Revolutionizing Pediatric Nursing Education with AI
Revolutionizing Pediatric Nursing Education with AI
Emily Palladino
This past semester, I incorporated artificial intelligence into every class of my undergraduate pediatric nursing course and the results were transformative.
Developing high-quality, engaging case studies that reflect real-world pediatric scenarios is incredibly time-consuming. As faculty, we strive to create content that challenges students, mirrors clinical realities, and supports critical thinking. Balancing that with other academic responsibilities can be a significant challenge.
To address this, I began using AI tools to generate new pediatric case studies and
accompanying questions for each class session.
These AI-generated scenarios were built around the content for that class from respiratory illnesses in infants, congenital anomalies, or developmental assessments in toddlers. The AI provided realistic cases that included vital signs, patient history, family dynamics, and cultural considerations. This not only saved me valuable preparation time, but also allowed me to deliver fresh, relevant content consistently.
Once the case study was created, I used AI to generate customized questions ranging
from NCLEX-style multiple choice to open-ended discussion prompts and clinical reasoning exercises. The questions encouraged students to prioritize care, think critically, and apply classroom knowledge to complex pediatric situations.
Each class had a new AI-generated case study which greatly improved student engagement. Instead of passively receiving information, students dove into the material
and asked questions, shared clinical insights, and collaborated to make informed care decisions. The diversity and realism of the scenarios helped students explore not only
physical health conditions, but also family-centered care, communication strategies, and the social determinants of health.
The outcome? The students in this cohort achieved the highest average grades the course has seen. Their exam scores improved significantly, and their participation in class discussions was consistently deeper and more thoughtful.
Integrating AI into every session allowed me to elevate the course content without the overwhelming prep time that custom case development often requires. I could adjust the complexity of each scenario to match the group’s learning needs, introduce nuanced situations, and offer real-time variations to reinforce key concepts. AI helped me meet my students where they were and challenge them to think like nurses.
AI has proven to be an invaluable instructional partner by enhancing creativity, improving student outcomes, and supporting a more personalized, dynamic education. While it doesn’t replace the expertise or presence of the educator, it empowers us to focus more on guiding, coaching, and connecting with students.