Factors influencing student nurses' readiness to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) in their studies and their perceived barriers to accessing AI technology: A cross-sectional study

With the projected significant increase in the use of AI in nursing education, it becomes vital for nurse faculty to adequately equip student nurses with the necessary competences to effectively utilize AI in their studies. Ensuring that student nurses are prepared and ready to embrace AI technology is imperative for their successful integration into the healthcare workforce.This study aimed to examine student nurses' readiness to embrace AI technology, explore associated factors, and identify perceived barriers to accessing AI technology.Cross sectional study.One public-owned nursing school in the Philippines.Three hundred twenty-three student nurses.Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis were performed to analyze the data.The results revealed that student nurses demonstrated moderate readiness to embrace AI in their studies (M = 2.906, SD = 0.692) and perceived moderate barriers to accessing AI technology (M = 2.336, SD = 0.719). Factors associated with students' readiness to embrace AI included self-rated technological proficiency (β = 0.170, p = 0.014), understanding of AI-powered technologies (β = 0.260, p < 0.001), and perceived AI use in nursing practice (β = 0.153, p = 0.022). The study also identified potential barriers to accessing AI technology, such as lack of computer skills to navigate AI, lack of AI knowledge and awareness, and time constraints.The findings of this study provided valuable insights into the factors influencing student nurses' attitudes towards AI and shed light on their perceived barriers to accessing AI technology. By enhancing technological proficiency, increasing AI understanding, and providing practical experiences, nurse faculty can better prepare future nurses to effectively navigate the AI-driven healthcare environment and contribute to improved patient care outcomes.