AI Literacy as a Mediator Between Education Climate and Learning Agency in Nursing Students

AIM: To examine the mediating role of artificial intelligence (AI) literacy in the relationship between educational climate and student learning agency in generative AI-supported contexts among nursing students. BACKGROUND: Fostering learning agency is critical for preparing autonomous, engaged learners in the era of AI. The influence of a supportive educational climate on learning agency may depend on students' AI literacy. The interplay between them remains underexplored in nursing education. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to March 2025 with 1,867 nursing students from seven junior colleges in China. Students completed anonymous online questionnaires, including the Educational Climate Inventory, AI Literacy Scale for Nonexperts, and the Student Learning Agency in Generative AI-Supported Contexts (SLA-GAI) scale. RESULTS: Educational climate and AI literacy were positively associated with SLA-GAI. AI literacy partially mediated the relationship between educational climate and student learning agency. CONCLUSION: Educational climate and AI literacy are key to fostering SLA-GAI in nursing students. Integrating AI literacy training and building supportive learning environments may better prepare students for AI-integrated education and clinical practice.