AI in Nursing: Bridging the Critical Skills Gap for a New Era

PHOENIX, AZ – January 16, 2026 – As artificial intelligence rapidly moves from theoretical concept to a daily reality in clinics and hospitals, a critical skills gap is emerging among the nation's most trusted healthcare professionals: nurses. While the potential for AI to revolutionize patient care and alleviate administrative burdens is immense, a significant portion of the nursing workforce feels unprepared to navigate this new technological frontier, prompting a concerted effort by educational and industry leaders to bridge the divide.

In response to this growing need, the University of Phoenix and professional networking giant LinkedIn have announced a collaborative virtual event, "AI in Action: Skills and Strategies for a New Era of Nursing." The free webinar, scheduled for January 22, aims to demystify AI for frontline healthcare workers and provide practical, career-relevant guidance that nurses can apply immediately.

A Workforce in Transition: The Urgent Need for AI Literacy

The sense of urgency is underscored by compelling national data. A comprehensive survey of 7,200 nurses conducted by McKinsey and the American Nurses Foundation revealed a workforce that is both intrigued by and anxious about AI. While a striking 64% of nurses expressed a desire to incorporate more AI tools into their clinical work, the same study found that 36% ranked a "lack of knowledge on how to use AI-based technology and tools" among their top three concerns. This highlights a crucial paradox: nurses are cautiously optimistic about AI's potential but feel ill-equipped to harness it effectively.

"Artificial intelligence is moving quickly from concept to day-to-day reality in healthcare," said Raelene Brooks, Ph.D., RN, Dean of the College of Nursing at University of Phoenix. "This webinar is focused on practical skills, real examples, and the considerations nurses should keep in mind as AI tools influence both clinical and administrative workflows."

The concern is not just about operating new software. Nurses are worried about the reliability of AI-generated information, with 61% citing accuracy as a top barrier to adoption. Furthermore, nearly half (49%) expressed apprehension about AI's potential to diminish the essential human interaction at the heart of patient care. This data paints a clear picture of a workforce that understands the stakes and is calling for education, training, and a voice in how these powerful new tools are implemented.

Bridging the Gap: A Strategic Alliance for Upskilling

Addressing this complex challenge requires a multi-faceted approach, and the partnership between the University of Phoenix and LinkedIn represents a strategic model for future workforce development. The collaboration leverages the academic rigor and adult-learner focus of a major university with the vast professional network and upskilling resources of a tech industry leader.

University of Phoenix has been proactive in embedding technology into its programs, particularly within its College of Nursing. The institution is already working to integrate AI concepts into its nurse practitioner curriculum to support diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making. This long-term strategy ensures that the next generation of nursing leaders graduates with a foundational understanding of how to work alongside intelligent systems. The upcoming webinar is a natural extension of this commitment, offering accessible, just-in-time learning to the broader nursing community.

On the other side of the partnership, LinkedIn has established itself as a critical platform for professional growth, especially in rapidly evolving fields like technology and healthcare. Through its LinkedIn Learning platform, it offers a vast catalog of courses on AI, machine learning, and their applications in healthcare. By co-hosting the event and providing the platform for it, LinkedIn facilitates a direct connection between expert knowledge and the millions of healthcare professionals who use its network to manage their careers and seek development opportunities.

Beyond the Hype: Practical AI on the Hospital Floor

For many practicing nurses, the discussion around AI can feel abstract and futuristic. The webinar aims to cut through the hype by focusing on tangible, real-world applications that are already changing the nature of nursing work. Research shows AI is making its greatest initial impact by tackling the immense administrative load that often keeps nurses away from the bedside. Some studies indicate that documentation alone can consume up to 60% of a nurse's shift, and AI tools that automate charting, streamline scheduling, and manage communications could free up a significant portion of that time for direct patient care.

Beyond administrative relief, AI is proving to be a powerful clinical ally. Predictive analytics algorithms can monitor patient data in real-time to flag early signs of deterioration, such as sepsis or cardiac arrest, enabling faster intervention. Clinical decision support systems, powered by AI, can analyze vast datasets to provide evidence-based care suggestions, helping to reduce diagnostic errors and standardize care quality. These tools are not designed to replace a nurse's judgment but to augment it with data-driven insights.

The webinar will feature insights from a panel of experts who are deeply engaged with these applications, including Linnea Axman, Associate Dean at the University of Phoenix's College of Nursing; Joyce Leido, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nurse Executive at Kaiser Permanente; and Grace Carcich, Corporate Director of Education at Prime Healthcare Services. Their collective experience promises a grounded discussion on what is truly working, what remains aspirational, and how to evaluate new technologies critically.

Navigating the Ethical and Practical Hurdles

While the promise of AI is significant, its adoption is not without serious challenges. The webinar's agenda acknowledges this by dedicating time to the critical considerations nurses must weigh when evaluating new technologies. Ethical dilemmas surrounding patient privacy, data security, and algorithmic bias are paramount. Since AI models learn from existing data, they can inadvertently perpetuate or even amplify health disparities if not designed and monitored with care. Nurses, as patient advocates, are in a unique position to identify and mitigate such biases.

Furthermore, questions of accountability and liability loom large. When an AI system contributes to an adverse patient outcome, determining responsibility is a complex legal and ethical puzzle. This is why a strong majority of nurses—over 70% according to the McKinsey survey—believe their input is crucial in the design, testing, and implementation of these tools. They want to be partners in innovation, not passive recipients of it.

Practical hurdles, such as the clunky integration of new AI software with existing Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, also present significant workflow challenges. By equipping nurses with the knowledge to ask the right questions and evaluate these systems holistically, the event aims to empower them to become key stakeholders in the technological transformation of their own profession, ensuring that the future of healthcare remains fundamentally human-centered.