Duke University School of Nursing Launches Initiative to Empower Nurses with AI Training
With support from Johnson & Johnson, Duke is developing a continuing education curriculum to train nurses in the ethical and effective use of AI in clinical care.
Duke University School of Nursing announces the development of a Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) curriculum focused on artificial intelligence in healthcare, with support from Johnson & Johnson who has proudly advocated for, elevated, and empowered the nursing profession for 125 years. The goal of this new CNE curriculum is to equip practicing nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to ethically and effectively integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into patient care and practice settings.
The curriculum will be co-designed in collaboration with nursing leaders, community partners, and interdisciplinary experts. Curriculum offerings will be available to Registered Nurses, advanced practice nurses, and nurse administrators
Led by Dr. Michael P. Cary, Jr., Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing, the project builds on the internationally recognized work of Cary and his colleagues to mitigate bias in AI-enabled clinical algorithms. Most notably, their comprehensive review of 109 studies offers a roadmap for promoting responsible AI use in clinical settings and has reached more than 50 citations since being published in Health Affairs in October 2023.
“As AI tools rapidly transform healthcare delivery, nurses, who represent the largest segment of the healthcare workforce, remain underrepresented in formal AI training efforts,” said Dr. Cary. “While national programs are emerging for researchers and technical experts, there is a critical gap in CNE programs tailored to frontline nurses. This initiative directly addresses that need.”
“For more than a century, Johnson & Johnson has championed the nursing profession as the backbone of healthcare,” said Michele Morgan, Director of Nursing Programs and Strategy at Johnson & Johnson. “We believe the most impactful solutions are built in partnership with those closest to care, and as artificial intelligence increasingly shapes how care is delivered, it is essential that nurses are empowered to help lead its responsible adoption.”
Through the course, nurses will gain a strong foundation in artificial intelligence, understanding its applications, limitations, and ethical considerations in healthcare. They will learn how to effectively integrate AI tools into clinical workflows to enhance decision-making and patient care. Participants will also be trained to identify and mitigate bias in AI-driven health solutions, ensuring that these technologies promote equitable healthcare delivery across all populations.
“AI is reshaping how care is delivered, and nurses must be prepared to lead in this transformation,” said Dr. Sharron Docherty, Vice Dean for Research at Duke University School of Nursing. “By integrating AI into research and evidence-based practice, nurse scholars are empowered to drive innovation and improve health outcomes.”
Duke and Duke University School of Nursing have already led AI education through workshops and seminars and are actively collaborating with national organizations to develop standardized best practices.
“We are bringing together Duke’s leadership in the ethical and responsible use of AI in healthcare with Johnson & Johnson’s long-standing commitment to advancing nursing education,” said Dr. Sharlini Sankaran, Director of External Partnerships, Duke University. “The program reflects our shared vision for innovative, practice-informed learning and reinforces Duke’s strategy of building enduring, mission-aligned partnerships.”
Phase 1 of the project will begin with a national needs assessment in consultation with nursing organizations and stakeholders, followed by a pilot workshop for a cohort of nurses. With additional support, Phases 2 and 3 will culminate in a fully online, scalable CNE offering that is continuously updated to reflect the evolving state of AI in clinical practice.