Duke Launches New AI Specialization for Nurses in Clinical Practice
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, nurses are encountering AI-powered tools in their daily practice, from risk prediction models and clinical alerts to documentation support and patient prioritization systems. Yet many clinicians have had little formal training on how these technologies work, their limitations, or how to incorporate them appropriately into patient care.
To help address this growing need, Duke University School of Nursing is launching AI in Nursing Practice: Foundations for Quality and Safety, a new three-course Coursera Specialization designed specifically for nurses and other healthcare professionals. Developed by expert faculty in nursing, clinical science and data science, the program provides a practical introduction to AI and its role in modern healthcare.
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 colleagues to mitigate bias in AI-enabled clinical algorithms.
"Artificial intelligence is already influencing patient care in ways that many nurses may not realize,” said Cary. “Our goal is to help nurses understand how these tools work, recognize their strengths and limitations, and use them safely and ethically while ensuring that professional nursing judgement always leads.”
"Nurses are on the front lines of patient care and are increasingly interacting with AI-enabled technologies every day,” said Dr. Elaine Kauschinger, Assistant Professor. “It is important that they feel confident asking questions, assessing AI-generated recommendations, and understanding when their professional judgment should guide decision-making."
Through the specialization, learners will progress from understanding and identifying AI tools in clinical environments, to evaluating AI-generated outputs and recognizing potential sources of bias, to applying AI-informed clinical reasoning in real-world patient care scenarios. The curriculum features case studies drawn from acute care, outpatient and telehealth settings, helping learners connect new knowledge directly to their professional practice.
"We designed this program to make complex concepts accessible and relevant to nursing practice,” said Dr. Kais Gadhoumi, Assistant Professor. “Learners will gain practical knowledge they can apply immediately, allowing them to critically evaluate AI systems and make better-informed decisions in real clinical settings."
The specialization requires no technical or programming background. Participants will gain foundational AI literacy, learn how to critically assess AI recommendations, and strengthen their ability to combine technology-enabled insights with professional nursing judgment. By completing the three-course series, learners will earn a Coursera Specialization certificate that demonstrates their understanding of the safe, effective and ethical use of AI in nursing practice.
The specialization can be completed in approximately one month, with each course requiring about three to four hours of study. It is ideal for nurses, advanced practice nurses and healthcare professionals seeking to build the skills needed to navigate the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and patient care. Click here to access the course and learn more.
Continuing Education
Duke University Health System Department of Clinical Education and Professional Development designates this activity for up to 9 credit hours for nurses. Nurses should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.
In support of improving patient care, the Duke University Health System Department of Clinical Education and Professional Development is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), to provide continuing education for the health care team.
