Abstract
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming the nursing profession, enhancing patient care, and shaping future nursing practice. Understanding nursing students' attitudes toward AI applications is crucial for its effective integration into clinical practice and education. AIM: To evaluate nursing students' attitudes toward AI in Palestine. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was conducted among 325 nursing students. Due to logistical constraints, data were gathered via online surveys using the AI attitude scale. The research was conducted between February and March 2024 at Arab American University in Palestine. RESULTS: The results showed that the average attitudes toward using AI in nursing practice scores (M = 61.81; SD = 9.74) were significantly greater than the neutral score (p = .001). Nursing students have a positive attitude toward AI in terms of benefits and willingness to use it in nursing practice. However, nursing students have a neutral attitude toward the practical advantages of AI and exhibit a negative attitude toward the dangers of AI in nursing. Furthermore, gender, academic year, and purpose of AI had statistically significant differences in nursing students' attitudes toward AI (p = .034, .039, and 0.042 respectively). Female students showed higher levels of attitudes toward AI usage, while participants with master's degree participants had the lowest level of attitudes toward AI. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that nursing students have a positive attitude toward the integration of AI into nursing and healthcare practice, along with significant intentions to utilize the technology. The results highlight the need for AI-focused training within nursing curricula.