STUDY ON AI ADOPTION READINESS & ATTITUDES IN MANSEHRA PRIVATE NURSING COLLEGES STUDENTS

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing health care and education, yet effective integration in nursing education depends on students’ awareness, readiness, attitudes, and the availability of institutional support. This study assessed artificial intelligence awareness, adoption readiness, attitudes, and perceived barriers among nursing students enrolled in private nursing colleges in Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A quantitative cross sectional survey design was used. Data were collected from 130 students using a structured, self-administered questionnaire comprising demographics and AI exposure items, an AI awareness scale, an AI readiness and attitudes scale, and a perceived barriers scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests (independent samples t test, one way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation), with internal consistency assessed using Cronbach’s alpha.

Results showed that students reported strong engagement with digital tools: 94.6% owned a study device and 95.4% had used AI tools for study. Formal AI training was limited (43.1%). Overall AI awareness and attitudes were high: 74.6% of students met the study’s awareness criterion, and 92.3% reported positive attitudes toward integrating AI into nursing education. However, readiness to use AI tools was comparatively lower (65.4%). Female students demonstrated higher AI awareness than male students (p < .05), while semester of study showed no significant association with awareness. The most frequently reported barriers were privacy concerns (86.2%), limited digital infrastructure (76.9%), and fear of job displacement (71.5%), lack of structured training (66.9%), cost and accessibility issues (64.6%), and limited faculty preparedness (56.9%).

The study concludes that although nursing students in Mansehra private colleges show favorable attitudes toward AI, practical readiness is constrained by training gaps, infrastructure limitations, and ethical and professional concerns. It is recommended that AI content be formally integrated into nursing curricula alongside faculty development, infrastructure strengthening, and clear institutional guidelines for ethical and safe use. Future research should evaluate training interventions and include broader, probability based sampling for improved generalizability.