Jing Wang, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, Dean and Professor, Florida State University College of Nursing
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries worldwide, and nursing is no exception. Recognizing its transformative potential, the Florida State University College of Nursing is leading the conversation of integrating AI into nursing education, research, and practice. Through numerous new initiatives, the goal is simple: to equip nurses with the tools to harness AI for more advanced, efficient and personalized patient care.
Recently, the college launched the nation’s first Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration on AI Applications in Healthcare. This innovative MSN program represents a bold step forward in AI education in nursing. The MSN curriculum is designed to expand digital health and AI initiatives into practical clinical benefits. By combining nursing expertise with artificial intelligence, graduates will be prepared to lead efforts that improve patient outcomes, streamline workflow and care delivery, and address the growing complexities of modern health care systems. Importantly, the program emphasizes the safe and ethical implementation of AI, ensuring that these advancements are used responsibly to enhance, rather than replace, the human touch in nursing.
Accompanying the launch of this program is the creation of the Nursing and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Consortium, a first-of-its-kind initiative created by College of Nursing Dean Jing Wang. Co-leading the consortium is Rebecca Love, a celebrated entrepreneur, author and nursing innovator who joins FSU as a visiting professor and entrepreneur-in-residence, and Lisa Hightow-Weidman, a world-renowned researcher and founding director of the Institute on Digital Health and Innovations at FSU College of Nursing. Love’s extensive background in nursing and entrepreneurship uniquely positions her to drive these groundbreaking initiatives forward with connections to the real-world AI industry and Hightow-Weidman’s research expertise will address critical gaps in AI applications for nursing and drive discovery in filling gaps in AI science and its applications in nursing and healthcare.
The consortium aims to bring together innovative thinkers and leaders across academic nursing schools, AI industry, and leading healthcare systems who have a shared interests in unifying and elevating nursing voice in AI transformation in healthcare. It will also foster a collaborative environment for nursing professionals and AI innovators. This partnership will create opportunities for students and faculty to explore how AI can transform nursing practice, from automating administrative tasks to enhancing clinical decision-making. By focusing on these areas, we hope to address the challenge of freeing nurses from non-patient duties so they can devote more time and attention to bedside care.
From predictive analytics that anticipate patient needs to AI-driven tools that streamline workflows, the integration of AI into nursing holds immense promise for improving patient outcomes while reducing the burden on health care providers.
As the FSU College of Nursing expands upon these new programs, we invite individual and organizational members to join us to harness AI to lead the profession into an era where technology and empathy work hand-in-hand to deliver the best possible care for patients.
By investing in AI education, research, and innovation, we are not only preparing our students for the challenges of tomorrow but also setting a new standard for excellence in nursing research, practice, and education today.