Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41545825›Full record

ArticleBMC nursing2026

Applications, attitudes and ethical considerations of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) in nursing education: a scoping review.

Philip Hardie, Andrew Darley, Rosemarie Derwin, Jessica Eustace-Cook, Sean Kearns, Barry Mc Brien, Aysha Siddiquee, David Zheng, Mary Mooney

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Philip HardieSchool of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. phardie@tcd.ie.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1950-5095
Andrew DarleySchool of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Rosemarie DerwinSchool of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Jessica Eustace-CookThe Library, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Sean KearnsSchool of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Barry Mc BrienSchool of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Aysha SiddiqueePerelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States.
David ZhengSchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States.
Mary MooneySchool of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGenerative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) is a type of artificial intelligence that can learn from and mimic large amounts of data to create content such as text, images, music, videos, code, and more, based on inputs or prompts. Gen AI technologies are being increasingly integrated into healthcare education, including the field of nursing, where they are utilised to support a range of pedagogical activities. PURPOSE: This scoping review examined and described the application of Gen AI as a teaching, learning and assessment strategy in Nursing education and examined the ethical implications of and attitudes towards its implementation.

methodsWe conducted a scoping review using a combination of methodological approaches, including Arksey and O'Malley's 5-step framework, the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, and JBI evidence synthesis methods and searched five databases: EMBASE (Elsevier), Web of Science Core (Clarivate), CINAHL & Medline (EBSCO), Applied Social Science Index and Abstracts, and ERIC (ProQuest). A wide search of grey literature was also conducted. Literature published in English between January 1st 2014, and July 1st 2025 was included in the review.

resultsOf the 1,251 articles retrieved, we identified 103 articles for inclusion in the review. There were 44 discussion/opinion/conference papers and 59 empirical research papers. Gen AI has predominantly been used for content creation simulation, personalised learning, tutoring, skill development and assessment. Students and Educators describe mixed attitudes towards the implementation of Gen AI, with several ethical concerns regarding the application of Gen AI in nursing education evident, including privacy, transparency, bias, and accountability issues.

conclusionWhile there is growing openness to Gen AI, a body of work remains regarding ethical and educational challenges. Recommendations for educational practice and curriculum development include a need for clear policies and guidelines to ensure the ethical use of Gen AI resources by educators and students. Further research is needed to understand long-term effects and promote responsible implementation within the context of nursing education.

Indexed as

AI educationEducational technologyGenerative artificial intelligence (Gen AI)Nursing educationScoping review

Identifiers

PMID41545825
PMCPMC12892504

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.