University of Maryland Global Campus

NURS 372: Introduction to Healthcare Informatics Technology in Nursing

A study guide to UMGC's NURS 372, the RN-to-BSN course on communication and information technologies used in patient-centered nursing practice.

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

NURS 372 introduces the technologies nurses use to communicate, gather data and document care. It sits in the UMGC RN-to-BSN major after NURS 352.

UMGC describes it as a study of communication and information technologies used in patient-centered nursing practice at healthcare system, community and population levels, including compliance with ethical, legal and regulatory standards.

The goal is to identify types of technology to gather data, generate knowledge, collaborate and promote accurate documentation. Working nurses use these tools daily, so the challenge is analyzing them rather than just using them.

Course at a Glance

ItemDetails
UniversityUniversity of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
Code and titleNURS 372, Introduction to Healthcare Informatics Technology in Nursing
Credits3
LevelUndergraduate, upper level
Who can take itOpen only to students majoring in Nursing for Registered Nurses
Prerequisite or corequisiteNURS 352
Credit ruleCredit for only one of NURS 372 or NURS 305

What NURS 372 Covers

Area in UMGC's descriptionWhat it means in practice
Communication and information technologiesRecords, messaging, monitoring and other tools in nursing care
Patient-centered practice at system, community and population levelsHow technology works in single units and across whole populations
Ethical, legal and regulatory standardsPrivacy, security and professional requirements
Evidence on healthcare technologySummarizing research using clinical judgment
Gathering data and generating knowledgeTurning records into information that supports decisions
Collaboration and accurate documentationSharing information safely and recording care properly

Key Concepts Explained

Technology Across Levels

The same tool can be seen at three levels. For one patient it supports safe care. For a system it supports efficiency and reporting. For a population it supports tracking trends. Strong answers say which level they are discussing.

Invented illustration: An electronic record helps one nurse see a patient's allergies at the bedside. It helps a hospital audit medication safety. It helps a health department track vaccination rates across a community.

Documentation and Compliance

Accurate documentation is clear, timely and truthful. Compliance means following the privacy and security rules that apply to your setting, and knowing why they exist.

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

Use the instructions and rubric in your UMGC class. The table describes kinds of work suggested by the course description, not an official list.

Work typeWhat it testsHow to approach it
Technology analysis paperEvaluating a tool in practiceDescribe the tool, its benefits, risks and a recommendation
Ethics and regulation reviewApplying privacy and legal standardsName the standard and what it means for nurses
Evidence summaryUsing research on technologySummarize two or three studies and what they imply

Analyzing a Tool in Four Steps

Pick any technology used in nursing and walk it through four steps, using sources at each step.

Ending with a short recommendation, such as better training or a workflow change, turns description into analysis.

A Worked Walk-Through

This walk-through uses invented details.

The example weighs benefit and risk, cites evidence and ends with an action.

How to Prepare Before Each Assignment

Start by reading the rubric and underlining every verb, such as identify, summarize, apply or evaluate. Each verb is a different level of thinking, and papers lose marks when they only identify but are asked to evaluate. Then find three or four recent sources, note the one claim each supports and outline your paper before writing sentences. This small routine saves time during revision.

Also check the connection to NURS 352. Search and appraisal skills from that course apply directly when you summarize evidence on technology, so reuse your checklist.

Where Students Get Stuck

Study Tips for NURS 372

How We Help with NURS 372

Send the prompt, rubric and your notes. A nursing writer can prepare a custom analysis, edit your draft or explain a concept. See our nursing informatics assignment help guide.

GradeEssays is independent of the University of Maryland Global Campus. Our work is a study and reference aid; complete and submit your own work under UMGC's academic integrity policy. We cannot promise a grade. Orders are written from scratch, plagiarism-checked, include free revisions within the scope of your original request and are refunded in full if late.

Make Your Informatics Assignment Clearer

Share the prompt, rubric and your notes. A nursing writer prepares a model you can learn from, or edits your own draft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many credits is NURS 372?

UMGC lists NURS 372 as a 3-credit course.

What is the prerequisite?

UMGC lists NURS 352 as a prerequisite or corequisite.

Can I take both NURS 372 and NURS 305?

No. UMGC says students may receive credit for only one of NURS 372 or NURS 305.

Who can take NURS 372?

UMGC lists it as open only to students majoring in Nursing for Registered Nurses.

Does the course cover ethics and regulation?

Yes. UMGC lists complying with ethical, legal and regulatory standards in healthcare information technologies.

Can you write my paper for submission?

No. We provide custom papers, editing and tutoring only, and you submit your own work.