Application of the Technology Acceptance Model to Predict Nursing Students’ Intention to Use Informatics: Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Nursing informatics is essential for digital health transformation; however, the technology acceptance of undergraduate nursing students in Saudi Arabia remains underexplored. Objective: This study examined factors influencing nursing students' intention to use informatics technologies using the technology acceptance model. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 132 undergraduate nursing students. Data were analyzed using descriptive, correlational, and hierarchical regression analyses. Results: Perceived usefulness (mean 3.68, SD 1.22) and perceived ease of use (mean 3.64, SD 1.32) were the strongest predictors of acceptance, together explaining 87% of the variance (R²=0.87; β=0.323 for usefulness, P<.001; β=0.195 for ease of use, P=.032). Only 25.8% (n=34) of the students often used electronic health records, while 31.8% (n=42) had no electronic health record experience, indicating a clear gap in practical informatics exposure. Conclusions: Nursing students' acceptance of informatics is primarily driven by its perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. These findings highlight the urgent need to integrate practical, user-centered informatics training and clinical simulation into undergraduate nursing curricula to better prepare students for technology-based practice.