Readers Write: Transforming Nursing Education: Seizing the Opportunity for AI and Technology Advancements

Transforming Nursing Education: Seizing the Opportunity for AI and Technology Advancements
By Julie Stegman

Julie Stegman is vice president of the Health Learning and Practice business at Wolters Kluwer Health of Waltham, MA.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the nursing profession stands at a critical juncture. The nursing shortage is a pressing concern, and nursing education faces the challenge of preparing students for the day-to-day demands of clinical practice. The intersection of these challenges presents unique opportunities for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies, like virtual reality (VR), in nursing education to usher in a new era of learning and proficiency.

Nursing students find themselves navigating a learning environment that is vastly different from their earlier educational experiences. The transition from K-12 to nursing school is marked by an overwhelming amount of reading from textbooks, a lack of hands-on clinical practice, and the pressure to perform in a high-acuity clinical setting. Consequently, a staggering 37% of nurses who are under 25 said they were planning to leave their current role in the next six months, contributing to the broader nursing shortage.

Nursing schools are grappling with a lot right now, from how to best train practice-ready graduates and fill faculty openings while also reassessing their teaching methodologies. The goal is clear: combat unsafe practices, graduate clinically confident and competent nurses, and enhance retention rates. The need for innovation in nursing education is more critical than ever.

2024 is poised to witness a paradigm shift in nursing education, driven by the integration of AI. Embedded thoughtfully, AI holds the promise of streamlining educational workflows, alleviating the burden on faculty, and enhancing the learning experience for students.

AI offers a solution to the demanding workload faced by educators. By using AI algorithms, faculty members can efficiently assess student knowledge, allowing educators to focus on refining the delivery of content, fostering critical thinking, and providing personalized guidance.

For students, AI provides access to trusted learning materials in a conversational format, making information more accessible and digestible. Educational companies, recognizing the time constraints and expectations of modern students, are early adopters of AI to engage learners and provide personalized study resources.

The convergence of the nursing shortage and the evolving landscape of education creates a unique opportunity for the integration of AI in nursing education. The transformative potential of AI, coupled with innovations like VR and multimedia, can reshape the way nurses are trained and prepared for clinical practice.

At this critical juncture, nursing schools must seize the opportunity to embrace technology and ensure the next generation of nurses is not only clinically competent, but also well equipped to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare. The integration of AI in nursing education is not merely a technological advancement; it is a crucial step towards building a resilient and proficient nursing workforce for the future.

The nursing profession is witnessing a significant exodus of younger nurses, with approximately 15% of those with fewer than 10 years of experience expected to leave the workforce in the next five years. To combat this trend, nursing schools must adapt and incorporate technology to meet the needs of the current generation of learners. Doing so will allow students to be exposed to more lifelike scenarios, helping ease the transition to patient care.

Innovations like VR and virtual simulation can offer a bridge between theoretical learning and real-life clinical practice. Traditional simulation labs often limit students due to the need to share learning experiences. VR technology, on the other hand, enables multiple students to engage in realistic training simultaneously, enhancing the quality of the learning experience.

Combined with AI, these advanced virtual tools can better prepare students for real-world clinical scenarios without risking real patient harm. A startling statistic reveals that only 9% of new graduates are considered within an acceptable range of providing safe patient care, emphasizing the urgency for better clinical preparation. Bringing together VR simulation and testing leveraging AI for personalized learning can play a pivotal role in bridging this gap. This way of teaching and learning allows nursing students to gain practical experience, ensuring they enter the workforce with the skills and confidence needed for safe and effective patient care.