Preparing Doctoral Nurse Leaders to Champion Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Education

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) presents transformative opportunities in nursing education, particularly in Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs, where preparing graduates for technology-enhanced clinical practice is essential. However, faculty face challenges related to ethical concerns, technical proficiency, and workload demands. Objective: This quality improvement project evaluated the Faculty AI Champion Program, designed to build faculty competence and confidence in integrating AI tools into DNP curricula and across the health professions. Methods: A mixed-method, single-site pilot using a one-group pretest-posttest design was implemented, guided by the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) framework. Seven faculty members participated in completing the full program, which included workshops, hands-on training, and peer support. Results: Participants reported increased AI understanding (mean score improvement from 3.4 to 4.25) and enhanced self-efficacy (67% stated "yes") in identifying and applying AI tools. Faculty rated program satisfaction highly (mean score 9.5/10). Qualitative feedback highlighted interest in practical AI applications. Conclusions: The Faculty AI Champion Program effectively enhanced faculty knowledge and confidence in AI integration, supporting both productivity and pedagogical innovation. Implications for Nursing: Scaling this program can help address faculty shortages, reduce workload pressures, and strengthen competency-based DNP education through responsible AI use. Institutional support is critical for faculty development and ethical AI integration.