Digital transformation in nursing education: exploring the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of undergraduate nursing students using ChatGPT

Introduction: The rapid digitisation of education has profoundly altered teaching, learning, and assessment methodologies, particularly in medical and nursing education. This study seeks to investigate the influence of AI-driven tools, specifically ChatGPT, on enhancing the educational experience of undergraduate nursing students. Aim/Purpose/Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning the use of ChatGPT among nursing students at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Method: A cross-sectional study utilised a convenience sample of 200 nursing students from various academic years. Data were gathered using a meticulously designed questionnaire (KAP-CQ39) derived from previous research on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Results: The results indicated that students have a high level of knowledge (99%) about the functions and potential of ChatGPT in academic environments. Attitudes regarding ChatGPT varied, with 54.5% of individuals expressing concerns about the ethical consequences, specifically related to academic honesty, while 45.5% recognised its advantages in promoting learning. The practical application of ChatGPT yielded highly favourable results, as 96% of students used it for remote learning and 87.5% diligently examined and modified the generated outputs before submission. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of incorporating AI literacy and ethical training into the nursing curriculum to maximise the advantages of digital technologies, such as ChatGPT, while addressing potential challenges. It underscores the necessity for explicit criteria and ethical frameworks to ensure the responsible application of AI technology in nursing education. This study advances the discourse on digital transformation in medical education, emphasising the need for the judicious integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve student learning outcomes.