This course provides Illinois nurses with practical instruction for recognizing implicit bias, reducing its influence on nursing judgment, and supporting respectful, individualized patient care. It addresses the Illinois implicit bias awareness training requirement and includes the maternal health content required beginning July 1, 2026, for nurses who report providing maternal health care services. The course connects bias awareness to assessment, communication, care planning, documentation, advocacy, escalation of concerns, and other routine nursing responsibilities.
Developed by: Scott Strachan RN, BSN
Target Audience
Illinois registered professional nurses, licensed practical nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and full practice authority advanced practice registered nurses who are subject to continuing education requirements.
Teaching Method
Self-directed learning completed independently, with scenario-based reflection.
Overview
Implicit bias involves automatic and unintended associations that may influence judgments, decisions, and behaviors. In nursing practice, these influences may affect triage, assessment, pain evaluation, communication, patient education, treatment follow-through, care planning, delegation, handoffs, documentation, and responses to patient concerns. This course examines how implicit bias may appear during routine nursing care and presents practical strategies for slowing decisions, gathering individualized information, using objective criteria, checking assumptions, and communicating respectfully.
Illinois requires health care professionals licensed under the Nurse Practice Act who have continuing education requirements to complete a one Contact Hour implicit bias awareness course during each applicable renewal period. Beginning July 1, 2026, nurses who report that they provide maternal health care services must complete implicit bias training that includes potential maternal health risk factors associated with childbearing individuals from marginalized racial or ethnic groups experiencing increased maternal mortality rates. Maternal health care services include applicable prenatal and postnatal care.
Course application emphasizes role-appropriate nursing actions, including individualized assessment, respectful communication, appropriate escalation of concerns, objective documentation, patient advocacy, collaboration with the health care team, and adherence to facility policies and professional scope of practice.
Learner Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
Disclosure
The planner(s) and author(s) of this educational activity have disclosed that there are no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests related to the content of this course. This course is developed for educational purposes and does not receive commercial support.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this course is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the content is not guaranteed to be free from errors or omissions. Participants are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional for specific advice related to their circumstances. The creators and presenters of this course disclaim any liability for decisions made based on the information provided.
We will send you a one-time access code.