NURSING STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVES ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES IN HEALTHCARE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Objective: This study aimed to explore nursing students’ perceptions of artificial intelligence and robotic technologies in healthcare. Method: A descriptive qualitative research design was employed to explore the experiences of 43 nursing students. The study was carried out at a public university in Türkiye during the spring semester of the 2023-2024 academic year. Data were collected via a “Participant Information Form” and a semi-structured “Student Interview Form on the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Technologies in Healthcare”. Descriptive statistics summarized the quantitative data, while thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative responses. Ethical approval was obtained before the study. Results: Among the participants, 53.5% were male, and 58.2% were between 23 and 25 years of age. Additionally, 32.6% reported using the internet for four or more hours per day. Furthermore, 51.2% of the students stated that they were familiar with the concept of artificial intelligence, while 44.2% reported having partial familiarity with its applications in healthcare. Thematic analysis identified five major themes: Areas of Application, Positive Impact on Patient-Nurse Interaction, Negative Impact on Patient-Nurse Interaction, Ethical Issues, and Future Potential. Students acknowledged the benefits of artificial intelligence in improving efficiency, accuracy, and care quality, but also raised concerns about ethical challenges, empathy loss, and weakened nurse-patient relationships. Conclusion: The findings indicate that nursing students are aware of both the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence and robotics in healthcare. Their perspectives highlight the importance of preparing future nurses to critically engage with emerging technologies. Therefore, it is recommended that nursing curricula include comprehensive content on AI and robotic systems, accompanied by training in ethical reasoning and clinical judgment. Furthermore, when implementing such innovations in clinical practice, it is essential to conduct thorough risk assessments and to prioritize patient safety and the preservation of compassionate care.