Tool or Tyrant: Guiding and Guarding Generative Artificial Intelligence Use in Nursing Education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, making its integration into nursing education essential.
• Understanding the societal impact and applications of AI is key to its adoption.
• Nurse educators face unique challenges and opportunities with AI implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the implementation of generative AI in nursing education.
• To provide a guide for the strategic and ethical use of AI in nursing curricula.
• To analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of AI from nurse educators' perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A case-based descriptive study involving nurse educators from the southeastern United States.
• Thematic analysis of qualitative data using four codes: time, innovation, critical thinking, and routine tasks.
• Exploration of broader societal impacts and uses of artificial intelligence.

Main Results:

• Generative AI can function as both a beneficial tool and a potential hindrance ('tyrant').
• Key themes identified include opportunities for efficiency and innovation alongside challenges in transparency, ethical use, and AI literacy.
• AI impacts time management, innovation adoption, critical thinking development, and routine task automation.

Conclusions:

• Establishing ethical guidelines, fostering AI literacy, and promoting responsible implementation are vital for nurse educators.
• Clear articulation of expectations is necessary to guide the use of generative AI.
• Generative AI holds transformative potential to enhance teaching and prepare students for the future healthcare workforce.