Nurse Abstractor Career Guide
How to Become a Nurse Abstractor
A nurse abstractor is responsible for turning patient data into useful and actionable information. If you’re familiar with medical technology and software, then this might be the role for you. Your job will be to delve into patient records to find crucial information and ensure it gets into the hands of those who need it in a timely manner.
What Is a Nurse Abstractor?
A nurse abstractor analyzes patient files to find key data and information and passes that on to the doctors and nurses who need it. Your job is to digitize and work with patient records, analyzing them for trends that can improve the standard of care and diagnostics, while staying ahead of the latest advances in medical technology.
This role provides actionable information to doctors, nurses, and all those who work in a healthcare setting. Your job leads directly to improved quality of care, a better patient experience, and increased savings for the healthcare administrative departments.
What Does a Nurse Abstractor Do?
What exactly does a nurse abstractor do on an average day? Here are just some of the tasks that you might be asked to perform:
- Abstracting and reviewing patient data. A nurse abstractor’s main job is to analyze patient files, abstract the relevant information from them, and enter those details wherever necessary. These days, you’ll probably be working with healthcare software, so a familiarity with these types of programs and being comfortable working at a computer is a must.
- Ensuring ease of access. Getting vital patient information to the people who need it most is a key part of your job. You’ll have to liaison with other office members and healthcare staff in your place of work to make sure that there are no problems with data access. You’ll also be overseeing procedures to ensure ease of access.
- Analyzing and understanding information. Medical staff are often working in high-pressure environments and need access to pertinent patient information quickly and easily. There is no margin for delays or errors. With that in mind, you might be asked to design and create programs to help healthcare providers understand the statistics and data that you’re working with and access them promptly.
How Do I Become a Nurse Abstractor?
Step One: Become a Registered Nurse and Earn a Degree
Becoming a registered nurse (RN) would be highly beneficial for this kind of role, giving you the medical knowledge and skills necessary to thrive. You may be able to become a registered nurse through a prelicensure degree, or if you already have a nursing diploma or associate degree in nursing, an RN-to-BSN degree program could help you enhance your credentials quickly and be more prepared for this kind of career.
Similarly, a master’s degree in nursing can be key in helping you move forward into this kind of role. An MSN focused on leadership and management can help you step into a nurse abstractor role by giving you a broader understanding of management, communication, and the business side of healthcare.
Step Two: Gain Work Experience
You need around three years of work experience before you can get certified as a nurse abstractor. Healthcare software, medical economics, and medical office administration are the key areas you need to gain experience in during this time, so a job in a healthcare setting is a must. Consider applying for jobs at hospitals and care centers to fulfill this requirement.
Step Three: Certification
To receive certification as a Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA), you can take an exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). It consists of around 130 to 160 questions that are to be completed in three and a half hours. The test covers topics such as:
- Data management
- Business needs assessment
- Analytics and interpretation
- Data acquisition
This test is computer-based. According to the AHIMA, this certificate recognizes those who are experts in health data and analysis. It provides the knowledge required to manage and interpret this information, while not losing track of the “big picture” in your work environment.
Once you’ve successfully earned this certificate, you’ll be ready to enter the workplace as a fully-fledged nurse abstractor.
Best Degrees for Nurse Abstractors
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: offered in FL, IN, TX, and UT only.
- Tuition and fees: $6,575 per 6-month term.
WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's Degree in Health Services Coordination instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
College of Health Professions
Nursing – Leadership and Management (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a...
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and...
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap toward becoming a nurse leader.
- Time: 75% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 42 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,795 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion, $4,385 per 6-month term during graduate portion, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
Some careers and jobs this degree will prepare you for:
- Director of Nursing
Chief Nursing Officer
Quality Director
Clinical Nurse Leader
Project Manager
If you're driven to lead, this online nursing degree will provide you everything needed to make that career a reality.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees by clicking the button below.
College of Health Professions
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking...
An online BSN degree program for registered...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: 66% of graduates finish within 18 months.
- Tuition and Fees: $3,795 per 6-month term, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
- Transfers: On average, students transfer 81 credits.
With over 35,000 BSN alumni, this is one of WGU's most popular online degree programs. View our RN to BSN degree guide.
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's Degree in Health Services Coordination instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
College of Health Professions
Nursing – Leadership and Management (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for...
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree...
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for greater responsibility:
- Time: 82% of grads finish within 24 months.
- Tuition and fees: $4,385 per 6-month term, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
Sample careers and jobs this degree program will prepare you for:
- Director of Nursing
Chief Nursing Officer
Quality Director
Clinical Nurse Leader
Project Manager
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical and health services managers to grow 17% by 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees by clicking the button below.
College of Health Professions
Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long
No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
What Skills Does a Nurse Abstractor Need?
A nurse abstractor needs a wide variety of skills to be effective in their role. Here are just some of them listed below.
- Project management skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- A keen understanding of the healthcare system
- Clear communication skills
- Knowledge of medical practices and requirements
- The ability to work as part of a team
- Computer literate, especially in the latest healthcare software
How Much do Nurse Abstractors Make?
$69,000
According to Glassdoor, a registered nurse abstractor can expect to earn a yearly salary of around $69,000. Those on the high end of the scale will pull in about $102,000, and your salary will largely depend on your education level.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
7%
While specific data for a nurse abstractor is absent from the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), the statistics for registered nurses are very healthy. The BLS anticipates a 7% growth between the 2019 to 2029 period alone. That’s an expected 175,900 job openings per year, so it shouldn’t be difficult for you to find employment once you’ve finished your education and received your certification.
Where Do Nurse Abstractors Work?
Remote
If you become a nurse abstractor, commuting might be a thing of the past. Because you’re working in data organization and analysis, all of this work can be done from the comfort of your own home. Nurse abstractors are employed by hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities to help manage patient data and information.