This study investigates the impact of Serious Games (SGs) and ChatGPT on nursing education, focusing on usability, learning outcomes, engagement, skill transfer, and future usage intentions. Using a multi-phase design aligned with the ADDIE instructional model, the study explores how these tools facilitate learning through experiential and cognitive pathways. In the first phase, students designed instructional interventions using the ADDIE model, while the second phase introduced ChatGPT as an AI-driven support tool. Findings reveal that SGs promote experiential learning by enhancing clinical skills, emergency response, and procedure retention. Usability metrics were high, with 79% of participants rating interface intuitiveness positively. Conversely, ChatGPT-supported cognitive scaffolding, enabling faster and more effective instructional design. Students reported a significant increase in familiarity with AI, with 68.4% moving from “low” to “medium” familiarity. Engagement and motivation were strong for both tools, with 84.2% of participants intending to continue using ChatGPT. Despite its small sample size (n = 19), this study highlights the potential for hybrid models that integrate SGs and AI to improve nursing education. It calls for the incorporation of these tools into curricula, emphasizing experiential learning (SGs) and cognitive support (AI), thereby addressing both procedural and conceptual learning needs.