Fostering creativity-nurturing behaviors among nurse educators: Investigating the interplay between evidence-based...

Fostering creativity in nursing education is essential for equipping students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Nurse educators play a pivotal role in nurturing creativity among nursing students, yet their effectiveness is shaped by institutional and technological influences. While an evidence-based practice (EBP) climate provides a structured framework for innovative teaching, the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education necessitates that educators develop AI competence self-efficacy. AI tools, such as personalized learning systems, adaptive simulations, and data-driven decision-making platforms, enhance creativity-nurturing behaviors by supporting individualized student engagement and dynamic problem-solving approaches. However, the extent to which AI competence self-efficacy strengthens the relationship between EBP climate and creativity-nurturing behaviors remains underexplored.

To examine the relationship between EBP climate and creativity-nurturing behaviors among nurse educators, with a specific focus on the moderating role of AI competence self-efficacy. The key research question is: Does AI competence self-efficacy enhance the positive effect of EBP climate on creativity-nurturing behaviors among nurse educators?

A cross-sectional study.

Data were collected from 570 nurse educators using a structured online questionnaire measuring EBP climate, AI competence self-efficacy, and creativity-nurturing behaviors. Regression analyses, including interaction terms, assessed the moderating role of AI competence self-efficacy.

Findings indicate that both EBP climate and AI competence self-efficacy significantly predict creativity-nurturing behaviors. Furthermore, AI competence self-efficacy moderates this relationship, amplifying the positive effect for educators with higher AI competence.

EBP climate and AI competence self-efficacy are crucial in fostering creativity-nurturing behaviors among nurse educators. Higher AI competence self-efficacy enhances the ability to leverage EBP climate for creative teaching.

Nursing institutions should enhance AI competence among nurse educators through targeted AI literacy programs, faculty mentorship, and integration of AI-driven teaching tools to optimize creativity-nurturing behaviors within an evidence-based educational environment.