Institute for Artificial Intelligence
With artificial intelligence (AI) entering every facet of life today, nursing and health care are no exceptions. Therefore, the National League for Nursing, as a leader in pioneering the use of AI in transforming nursing education, and Walden University College of Nursing, dedicated to graduating leaders and positive change agents in health care practice through the use of AI, have teamed up on the NLN/Walden University College of Nursing Institute for Artificial Intelligence.

The two organizations recognize that new AI technologies are rapidly changing health care practice, public health policy, research, and education. These times call for decisive, strategic leadership to process and integrate the latest AI innovations into the preparation of a strong and diverse nursing workforce capable of delivering safe, effective, AI-involved health care solutions.

The institute, housed within the NLN Center for Transformational Leadership under the direction of Dr. Sandra Davis, has been designed to support nurse educators and interprofessional health care practitioners over the next five years in an intensive endeavor to accomplish the following: 

  • Prepare nurse educators and other interprofessional colleagues to develop leadership competencies and integrate the use of artificial intelligence into their programs and/or curricula
  • Prepare nurse educators and other interprofessional colleagues to become leaders for the use of artificial intelligence
  • Explore opportunities to engage in scholarly activities related to the use of artificial intelligence 

Learn About the NLN/Walden Institute for Artificial Intelligence

Outcome: The Participants

A strong program of learning will promote participants who are Driven Nurse Educators who can lead in the era of nursing education being transformed by AI and who are equipped, empowered, and inspired will serve as institutional and educational change agents driving cascading value to their institution, peers, their students, and to health care more generally.

Equipped
Readiness to teach with and about AI through literacy, foundational knowledge, and hands-on learning 
Empowered
Ready to garner the advocacy, resources, and infrastructure to maximize benefits of AI in nursing education
Inspired
Motivated to explore the art of the possible grounded in ethical principles and broad-based value delivery

Outcome: The Bridge

Advancing curricula + student-centered learning leads to A Strengthened Nursing Workforce that enables the ultimate outcome with graduates who are AI-competent, ethically grounded, and practice-ready — capable of leading and adapting in technology-driven health care environments across all settings and roles.

Competent
Able to critically evaluate and apply AI tools safely in clinical and educational practice
Confident
Prepared to lead interdisciplinary teams and advocate for responsible AI adoption
Committed
Grounded in nursing values: patient-centered, equitable, and ethically accountable

Outcome: The Big Picture

A strengthened nursing workforce enables Improved Health Outcomes for All by leveraging AI with clinical expertise, empathy, and ethical accountability — delivering equitable, high-quality patient care across all communities and settings — with every decision tracing back to health outcomes for all.

Equitable
AI used to reduce disparities and expand access to high-quality care in underserved communities
Safe
Nurses apply AI with critical oversight, protecting patients from algorithmic bias and error
Empowered
Nurses retain the human judgment, empathy, and advocacy at the core of nursing practice