Impact of an Immersive AI Simulation on Nursing Student Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

There is simultaneously a global shortage of mental health professionals and a rising demand for mental health services. Nurses provide the largest share of behavioral health care worldwide, yet nursing students are generally disinterested in mental health nursing and hold negative attitudes toward individuals with mental illness, frequently related to fear of saying the wrong thing to a person in crisis. Practical but innovative educational strategies are needed to prepare students to engage confidently in this field. This study examined the impact of an immersive, text-based artificial intelligence therapeutic communication simulation on nursing students' attitudes toward mental illness in behavioral and affective domains. The asynchronous, low-stakes simulation allowed students to practice communicating with an individual experiencing a mental health crisis before clinical rotations. Findings from quantitative measures, including the Community Attitudes toward Mental Illness scale, and qualitative reflections demonstrated increased confidence, reduced anxiety, and improved empathy and attitudes toward individuals with mental illness. Results suggest that artificial-intelligence-enhanced simulations represent a feasible, accessible, and valuable approach for enhancing students' preparedness and promoting more positive attitudes. Incorporating such simulations early in the curriculum may support both students' readiness to work with this population and broader efforts to address workforce shortages.