Other Titles
Bridging the Gaps in Digital Literacy, Interprofessional Librarian Collaboration in a RN-To-BSN Program [Title Slide]
Other Titles
PechaKucha Presentation
Abstract
Background/Introduction: RN-to-BSN students whom balance work and academics often struggle to locate, evaluate, and apply scholarly resources. Limited database experience, difficulty identifying high-quality evidence, and challenges with APA 7th edition can hinder success in Evidence Based Practice (EBP) coursework. Many students now turn to Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for searching and citation support; however, risks such as “hallucinated” information, fabricated citations, and inaccurate summaries require strong critical thinking. Interprofessional collaboration with academic librarians offers a strategy to strengthen digital literacy, EBP skills, and responsible AI use.
Purpose: This project evaluated the impact of synchronous, librarian-led virtual workshops on RN-to-BSN students’ confidence in navigating databases, appraising evidence, applying APA standards, and safely integrating AI tools into academic work.
Methods: Using a quality improvement design, faculty partnered with university librarians to deliver an interactive Microsoft Teams workshop with demonstrations of database searching, keyword refinement, source evaluation, and citation management. The librarian also addressed safe AI use, emphasizing risks such as bias, inaccurate summaries, and fabricated references. Pre/post surveys measured changes in confidence, and open-ended reflections captured qualitative insights into EBP skills, APA proficiency, and AI awareness.
Results: Post-workshop confidence increased in appraising research (27.2% to 76.7%), locating quality literature (29.5% to 80%), and applying APA formatting (47% to 87%). Qualitative feedback showed improved understanding that AI can aid search strategies but may introduce errors, reinforcing the need to verify AI-generated content with peer-reviewed sources and apply strong clinical judgment.
Conclusion/Implications: Interprofessional collaboration with librarians improved EBP competencies, digital literacy, APA proficiency, and understanding of safe, ethical AI use. Integrating librarian-led workshops into online curricula is an effective approach that enhances confidence in navigating resources, strengthens critical thinking, and prevents misuse of AI tools, supporting AACN Essentials (2021) to prepare practice ready nurses in an AI enabled healthcare environment.
Notes
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References: 1. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/AcademicNursing/pdf/Essentials-2021.pdf
2. Interprofessional Education Collaborative. (2016). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: 2016 update. https://ipecollaborative.org
3. Labrague, L. J., Al Sabei, S., & Al Yahyaei, A. (2025). Artificial intelligence in nursing education: A review of AI-based teaching pedagogies. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 20(3), p. 210-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2025.01.019
4. Nashwan, A. J. (2025). Embracing artificial intelligence in nursing education. Evidence-Based Nursing, 28(1), 23–26. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2023-103906
Sigma Membership
Alpha Delta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Quality Improvement
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Curriculum Development, Virtual Learning, Interprofessional Initiatives, Interprofessional Relations, Information Literacy, Information Literacy--Education, Librarians, Post-RN Education, Post-RN Students, RN-to-BSN
Recommended Citation
Abraham, Kimberly and Newell, Amanda, "Bridging the Gap in Digital Literacy Through an Interprofessional Partnership" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 94.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/94
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-29
Bridging the Gap in Digital Literacy Through an Interprofessional Partnership
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background/Introduction: RN-to-BSN students whom balance work and academics often struggle to locate, evaluate, and apply scholarly resources. Limited database experience, difficulty identifying high-quality evidence, and challenges with APA 7th edition can hinder success in Evidence Based Practice (EBP) coursework. Many students now turn to Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for searching and citation support; however, risks such as “hallucinated” information, fabricated citations, and inaccurate summaries require strong critical thinking. Interprofessional collaboration with academic librarians offers a strategy to strengthen digital literacy, EBP skills, and responsible AI use.
Purpose: This project evaluated the impact of synchronous, librarian-led virtual workshops on RN-to-BSN students’ confidence in navigating databases, appraising evidence, applying APA standards, and safely integrating AI tools into academic work.
Methods: Using a quality improvement design, faculty partnered with university librarians to deliver an interactive Microsoft Teams workshop with demonstrations of database searching, keyword refinement, source evaluation, and citation management. The librarian also addressed safe AI use, emphasizing risks such as bias, inaccurate summaries, and fabricated references. Pre/post surveys measured changes in confidence, and open-ended reflections captured qualitative insights into EBP skills, APA proficiency, and AI awareness.
Results: Post-workshop confidence increased in appraising research (27.2% to 76.7%), locating quality literature (29.5% to 80%), and applying APA formatting (47% to 87%). Qualitative feedback showed improved understanding that AI can aid search strategies but may introduce errors, reinforcing the need to verify AI-generated content with peer-reviewed sources and apply strong clinical judgment.
Conclusion/Implications: Interprofessional collaboration with librarians improved EBP competencies, digital literacy, APA proficiency, and understanding of safe, ethical AI use. Integrating librarian-led workshops into online curricula is an effective approach that enhances confidence in navigating resources, strengthens critical thinking, and prevents misuse of AI tools, supporting AACN Essentials (2021) to prepare practice ready nurses in an AI enabled healthcare environment.
Description
A virtual, librarian-led workshop strengthened RN-to-BSN students’ skills in database searching, evidence appraisal, APA formatting, and safe AI use. Participants will learn how interprofessional collaboration increases digital literacy, builds confidence, and supports accurate evaluation of AI-generated information.