Nurses' Experiences with Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Settings: A Qualitative Exploration of Advantages, Limitations, and Ethical Dimensions

Abstract

To explore nurses' experiences with artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical settings, examining advantages, limitations, and ethical dimensions. A qualitative descriptive design was used, with semi-structured interviews conducted with 22 registered nurses (≥6 months of AI experience) from acute care and outpatient settings. Data underwent inductive thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: (1) Enhancing Efficiency and Clinical Confidence (reduced administrative burden, improved deterioration detection); (2) Operational Barriers and Erosion of Autonomy (technical reliability [n=20], alert fatigue [n=18], skill atrophy); and (3) Ethical Ambiguities in Algorithmic Care (data privacy [95.5%], accountability gaps [86.4%]). Participants valued AI support but warned against over-reliance, which could undermine clinical intuition. AI integration offers workflow benefits but poses ethical and operational challenges. A human-centered implementation that prioritizes privacy, accountability, and autonomy is essential. Recommendations include robust governance, training, and policy to ensure AI supports rather than replaces human judgment.

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