Enhancing Interactive Teaching for the Next Generation of Nurses: Generative-AI–Assisted Design of a Full-Day Professional Development Workshop

Introduction: Nursing educators and clinical leaders face persistent challenges in engaging the next generation of nurses, often characterized by short attention spans, frequent phone use, and underdeveloped communication skills. This article describes the design and delivery of a full-day interactive teaching workshop for nursing faculty, senior clinical nurses, and nurse leaders, developed using a design-thinking approach supported by generative AI. Methods: The workshop comprised three thematic sessions: (1) Learning styles across generations, (2) Interactive teaching methods, and (3) Application of interactive teaching strategies. Generative AI was used during planning to create icebreakers, discussion prompts, clinical teaching scenarios, and application templates. Design decisions emphasized low-tech, low-prep strategies suitable for spontaneous clinical teaching, thereby reducing barriers to adoption. Activities included emoji-card introductions, quick generational polls, color-paper reflections, portable whiteboard brainstorming, role plays, fishbowl discussions, gallery walks, and movement-based group exercises. Results: Analysis of 59 participant reflections revealed six interconnected themes, grouped into three categories: engagement and experiential learning, practical applicability and generational awareness, and facilitation, environment, and motivation. Participants emphasized the workshop’s lively pace and hands-on design, noting “It was impossible to fall asleep; we were always talking, sharing, writing, or moving.” Experiencing strategies firsthand built confidence for application, while generational awareness encouraged reflection on adapting methods for younger learners. The facilitator’s passion, personable approach, and structured use of peer learning created a psychologically safe and motivating climate, leaving participants recharged and inspired to integrate interactive methods. Discussion: The workshop illustrates how AI-assisted, design-thinking-driven professional development can model effective strategies for next-generation learners. When paired with skilled facilitation, AI-supported planning enhances engagement, fosters reflective practice, and promotes immediate transfer of interactive strategies into diverse teaching settings.