Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Training for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students: A Case Study and Future Directions for Virtual Reality Integration.

Background: Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) play a vital role in addressing substance use disorders, particularly in underserved regions. Objective: This article aimed to explore the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) screen-based simulation in enhancing PMHNP training by using a large language model to process and understand human language. Methods: Three PMHNP students in a second-semester adult mental health course piloted a web-based AI simulation. Two completed postsimulation surveys assessing ease of use, realism, and educational impact. Results: Students reported increased confidence and found the simulation engaging, user-friendly, and realistic. They noted the absence of nonverbal cues but praised responsiveness and relevance. All respondents recommended the simulation for broader use. Conclusions: ns AI-based SBIRT training tools are promising for scalable, consistent, and effective PMHNP education. Implications for Nursing: Integration of AI and future virtual reality platforms utilizing a 3D display in a headset may improve mental health provider preparedness, access to simulation in rural areas, and educational outcomes while maintaining the foundational principles of therapeutic communication.