Generative AI literacy as a mediator between lifelong learning and AI competence in nursing students: A...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Artificial Intelligence Literacy
• Digital Competence

Background:

• Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming nursing education, necessitating AI literacy and lifelong learning skills.
• Understanding the interplay between lifelong learning, AI literacy, and generative AI usage is crucial for future nurses.
• This study investigates these relationships in nursing students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess lifelong learning tendencies among nursing students.
• To measure nursing students' generative AI literacy and AI usage/competence.
• To examine the mediating role of AI literacy in the association between lifelong learning and AI competence.

Main Methods:

• An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 533 nursing students at two state universities.
• Data collected via Personal Information Form, Lifelong Learning Tendency Scale, Generative AI Literacy Scale, and Generative AI Usage and Competence Scale.
• June-October 2025 data collection period.

Main Results:

• Nursing students exhibited high levels of generative AI literacy (36.66 ± 7.30), lifelong learning tendency (120.61 ± 22.73), and AI usage/competence (68.43 ± 12.71).
• Lifelong learning tendency positively correlated with AI usage/competence (r=0.300) and AI literacy (r=0.118).
• AI literacy strongly correlated with AI usage/competence (r=0.605), and partially mediated the relationship between lifelong learning and AI usage/competence.

Conclusions:

• Lifelong learning tendency is positively associated with AI literacy and AI usage/competence in nursing students.
• AI literacy partially mediates the relationship between lifelong learning tendency and generative AI usage/competence.
• Findings highlight the importance of fostering lifelong learning and AI literacy in nursing education, with caution advised for direct clinical application due to study design.