📘 AI Competency Domains for Nurses
Aligned to ANA Principles for Artificial Intelligence
Competency 1: Foundational Artificial Intelligence Literacy
Competency Statement
The nurse demonstrates foundational understanding of artificial intelligence concepts, terminology, capabilities, and limitations relevant to nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
Performance Indicators
Describes what artificial intelligence is and is not
Distinguishes AI-enabled systems from traditional digital tools
Recognizes appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI in nursing contexts
Aligned ANA AI Principles
Enhance not replace human capabilities and clinical judgment
Transparency, explainability, and trustworthiness in AI systems
Nurse preparedness and education for AI-enabled care
Professional Emphasis
AI is positioned as decision support. Nurses understand what AI does, what it does not do, and when clinical judgment must prevail.
Competency 2: Data Literacy and Information Stewardship
Competency Statement
The nurse evaluates the quality, relevance, and ethical use of data that inform AI-enabled systems to support safe, evidence-based nursing care.
Performance Indicators
Identifies types of data used by AI systems
Recognizes risks associated with incomplete, biased, or outdated data
Applies principles of privacy, confidentiality, and responsible data use
Aligned ANA AI Principles
Protection of privacy, confidentiality, and data security
Equity and mitigation of bias in AI systems
Transparency regarding data sources and use
Professional Emphasis
Nurses serve as stewards of patient data, recognizing that biased or incomplete data can compromise AI-supported care.
Competency 3: Clinical Judgment and Decision-Making Integration
Competency Statement
The nurse integrates AI-supported insights with professional nursing judgment, patient values, and contextual factors to inform clinical decisions while maintaining accountability for outcomes.
Performance Indicators
Uses AI outputs as decision support rather than directives
Identifies when AI recommendations conflict with clinical assessment
Maintains human oversight in AI-supported decision-making
Aligned ANA AI Principles
Enhancement, not replacement, of human judgment
Use of AI to improve quality, safety, and outcomes
Human-in-the-loop oversight of AI-supported decisions
Professional Emphasis
Professional accountability for decisions remains with the nurse, regardless of AI involvement.
Competency 4: Ethical and Legal Responsibility in AI Use
Competency Statement
The nurse applies ethical, legal, and professional standards to the use of AI-enabled technologies to protect patient rights, safety, and trust.
Performance Indicators
Identifies ethical risks related to AI use
Upholds informed consent and patient autonomy
Adheres to organizational and regulatory requirements
Aligned ANA AI Principles
Ethical use of AI aligned with professional nursing values
Protection of patient autonomy and informed consent
Safeguards against misuse or overreliance on AI
Professional Emphasis
Ethical reasoning is integrated into AI use, not treated as an afterthought.
Competency 5: Equity, Bias Awareness, and Inclusive Practice
Competency Statement
The nurse evaluates AI-enabled systems for potential bias and inequitable impact and advocates for inclusive and equitable nursing care.
Performance Indicators
Recognizes how bias may be embedded in AI systems
Questions AI-supported decisions that may disadvantage individuals or groups
Supports equity-focused quality improvement efforts
Aligned ANA AI Principles
Equity and fairness in AI design and deployment
Avoidance of discrimination and unintended harm
Use of AI to reduce—not reinforce—health disparities
Professional Emphasis
Equity is framed as a core patient safety issue in AI-enabled care.
Competency 6: Communication, Education, and Transparency
Competency Statement
The nurse communicates clearly and ethically with patients, families, and healthcare teams about the role and limitations of AI-supported systems in care delivery.
Performance Indicators
Explains AI-supported care in understandable language
Addresses concerns related to data use and decision support
Promotes shared decision-making
Aligned ANA AI Principles
Transparency and explainability of AI-supported decisions
Support for shared decision-making
Respect for patient understanding and trust
Professional Emphasis
Nurses act as translators between complex AI systems and human experience.
Competency 7: Systems Thinking and Workflow Awareness
Competency Statement
The nurse applies systems thinking to evaluate the impact of AI-enabled technologies on clinical workflows, safety, and organizational processes.
Performance Indicators
Identifies intended and unintended consequences of AI use
Participates in evaluation of workflow integration
Provides feedback to improve safe and effective implementation
Aligned ANA AI Principles
Nurse involvement across the AI lifecycle
Use of AI to improve system-level quality and safety
Ongoing evaluation and monitoring of AI performance
Professional Emphasis
Nurses ensure AI fits clinical reality; not the other way around.
Competency 8: Leadership, Advocacy, and Professional Accountability
Competency Statement
The nurse demonstrates leadership and advocacy in the responsible adoption, evaluation, and governance of AI-enabled technologies within healthcare systems.
Performance Indicators
Participates in AI-related decision-making and governance
Advocates for nurse involvement in AI design and evaluation
Engages in ongoing professional development related to AI
Aligned ANA AI Principles
Nurse participation in AI governance and decision-making
Professional accountability for AI-enabled practice
Ongoing education and leadership development
Professional Emphasis
Nurses are positioned as leaders of AI-enabled technologies.