The Integration of a Diplomacy Lab in a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Research and Informatics Course: A Qualitative Study

Background: Nursing education requires innovative models to prepare practice-ready nurses with global health competencies and real-world research experience. This qualitative descriptive study examined the implementation and outcomes of integrating a U.S. Department of State Diplomacy Lab project on artificial intelligence (AI) applications in global HIV care into a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) Research and Informatics course. Method: Content analysis was conducted on de-identified student assignments from 55 RN-BSN students across three course sections, including annotated bibliographies, discussion posts, and synthesis presentations. Frequencies and comparative analyses were used to assess consistency across sections. Results: Students identified more than 30 AI technologies across the HIV care continuum, with emphasis on prevention (32%), treatment (27%), diagnosis (21%), and ethical considerations (20%). Findings were consistent across course sections (χ 2 = 2.62, p = .623). Conclusion: Integrating a Diplomacy Lab offers a replicable strategy to strengthen research competencies and align nursing education with global health priorities.