Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) Simulations Into Undergraduate Nursing Education: An Evolving AI Patient

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Medical Simulation
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Background:

• Traditional nursing education often lacks longitudinal patient interaction.
• Simulations provide valuable training but can be static.
• There is a need for dynamic, evolving patient scenarios in nursing curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an evolving artificial intelligence (AI) virtual patient on nursing student competence.
• To explore the benefits of a longitudinal simulation experience where the AI patient ages with students.
• To assess the effectiveness of AI-driven patient scenarios in medical-surgical nursing courses.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI) virtual patient that ages throughout a nursing program.
• Students engage with the AI patient starting with basic assessment skills as sophomores.
• Students revisit the AI patient in junior and senior years, encountering complex, age-related conditions.

Main Results:

• Student competence increased as they progressed through the nursing program with the AI patient.
• The evolving nature of the AI patient facilitated a deeper understanding of patient development.
• Students reported increased engagement and skill development through repeated interaction.

Conclusions:

• An evolving AI virtual patient is an innovative and effective simulation tool for nursing education.
• Longitudinal engagement with an aging AI patient enhances student assessment and management skills.
• This AI simulation model supports the development of clinical competence across the nursing curriculum.