Student Nurses’ Attitudes Regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence: NAWSON Student Survey 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) is rapidly advancing and holds promise for transforming nursing care and education. With the increasing prevalence of gen AI use in the classroom and healthcare systems, it is important to develop strategies to guide nursing students on how to use gen AI tools responsibly and prepare them for future gen AI-enhanced workplaces. While research efforts to examine gen AI in education are occurring on a global scale, little is known about nursing students’ current perceptions and practices regarding gen AI tools.

Objectives: This presentation will share findings from a study that examines nursing student use and perceptions of gen AI. The findings will guide administrators in making informed decisions on how gen AI is integrated into department policies and provide insight into how faculty can incorporate gen AI into their courses.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was administered to UH Mānoa undergraduate and graduate nursing students in October 2023. The 43-question survey instrument was informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior and reviewed by faculty stakeholders. The survey measured students’ perceptions, attitudes towards, and likeliness of using gen AI tools for learning activities. The survey also queried concerns students have about gen AI in nursing education. Planned data analysis includes descriptive analysis of Likert-type items and thematic analysis of open-ended responses.

Results: Data analysis is ongoing. Full findings will be reported at the time of the presentation. Of the 58 students that participated, 41 students completed the survey. Among those who completed the survey (N=41), most (n=30, 73%) were graduate students, 10 (24%) were undergraduate students. Preliminary findings indicate previously unreported attitudes regarding AI and its use in nursing education learning activities. Over half of participants agreed or strongly agreed that gen AI is a valuable tool to assist with coursework (n=22, 54%), nearly half (n=19, 46%) responded “neutral” when asked to consider whether gen AI is acceptable to use to assist with coursework. Attitudes regarding how gen AI tools should be used also varied. For example, when prompted to consider which learning activities students would complete with gen AI assistance, nearly half of the participants responded they were either likely or very likely to use gen AI for idea generation (n=20, 49%) and as a tutor to explain challenging course concepts (n=19, 46%). Most participants responded they were unlikely or very unlikely to use gen AI for generating a first draft of an essay (n=29, 71%), creating a first draft of a multimodal project (n=28, 68%), revising a final draft of an essay (n=26, 63%), and revising a final draft of a multimodal project (n=26, 63%).

Discussion: Preliminary findings reflect broad attitudes and behaviors regarding how gen AI should be used for learning in nursing school. While most students view gen AI as a valuable tool to assist with coursework, many are still undecided whether using gen AI to assist with coursework is acceptable. These preliminary findings suggest that students may benefit from clearer guidance from faculty on how to use gen AI responsibly in their coursework. Insights gained from this study may be helpful to identify concerns students have about the role of gen AI in their nursing education, and inform proactive efforts faculty may take to shape student attitudes and behaviors regarding the use of gen AI tools, including responsible use of AI tools, as well as building skills to apply gen AI tools in nursing education.

Conclusions: NAWSON is utilizing findings from the survey to inform practices and policies on the responsible use of gen AI in coursework. Actions currently being undertaken include developing a school-wide generalized syllabus statement and guidance document for nursing faculty/students. Faculty training on how to integrate gen AI into coursework is also planned, which will prioritize specific activities identified by students in this study. Gen AI brings many opportunities but also challenges for nursing education. Nurse educators have an important role to carefully guide students to use gen AI tools in ways that best prepare them for professional nursing roles.

Target Audience: The target audience includes nursing/health professions educators, administrators, and students. The findings are relevant for developing nursing/health professions program policies on AI and teaching responsible use of AI tools.