Free Nursing Student Guidenursinghelpdesk.com/resources/free-guidesResponsible AI Use Guide
AI can strengthen your learning or endanger your standing, depending entirely on how you use it. This guide draws the line clearly.
Check Your Program's Policy First
Policies differ by school, program, and even course. Before using AI for anything graded, read the syllabus and ask when unclear. "I did not know" does not survive an integrity hearing.
Good Uses vs. Misconduct
The line is between supporting your learning and replacing your work.
- Good: explaining concepts, brainstorming, practice questions, studying your own notes
- Good: checking your understanding before an exam
- Misconduct: submitting AI-generated work as your own
- Misconduct: using AI where your course prohibits it
Verify Everything
AI tools produce confident errors and invented citations.
- Check every claim against credible sources
- Never cite a source an AI named without finding and reading it yourself
- Your clinical knowledge must live in your head, not a chat window
Protect Privacy
Never enter patient information, clinical details that could identify anyone, or confidential program materials into AI tools. Treat every prompt as public.
Disclose and Cite When Required
APA 7 cites the tool maker as author, with year and tool name. When your program requires disclosure, do it plainly. Transparency is the cheapest integrity insurance there is.