Strategic Rationale
Emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, digital health platforms, virtual and augmented reality, remote monitoring, clinical decision support tools, and technologies yet to be developed—are rapidly transforming healthcare delivery, workforce dynamics, and nursing education. The pace of technological innovation and adoption across clinical practice, administrative systems, education, and research is accelerating, creating an urgent need for academic nursing to prepare students and faculty to lead, adapt, and innovate in this evolving environment.
Now is the moment for AACN to take a proactive leadership role. Establishing Emerging Technologies in Nursing Task Force aligns directly with AACN’s mission to advance nursing education, its vision to shape the future of healthcare, and its values of innovation, equity, and excellence. By broadening the focus beyond AI alone, AACN can ensure that nursing education remains agile and responsive to current and future technological advancements. This Task Force will support AACN’s strategic plan by fostering innovation in education, strengthening faculty development, promoting ethical and equitable technology adoption, and enhancing AACN’s role as a national convener and thought leader.
This initiative will position AACN to lead the national conversation on emerging technologies in nursing education—helping members, faculty, and students anticipate change, evaluate new tools thoughtfully, and integrate technology in ways that support safe, ethical, patient-centered, and evidence-based care.
Purpose
The Emerging Technologies in Nursing Task Force will position AACN as a thought leader in shaping how emerging technologies inform nursing education, research, and practice. Its purpose is to:
- Develop a national strategy to guide AACN’s approach to emerging technologies across academic nursing.
- Identify the knowledge, skills, and competencies nursing students and graduates need to thrive in technology-enabled health systems.
- Provide recommendations to support faculty development, curricular alignment, and responsible use of emerging technologies in academic nursing.
- Identify member needs for technology-related educational offerings, including webinars, conference sessions, institutes, and workshops focused on technology literacy, implementation, and evaluation.
Charge
The Emerging Technologies in Nursing Task Force will:
- Assess the current and emerging landscape of technologies impacting healthcare and nursing education, including but not limited to AI, digital health tools, informatics, simulation, and virtual learning environments.
- Identify implications for curriculum design, student competencies, faculty readiness, and academic–practice partnerships.
- Recommend strategies and resources AACN can provide to help schools integrate emerging technologies into teaching, learning, assessment, and practice experiences.
- Identify opportunities for AACN-led educational offerings that build technology literacy, critical appraisal skills, and implementation capacity across member schools.
- Explore partnerships with other health professions organizations, industry leaders, and technology experts to promote interprofessional alignment and shared standards.
- Develop a flexible framework for AACN’s long-term engagement in emerging technology–related policy, advocacy, and educational initiatives.
Timeframe
Short-Term (First 3 Months):
- Conduct an environmental scan of emerging technologies in healthcare, nursing education, and higher education, including existing frameworks for digital, data, and technology literacy across health professions.
- Develop guiding principles for AACN’s emerging technologies strategy and identify near-term opportunities for member engagement and educational offerings.
- Begin outlining recommendations for faculty development, curricular integration, and member support resources related to emerging technologies.
Long-Term (First Year):
- Draft recommendations for technology-related competencies for nursing students aligned with The Essentials.
- Identify faculty development needs and propose AACN resources, webinars, workshops, and convenings to address those needs.
- Produce a report with actionable recommendations for AACN leadership to inform strategic planning, advocacy, partnerships, and member support related to emerging technologies.
Membership
The Task Force will include AACN members and invited experts representing a broad range of expertise, including academic leadership and curriculum development; clinical practice and health system innovation; digital health and informatics; data science and AI; simulation and educational technology; ethics, equity, and policy; interprofessional collaboration; and industry or technology partners relevant to nursing education and practice.
Expected Outcomes
By the end of the first year, the Emerging Technologies in Nursing Task Force will provide AACN with a strategic framework and recommendations that:
- Clarify the role of emerging technologies in nursing education and practice.
- Define essential technology-related competencies for nursing graduates.
- Identify member needs and educational resources to enhance technology literacy and readiness among faculty and academic leaders.
- Position AACN as a national leader and convener on the integration of emerging technologies in nursing education.