A Star Cluster Program
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for the Future of Nursing
Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing
In an era where technology is revolutionizing every facet of our lives, the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing stands at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to redefine excellence in nursing.
Mark Lazenby, PhD, APRN Dean of the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for the Future of Nursing
By integrating AI into nursing education and practice, we are paving the way for a future where enhanced accuracy, efficiency and personalized patient care become the new standard. As AI reshapes healthcare, our focus is on offering personalized learning experiences that optimize skill development and competency, preparing students for a future where AI plays a pivotal role in patient care.
Star Cluster Hire: Elevating Nursing with AI Leadership
Our vision is to position UC Irvine as a national leader in AI-driven nursing education and research by hiring a world-class expert in AI and nursing. This Star Cluster hire will:
- Attract a diverse team of research and clinical faculty interested in AI and informatics
- Lead the development of an AI-focused nursing curriculum
- Educate faculty and students on the applications of AI in healthcare
- Drive pioneering research in AI applications within nursing
- Open new funding avenues and foster collaborative projects across UCI Health
Under the visionary leadership of a Star Cluster team, we will establish an AI/Informatics Training and Research Center. This new center will serve as a hub for innovative research and advanced educational programs, enhancing our teaching missions and directly impacting nursing practice and patient care outcomes.
Integrating AI into Nursing Education
AI literacy is essential for nurses to critically assess AI tools, integrate them into care protocols, and uphold high standards of patient safety and ethics. AI supports — rather than replaces — human judgment, ensuring accuracy and ethical care remain at the heart of nursing practice.
Revolutionizing Nursing Practice with AI
AI offers transformative tools that can enhance nursing practice by:
✦ Interpreting complex healthcare data
✦ Guiding therapeutic decisions
✦ Automating administrative tasks
✦ Improving patient tracking and monitoring
✦ Optimizing treatment coordination
For example, AI-driven tools like patient monitoring systems observe vital signs, detect early signals of deterioration, and alert nurses for critical interventions. These tools also enhance workflow efficiency by reducing paperwork and enabling greater collaboration between healthcare teams, ultimately elevating patient outcomes and the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
Strategic Partnerships for AI Integration
Collaboration between academia and healthcare institutions is crucial for incorporating AI into nursing education. At the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, we are spearheading this integration through strategic partnerships with UC Irvine’s Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences, UCI Health, and the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostic Medicine.
Our initiatives include:
✦ Designing courses covering core AI concepts, healthcare applications, and ethical considerations
✦ Establishing AI-focused clinical placements and simulation labs
✦ Fostering continuous learning through AI-related conferences and workshops
A Path to Transformative Research and Healthcare Innovation
AI technology is set to revolutionize healthcare, with nursing playing a key role in this transformation. Adding a Star Cluster leader to our faculty will enhance our research and educational capabilities, aligning with UC Irvine’s broader goals of catalyzing scientific breakthroughs, fostering multidisciplinary innovation, and improving lives locally and globally. This initiative will attract significant research funding and philanthropic support, enabling groundbreaking advancements in AI and nursing and positioning UC Irvine as a leader in the future of healthcare.
Join Us in Making an Impact
We are seeking philanthropic partners to fund Star Clusters throughout the Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences. These distinguished recruits will strengthen our research enterprise significantly. By becoming a philanthropic partner, you will forever link your legacy to a Star Cluster and its groundbreaking research. To learn more about supporting this transformative initiative at UC Irvine, please contact Health Advancement at healthadvancement@uci.edu.