Revolutionizing Nursing Career Development: Exploring the Generative Power of AI, ALM, and Machine Learning

This week’s blog is hosted by Jennifer Shepherd (DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CHPN), Director of Nursing Education and Project Management and Interim Innovation Strategist at ANA Enterprise www.nursingworld.org

In the rapidly changing world of healthcare, nurse skilled development (NPD) professionals and educators play a critical role. They are accountable for preparing nurses to satisfy the changing demands of patient care, regulatory standards, and technological advances. As the healthcare landscape becomes increasingly complex, revolutionary technologies reminiscent of Generative AI, Advanced Language Models (ALM), and Machine Learning (ML) have the potential to revolutionize nurse skilled development by improving education, practice, and outcomes.

Generative AI and ALM have the potential to create personalized and adaptive learning experiences. These technologies can analyze large amounts of information to generate customized learning content, simulations, and scenarios that meet individual learning needs¹For example, AI-based platforms can assess a nurse’s knowledge gaps and learning style and create a tailored curriculum that addresses specific weaknesses while reinforcing strengths.

ALMs can enable real-time, interactive learning by simulating patient interactions, providing nurses with realistic practice scenarios that reinforce critical pondering and decision-making skills. These models may also function virtual tutors, offering explanations, answering questions, and guiding students through complex concepts at their very own pace.¹.

ML algorithms have the potential to rework the way in which NPD professionals assess competencies and performance. Traditional assessment methods, which frequently depend on static exams and subjective rankings, may be improved with ML-based analytics. These algorithms can analyze nurses’ performance patterns over time, providing a more comprehensive and objective assessment of their skills and knowledge.².

For example, ML can track a nurse’s simulation performance, identifying specific actions, decision points, and outcomes. This data can then be used to offer detailed feedback, pinpointing areas for improvement and reinforcing positive behaviors. This detailed evaluation enables more precise and effective competency-based education, ensuring that nurses are truly prepared for the complexities of patient care.².

AI-powered predictive analytics can provide NPD professionals with helpful insights into future trends and potential skill gaps. By analyzing workforce demographics, patient care trends, and technological advances, AI can discover emerging needs and predict areas where additional training and development shall be required².

This proactive approach allows educators to design forward-thinking programs that prepare nurses for future challenges before they arise. For example, if predictive analytics indicate a growing need for telehealth skills, NPD professionals can integrate telehealth training into their curricula, ensuring nurses are prepared to offer high-quality care on this rapidly evolving field.².

Generative AI, ALM, and ML may also improve collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst nurses. AI-based platforms can facilitate the creation of virtual communities of practice where nurses can share insights, experiences, and best practices. These platforms can collect and disseminate the most recent research, guidelines, and academic resources, ensuring nurses have access to up-to-date information and might continually evolve their practice.¹.

In addition, these technologies can support mentoring and peer learning. AI can connect novice nurses with experienced mentors based on their specific needs and goals, supporting a learning environment that promotes skilled development.

In summary, the mixing of Generative AI, Advanced Language Models, and Machine Learning into nursing skilled development holds great promise. These technologies can create more personalized, adaptive, and effective learning experiences, improve competency and performance assessment, provide predictive insights for proactive development, and support collaboration and knowledge sharing. For NPD professionals and educators, embracing these innovations shouldn’t be just a possibility, but a necessity to arrange nurses for the longer term of healthcare. By harnessing the ability of AI, we are able to be sure that our nursing workforce stays expert, resilient, and prepared to offer exceptional care in an ever-changing healthcare landscape.

The authors of this blog are members of the International Health Professionals Network Home | International Health Workforce Education Network (inhwe.org)

Bibliography

1. Hobensack, M., von Gerich, H., Vyas, P., Withall, J., Peltonen, L., Block, L., Davies, S., & Chan, R., Van Bulck, L., & Cho, H., Paquin, R., Mitchell, J., Topaz, M., & Song, J. (2024). A rapid review of current and potential applications of huge language models in nursing. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104753
2. Shepherd, J. (2023). Unlocking the longer term of nursing education and continuing skilled development by adopting generative artificial intelligence and advanced language models. Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies, 10(2), article 4. https://doi.org/10.24926/ijps.v10i2.5614

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