Irreplaceable: Critical Care Nurses in an AI-Powered World

WB0085

Part of AACN Critical Care Webinar Series

Presenter(s): Linda Harrington, PhD, DNP, RN, NI-BC, UXC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, FAMIA; Lisa A Gulker, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC; Fiona A Winterbottom, DNP, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, CCRN

Contact Hours 1.00

CERP C 1.00

Date Apr 23, 2026

Time 10:00AM - 11:00AM PT

Topics: Technology

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NonMember: $10.00

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Webinar Summary

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concern for critical care nurses; it is already embedded in the tools, platforms and workflows of today's ICUs. From sepsis prediction algorithms to AI-assisted documentation and tele-critical care monitoring, nurses are working alongside AI every day, often without formal preparation to do so critically or confidently.

This one-hour webinar brings together three expert panelists to examine what AI means for critical care nursing practice, professional identity and patient safety. Attendees will explore how algorithmic bias can put vulnerable patients at risk, how to protect the irreplaceable human dimensions of nursing care, and what just culture looks like when AI contributes to adverse events. The session closes with a forward-looking conversation about how nursing education, leadership and professional organizations must act now to prepare the next generation of nurses.

This is not a technology webinar. It is a nursing webinar, one that positions critical care nurses as informed, empowered advocates at the center of one of healthcare’s most important conversations.

Objectives

  • Explain the foundational concepts of AI and AI literacy as they apply to critical care nursing practice, including common AI tools encountered in ICU environments and their intended functions.
  • Analyze the risks of algorithmic bias in clinical AI systems, and examine the nurse's role in identifying biased outputs and advocating for underserved patient populations.
  • Evaluate the ethical, professional and patient safety implications of AI-generated clinical recommendations, including accountability frameworks that are applicable when AI contributes to adverse events or near misses in critical care settings.

Presenters

Linda Harrington, PhD, DNP, RN, NI-BC, UXC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, FAMIA

Linda Harrington, PhD, DNP, RN, NI-BC, UXC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, FAMIA

Linda is a distinguished expert in informatics with a specialization in interactive design and a subspecialty in artificial intelligence (AI). She skillfully integrates her consulting practice in informatics and AI with her roles in teaching, research, presenting and publishing. Board certified in nursing informatics, she also holds certifications in healthcare technology and user experience, reflecting her commitment to innovation and excellence in the field.

Lisa A Gulker, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC

Lisa A Gulker, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC

Lisa Gulker is chief nursing officer/chief nurse executive at Oracle Health. Her strategy portfolio spans technology and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for clinical practice, clinical operations, workforce and workload management, virtual care, rural/community care and command centers. Lisa represents the voice of nurses as the largest workforce and users of healthcare technology. She works with a team of experts who inform robust, customer-focused and patient-centered innovations developed using Oracle’s industry-leading agentic platform for healthcare. Another key strategic focus is enabling data-driven operations through clinically integrated human resources, supply chain and financial cloud solutions. Previously, Lisa worked in clinical, operational, IT, product management and informatics executive leadership positions at Tenet Healthcare, Vanguard Health Systems and Detroit Medical Center. She earned a chemistry degree from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Wayne State University College of Nursing. Her roles focused on delivering clinical transformation, operational and service line efficiency, command center operations and analytics. She is a nurse practitioner in adult acute care and continues to enjoy clinical practice.

Fiona A Winterbottom, DNP, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, CCRN

Fiona A Winterbottom, DNP, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, CCRN

Fiona Winterbottom is a clinical nurse specialist in Virtual Critical Care at Ochsner Health in Jefferson, Louisiana, and president-elect of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. With more than three decades of critical care nursing experience, Fiona has built her career at the intersection of advanced practice, clinical innovation and patient safety. Her expertise spans tele-critical care, rapid response systems, AI-powered early-warning tools and palliative care. A prolific researcher and sought-after speaker, she has published widely on proactive rescue models, telehealth and the evolving role of nurses in technology-driven care environments. Fiona holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a post-graduate specialty in palliative care from the University of South Alabama. She also serves as an ethicist and consultant, bringing a values-grounded lens to questions on how AI can amplify human judgment, which is at the heart of critical care nursing.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for 1.00 contact hours.

Disclosure

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion. 

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.


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