical experience with digital innovation, they work to ensure that electronic systems are safe, user-friendly, and truly support patient care. Whether configuring EPR systems, advising on digital projects, or shaping national strategies, these professionals are bridging the gap between nursing practice and technology every day.

What is a Clinical Informatics Nurse?
A Clinical Informatics Nurse is a registered nurse who uses their clinical knowledge to influence the design, development, and optimisation of digital health systems. These roles span from local Trust-based projects to national programmes, ensuring that digital tools meet the real-world needs of patients and staff.
You might work on:
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Implementing and configuring EPR systems
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Supporting digital safety and governance
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Leading training, adoption, and change management
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Acting as a key voice between technical teams and clinical users

Essential Skills & Qualities
While no two digital nurses are the same, some common skills include:
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Solid understanding of clinical workflows
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Digital literacy and confidence using healthcare IT
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Analytical thinking and attention to detail
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Strong communication and stakeholder engagement
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A passion for improving patient care through innovation

Career Pathways
There’s no one “right” route into clinical informatics nursing. Many nurses first engage with digital systems as part of their clinical role, perhaps helping test new charting tools, supporting EPR go-lives, or joining working groups.
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Typical roles include:
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Digital Nurse / Digital Midwife
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CNIO (Chief Nursing Information Officer)
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Digital Transformation Lead
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Clinical Safety Officer (CSO) – with training
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Project Nurse / Programme Nurse
Some roles are part-time and paired with clinical shifts, while others are full-time secondments or permanent digital posts.

Training & Qualifications
At a minimum, you’ll need to be a registered nurse (NMC). Beyond that, career development varies widely depending on your role and aspirations.
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You might consider:
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Health Informatics modules or postgraduate study
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NHS Digital Academy or Digital Health Leadership Programme
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Vendor certifications (e.g. Cerner, Epic) if working with a specific EPR
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Local Trust-led CPD in digital transformation or change management

First Steps
Getting started often begins with getting involved:
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Volunteer to support digital rollouts on your ward
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Join local digital working groups or safety governance meetings
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Shadow a digital nurse or informatics project team
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Attend conferences or virtual events like Digital Health Rewired
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Network via the BCS Nursing Specialist Group or Faculty of Clinical Informatics
Start small and grow your digital confidence over time, you don’t need to be a tech expert to get involved.

Resources & Next Steps
Looking to develop the right skills? Check out our Learning Programs on digital transformation, clinical safety, and stakeholder engagement.
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Got questions? Join the conversation in our Forum and connect with others on the same journey.

Summary
Clinical Informatics Nursing is an exciting and evolving field, offering a unique blend of clinical practice, digital transformation, and system-wide impact. Whether you're just starting to explore digital roles or ready to step into a full-time informatics post, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Explore more roles in digital healthcare through our Clinical Informatics page.
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