Western Governors University

C798: Informatics System Analysis and Design

A study guide to WGU's C798, the MSN Nursing Informatics course on analyzing and designing a real-world health information system project.

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

C798 Informatics System Analysis and Design builds on Foundations in Nursing Informatics with a broad, systems-level look at health information systems and a real-world analysis and design project.

WGU's MSN Nursing Informatics (BSN to MSN) program guide lists it at three competency units in term four and recommends C790 as a prerequisite. The guide stresses interoperability, functionality, data access and user satisfaction, and asks students to integrate federal regulations, research principles and environmental health principles into their project.

The guide also ties every topic to patient care quality and safety. That is the lens evaluators expect: a well-designed system is one that helps nurses deliver safer care.

Course at a Glance

ItemDetails
UniversityWestern Governors University (WGU)
Course codeC798
LevelGraduate, competency-based
ProgramMSN Nursing Informatics (BSN to MSN)
Competency units3 (term 4); C790 recommended first
Typical workSystems analysis and design project, evaluation reports

What C798 Covers

The program guide lists five competencies:

Competency (summarized)Focus
Evaluate informatics systemsEffective versus ineffective interoperability, function, access and satisfaction
Compile analysis reportsImpact on consumers, families, communities and organizations
Apply research principles to data elementsDesigning systems that support clinical research
Research federal and other regulationChoosing systems and projects that comply
Evaluate ergonomics and environmental healthDesigning for the people and spaces that use the system

Key Concepts Explained

Levels of Interoperability

HIMSS describes four levels. Foundational interoperability lets one system send data to another. Structural interoperability preserves the data's format.

Semantic interoperability means the receiving system understands the meaning, through shared terminologies. Organizational interoperability adds the governance, policy and trust that make exchange work in practice.

Usability and User Satisfaction

A system can be technically sound and still fail if nurses find it slow or confusing. Usability testing, involving real users in realistic tasks, catches problems such as too many clicks, poorly placed alerts and unclear screens before go-live.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics covers the physical and cognitive fit between people and technology: screen height, workstation placement, device weight and mental workload.

Example: A barcode medication administration rollout uses scanners tethered to fixed workstations. Nurses start skipping scans for patients at the far end of rooms. The redesign adds wireless handheld scanners and mobile carts, and usability testing confirms scanning rates improve. The analysis links the ergonomic fix directly to medication safety.

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

WGU assesses competency through performance assessments or objective assessments; check your course page for the current format. The specialty also uses a clinical practice experience record and e-portfolio. Typical work includes:

Task typeWhat it testsHow to approach it
System evaluationJudging interoperability and usabilityUse clear criteria and evidence
Analysis reportStakeholder impactCover patients, staff and organization
Design projectLife cycle and requirementsMove from needs to design to evaluation
Regulatory reviewComplianceLink each rule to a design feature

Regulations to Consider

The regulatory competency asks you to research federal and other rules when selecting systems. Commonly relevant examples in the United States include:

Check current requirements from official sources, since rules and program names change.

Where Students Get Stuck

Study Tips for C798

How We Help with C798

Send the task instructions, rubric, templates and any feedback. A nursing informatics writer prepares a custom analysis and design, explains how to evaluate interoperability and usability, or reviews your draft. For specialty-wide support, see our nursing informatics assignment help guide.

GradeEssays is independent of Western Governors University. Our work is tutoring and reference material: use it to learn the approach, then write and submit your own work under WGU's academic integrity rules.

We never invent clinical data or practice experiences and never log in to student portals. Every order is written from scratch, with free revisions within the scope of your original request.

Design a System That Works for Nurses

Share your C798 instructions and draft. A nursing informatics writer prepares a model or reviews your project.

Start My C798 Help

Free revisions · Full refund if late · Written from scratch for your order

Frequently Asked Questions

How many competency units is C798?

WGU's MSN Nursing Informatics (BSN to MSN) program guide lists Informatics System Analysis and Design at three competency units, in term four.

Do I need C790 before C798?

The program guide recommends Foundations in Nursing Informatics as a prerequisite.

What is semantic interoperability?

It means a receiving system understands the meaning of shared data, usually through standard terminologies, not just its format.

Why does C798 include ergonomics?

The guide includes principles of ergonomics and environmental health in designing and implementing informatics projects, because physical and cognitive fit affects safe use.

Which regulations matter in C798?

Federal rules such as HIPAA, the HITECH Act and the 21st Century Cures Act are common examples. Always confirm current requirements.

Is GradeEssays affiliated with WGU?

No. We are an independent tutoring and writing service and are not connected with Western Governors University.