What the Course Entails and Exam Details

This foundational course equips students with the knowledge needed to synthesize nursing science with data management and communication technologies. The curriculum explores the pivotal role of the informatics nurse in diverse healthcare settings and emphasizes the transforming of data into wisdom to support evidence-based practice.

Key core topics and skills covered in the course and evaluated on the exam include:

• Informatics Theories and Models: Mastering the DIKW (Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom) Metaparadigm and other systems and change management theories.

• Health Information Systems (HIS): Understanding the lifecycle of electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support systems (CDSS), and their role in patient safety and quality improvement.

• System Analysis and Design: Basic principles of selecting, implementing, and evaluating healthcare technologies.

• Standardized Terminologies: Knowledge of common terminologies (e.g., SNOMED-CT, LOINC, NANDA-I) essential for interoperability.

• Data Management and Analytics: Concepts of data quality, data mining, and using data to inform data-driven decisions.

• Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues: Navigating HIPAA, data privacy, security, and the social determinants of health affected by digital tools.

• Patient Safety and Quality: Leveraging technology for error reduction, quality reporting, and improving outcomes.

What to Expect in the Final Exam

The final assessment for C790 is a high-stakes, objective assessment (OA). It is not a practical exam or a project; rather, it is a formal, proctored test designed to measure your cognitive understanding of the course material.

Exam Format: The exam consists entirely of multiple-choice questions. These range from recall of definitions to complex, scenario-based questions that require applying informatics concepts to real-world clinical situations. You might be asked to identify the correct stage of the DIKW hierarchy in a scenario or to choose the best implementation strategy for a new clinical alert.

Time Limit: Students are typically allotted a generous but fixed time limit, usually around 2 to 3 hours, to complete the exam.

Passing Score Requirements: WGU does not release a specific numerical passing score (e.g., 70%). Instead, the exam is graded on a pass/fail basis. You must demonstrate competency across all domains covered in the assessment to achieve a passing grade.

Specific Rules: As this is a proctored exam, you must take it in a private room free of distractions. You are required to have a clear workspace and a working webcam and microphone so that an external proctor can monitor you throughout the session to ensure academic integrity.

How to Study and Exam Centers

Preparation for the C790 OA requires a structured and active study approach.

Actionable Study Strategies:

1. Utilize WGU’s Provided Learning Resources: Start by thoroughly reading the assigned textbook chapters and engaging with all learning modules within the WGU student portal. The provided study guide and practice quizzes are your best alignment tools.

2. Master the Pre-Assessment (PA): Take the WGU C790 Pre-Assessment early. The PA is designed to mimic the OA in style, difficulty, and coaching reports. Analyze your PA coaching report meticulously; it shows exactly which domains you mastered and where you need improvement. Focus your remaining study time on your weak areas. Many students recommend being able to comfortably pass the PA without notes before attempting the OA.

3. Active Recall and Spaced Repetition: Use flashcards (physical or digital like Anki) for key terms, theories, models, and legislations (like the HITECH Act or HIPAA). Instead of re-reading, quiz yourself on the concepts regularly.

4. Practice Scenario-Based Questions: Look for practice questions that require application, not just memorization. The YouTube channels dedicated to WGU informatics tutoring often review these types of questions.

5. Focus on the DIKW Model: This is a recurring and foundational concept. Ensure you can distinguish between data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in any given clinical example.

How to Take the Exam: The NURS5745 C790 exam is taken online and is proctored remotely.

Exam Centers: There are no specific physical testing centers like Pearson VUE required for this specific WGU internal objective assessment. You will take the exam from the comfort of your own home or office using WGU’s authorized online proctoring service (e.g., Examity). You must schedule your exam in advance through your WGU student portal. You will need to install the proctoring software, meet the technical requirements (webcam, microphone, strong internet), and have a government-issued photo ID ready for verification by the proctor at the start of your scheduled session.

Job Opportunities from the Course

Successfully completing this course and earning your MSN in Nursing Informatics from WGU unlocks numerous career paths outside of traditional bedside care. Informatics nurses are in high demand across the healthcare spectrum, bridging the gap between clinical practice and IT.

Here are specific job titles and career paths this educational pathway unlocks:

• Informatics Nurse Specialist

• Clinical Informatics Manager

• EHR Implementation Specialist

• Clinical Analyst / Health Data Analyst

• Clinical Decision Support Specialist

• Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO)

• Healthcare IT Consultant

• Nursing Informatics Educator / Faculty

• Telehealth Coordinator

• Quality Improvement Coordinator (Informatics-Focused)

• Project Manager (Healthcare Information Systems)

• Clinical Applications Support

• Nurse Informaticist in Research

This course provides the fundamental vocabulary and theoretical framework needed to thrive in any of these specialized roles.