Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 a.m. (Pacific Time)
Free for WSNA members
CE: 2.5 ANCC contact hours (pending)**
Like the computer and cell phone of yesterday, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the latest technology on a rapid trajectory of integration. In healthcare, we already see it in AI-supported Electronic Health Records, AI-integrated search engines and more. Today’s nurses are constantly navigating their practice amid a sea of AI. And, while big promises are being made about how AI can transform healthcare, ultimately, it is just a tool and not a replacement for trained clinicians. Nurses will need to approach AI as they would any other tool, whether it be an analog scale or a digital blood pressure cuff — with a critical eye and intentional use.
In this presentation, you’ll learn what AI is and what AI isn’t, it’s pros and cons, and how it is being integrated into nursing practice today. You’ll discover insights along the way to boost your confidence about using AI, and, potentially most importantly, understand when not to use AI tools. You’ll come away with a better understanding of how your keen nursing skills and reasoning abilities are your allies as you critically appraise and intentionally use AI tools.
AI is here to stay, so join the conversation now! Come together with other nurses from around the state of Washington and learn how AI can be the newest tool in your nurse’s toolkit. Leave with a better understanding of what AI is, how it can be used, and ways to utilize your critical thinking skills as a nurse to assess its outcomes. Learn about real-world examples and be sure to bring your questions!
Recording
A recording of the presentation will be available approximately three weeks after the event. All those who register will receive a link to the recording.
Presenter
Uba Bačkonja, PhD MS RN, is engaged in nursing research addressing health informatics, data visualization and AI. She is currently a consumer health informatics researcher at the MITRE Corporation working on developing health technologies with users to address critical problems in healthcare. She completed her training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Washington, and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bačkonja was previously on faculty with the UW Tacoma School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership. She has been published in numerous peer-reviewed publications and is a sought-after lecturer and presenter.
Nurses Education Series: continuing education for nurses in WA State. Brought to you by Central Washington Region Nurses Association, Inland Empire Nurses Association, King County Nurses Association, Northwest Region Nurses Association, Rainier Olympic Nurses Association and Southwest Region Nurses Association.
**Continuing Education
This activity has been submitted to Oregon Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours. Oregon Nurses Association is accredited as an approver of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Upon approval, attendees may earn 2.5 contact hours. Participants must be present for or view all the educational activity to receive contact hours.