Purpose: Clinical practicum is often a highly stressful experience for nursing students, and the flexible use of both personal and external resources, such as Generative AI, may facilitate their active adaptation to the clinical environment. However, further empirical research is warranted to comprehensively evaluate the role of Generative AI in supporting nursing students' adaptation to clinical practicum. Methods: A qualitative research approach, purposive and snowball sampling method was employed to explore the role of Generative AI- ChatGPT and the factors influencing its use among nursing students during their practicum. The study involved 20 participants (15 females and 5 males) enrolled in a four-year bachelor's degree nursing program in Eastern Taiwan. Semi structured interviews were conducted. The interview data were systematically analyzed using the eight-step content analysis. Results: Students reported using Generative AI- ChatGPT for various purposes, including writing reflection reports, translating between English and Chinese, conducting reference searches, taking exams, scripting dialogues, and having informal chats. The role of Generative AI in supporting nursing students' adaptation included four main themes, each comprising three to four sub-themes: “Convenient AI assistant,” “Challenges of using ChatGPT,” “Enhancing self-learning effectiveness,” and “Gap between Generative AI and practical nursing.” Conclusions: Generative AI- ChatGPT is a valuable AI assistant that supports student learning in nursing practicum. Nursing educators should guide students to use Generative AI appropriately and consider incorporating it into their instructional strategies, rather than imposing blanket restrictions on its use Keywords: Generative artificial intelligence (AI), nursing students, nursing education.

Hui-Man Huang has completed his PhD from National Taipei University of Nursing and Health. She is an RN and associate professor as well. He has published many international papers which related to nursing education and AI usage in nursing courses, such as app, AR, and generative AI.