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Preparing the nursing workforce for the health AI era: Insights from the Macy Foundation Conference on AI in Medical Education.

Journal articles  - Journal Article
Cary, MP; Wang, J; De Gagne, JC
Published in: Journal of professional nursing : official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
July 2026

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare is reshaping the clinical practice environment, demanding timely preparation of the nursing workforce. As trusted frontline health professionals often tasked with providing education, nurses are uniquely positioned to ensure the ethical, equitable, and effective use of AI in clinical practice. The 2024 Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education featured interdisciplinary dialogue on AI in medical education among 50+ invited participants, with the present three authors being the only nursing scholars. In this article, we provide recommendations to guide nursing education, research, and leadership. We advocate for nurse leaders and educators to proactively incorporate AI competencies into curricula, foster interdisciplinary research, and engage in policy advocacy to ensure that AI implementation in healthcare serves patients, communities, and the nursing profession. Strategic, coordinated action is essential to prepare and position nurses as indispensable, patient-focused contributors in an AI-enabled healthcare system.

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Published In

Journal of professional nursing : official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing

DOI

EISSN

1532-8481

ISSN

8755-7223

Publication Date

July 2026

Volume

65

Start / End Page

164 / 172

Related Subject Headings

  • Nursing
  • Leadership
  • Humans
  • Education, Nursing
  • Education, Medical
  • Curriculum
  • Congresses as Topic
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • 4205 Nursing
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Cary, M. P., Wang, J., & De Gagne, J. C. (2026). Preparing the nursing workforce for the health AI era: Insights from the Macy Foundation Conference on AI in Medical Education. Journal of Professional Nursing : Official Journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 65, 164–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2026.04.005
Cary, Michael P., Jing Wang, and Jennie C. De Gagne. “Preparing the nursing workforce for the health AI era: Insights from the Macy Foundation Conference on AI in Medical Education.Journal of Professional Nursing : Official Journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing 65 (July 2026): 164–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2026.04.005.
Cary MP, Wang J, De Gagne JC. Preparing the nursing workforce for the health AI era: Insights from the Macy Foundation Conference on AI in Medical Education. Journal of professional nursing : official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. 2026 Jul;65:164–72.
Cary, Michael P., et al. “Preparing the nursing workforce for the health AI era: Insights from the Macy Foundation Conference on AI in Medical Education.Journal of Professional Nursing : Official Journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, vol. 65, July 2026, pp. 164–72. Epmc, doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2026.04.005.
Cary MP, Wang J, De Gagne JC. Preparing the nursing workforce for the health AI era: Insights from the Macy Foundation Conference on AI in Medical Education. Journal of professional nursing : official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. 2026 Jul;65:164–172.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of professional nursing : official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing

DOI

EISSN

1532-8481

ISSN

8755-7223

Publication Date

July 2026

Volume

65

Start / End Page

164 / 172

Related Subject Headings

  • Nursing
  • Leadership
  • Humans
  • Education, Nursing
  • Education, Medical
  • Curriculum
  • Congresses as Topic
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • 4205 Nursing