Artificial Intelligence Enhancement Program: Its Effect on Nurse Managers' Professional Identity and Managerial Competencies

Background: The digital transformation of the healthcare sector demands a significant change to secure a competitive edge in the labor market. Recently, artificial intelligence has captured the attention of nurse managers, who are currently discussing whether to fully integrate it into their roles. Purpose: To investigate the effect of an artificial intelligence enhancement program on nurse managers' professional identity and managerial competencies. Research Design: Quasi-experimental research design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. Setting: The study was carried out at two distinct hospitals: Menoufia University Hospital and El-Shefa Private Hospital, Menoufia Governorate. Sample: All nurse managers at different managerial levels (n=100) in the previously mentioned setting. Instruments: First: Managers’ knowledge about artificial intelligence questionnaire, (Second): Managers’ perception of artificial intelligence questionnaire, (Third): The professional identity scale and (Fourth): the managerial competency assessment scale. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in nurse managers’ knowledge level (6.33+1.74 pretest Vs. 11.3 +1.68 posttest), perceptions regarding AI (49.8% pretest Vs. 85.8 posttest), professional identity (58.5+9.81 pretest Vs. 225.4±34.5posttest), and managerial competencies (70.8+18.3 pretest Vs. 143.2+7.80 posttest) Conclusion: It was concluded that the artificial intelligence enhancement program has a positive effect on improving nurse managers' knowledge level, perception towards artificial intelligence, professional identity, and managerial competencies. Recommendations: Hospital administration should organize workshops and training sessions to advance the culture concerning the implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare settings.