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In a 2024 AMA survey, 2 in 3 physicians (66%) reported using AI-powered health apps. In the 2023 AMA survey, it was only 38% – or a 78% year-over-year increase. Indeed, AI is an increasingly pervasive presence in the healthcare industry.
Physicians and other healthcare professionals use AI for many purposes, including:
- Diagnostics and imaging
- Personalized treatments
- Operational efficiency
- Drug discovery and development
- Remote diagnosis, monitoring, and care
- Predictive analytics
- Surgery and rehabilitation
Nurses must also understand AI and its health-focused apps. After all, their job involves collaborating with physicians in personalized patient care. Nurses use AI in many ways, too, including:
- Improve patient care through data-driven insights and decisions
- Enhance workflow efficiency, such as in patient monitoring, medication administration, and documentation
- Ensure safe and ethics-based practice, especially in advocating for patient rights
Being a tech- and AI-savvy nurse also means being more competitive for jobs and promotions.
Indeed, AI isn’t inherently designed as a replacement for nurses, far from it. Instead, nurses must use AI as a digital tool to improve patient care and outcomes.
Nurses and Their Evolving Roles in AI-Driven Healthcare Systems
In the past, there was a widespread concern that AI and robots could replace human nurses. But as time went on, nurses realized that it wasn’t the case. Instead, nurses and their traditional roles have evolved with the AI revolution.
Here are a few of the ways that nurses’ roles have evolved and expanded.
More Focus on the Human-Centered Aspects of Patient Care
Nurses perform many repetitive – and time-consuming – tasks (e.g., data entry). But AI apps, such as BD Pyxis MedStation, can handle these tasks now. Nurses can focus more on patient care that demands clinical decision-making and empathy.
With AI-powered systems taking on repetitive tasks, nurses experience less burnout, too. In turn, it improves patient care and operational efficiency.
More Effective Human-Computer Collaboration
Nurses must use their informed clinical intuition even with AI tools in place. In other words, use AI to support decision-making, not as a replacement for human insight.
Think of these scenarios where AI complements human insight and clinical intuition.
- AI signals a potential adverse drug interaction. But you recognize that it isn’t relevant because the patient isn’t taking the drug anymore.
- AI alerts early signs of sepsis. You perform a bedside assessment, confirm sepsis, and give appropriate intervention.
- AI suggests a low risk of falls. But you observe the patient being unsteady on his feet and other signs. You then start fall prevention measures.
More Access to Telehealth Services
Nurses aren’t limited to brick-and-mortar facilities anymore, thanks to AI in telehealth. Real-time virtual consultations, triage, and monitoring are common. AI chatbots make telehealth more accessible on a 24/7 basis, too.
These AI technologies allow nurses to expand their reach, too. Remote, rural, and underserved communities enjoy the benefits of telehealth the most.
Furthermore, nurses aren’t the only end users of AI-powered technology and tools. Nurses are also becoming more involved in their design, development, and implementation. Their role in leading digital transformations in healthcare settings cannot be overemphasized either.
Popular AI Tools in Current Nursing Practice
As AI technology evolves, so do the AI tools in nursing practice. Continuous learning is then a must to keep up with emerging and new AI tools.
Here’s a brief overview of the most common AI tools used in nursing today.
Predictive Analytics and Early Warning Systems
Proactive nursing care becomes more effective with predictive analytics and early warning systems. AI-powered analytics can:
- Alert for signs of life-threatening conditions (e.g., sepsis) before these become critical
- Aid nurses in identifying high-risk patients and prioritizing care
- Help nurses customize discharge plans and follow-up care
Epic Sepsis Model, Cerner AEWS, and MEDITECH’s Deterioration Index are prime examples.
Virtual Nursing Assistants
AI chatbots and virtual assistants are popular for the following features:
- 24/7 patient interaction frees up the nurses’ time for other tasks. AI chatbots, for example, answer common questions and offer self-care guidance.
- Patient support in the management of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes). AI tools assist patients in tracking their symptoms and progress.
- Mental health tracking. Virtual assistants can detect signs of depression, panic attacks, and anxiety. Language analysis is a common technique.
The brands Florence, Gyant, and Molly (Sensely) are familiar names among nurses.
Smart Devices and Wearables
Nurses also use smart devices and wearables to improve patient care and outcomes. The real-time, data-centric information contributes to more informed decision-making.
Here are a few examples of what AI can do for this purpose.
- Continuous tracking of vitals instead of regular manual checks (i.e., more time for other tasks)
- Automated alerts that allow nurses to make quicker interventions
- Safety features, such as pressure sore and fall detection
Philips IntelliVue Guardian Solution, BioIntelliSense BioButton, and Current Health are popular brands.
Medication Management Tools
Medication management is among the most critical roles in nursing. Even the smallest error can spell the difference between life and death—and get professionals entangled in a lawsuit! Nurses use AI-powered medication management tools for effective administration, among others.
A few examples of these tools include:
- Smart infusion pumps (e.g., BD Alaris™ System)
- Clinical decision support systems (e.g., Cerner Millennium® CDSS)
- Automated dispensing cabinets (e.g., Omnicell® XT Cabinets)
Documentation and Workflow Automation
Nurses use AI-powered tools to streamline task management and clinical documentation. It translates to increased efficiency and more time spent on direct patient care.
A few prime examples of these tools include:
- Automated scheduling and task reminders (e.g., UKG)
- Voice recognition software (e.g., Nuance Dragon Medical One)
- Clinical dashboards (e.g., Qventus)
Nurses must learn the features of the AI-powered tools available in their workplace. There’s a learning curve involved, but once you learn, you can optimize their features.
Ethical Issues Nurses Must Be Aware of in AI Use
But like any tool, AI-powered tools have their ethical issues and limitations.
Patient Data Protection and Privacy
Personal health data is a vital component of AI systems – without it, AI won’t function so well. But it creates potential risks, including:
- Data breaches and misuse
- Unauthorized access to personal information
- Lack of transparency in data use
Bias and Inequity in AI Algorithms
AI tools don’t have human discernment – at least, not yet. For this reason, AI tools can reproduce and amplify disparities and biases.
This is particularly true if an AI tool has been trained on biased or inequitable datasets. Let’s say it has been trained using images of light-skinned people with skin cancer. The risk is of misdiagnosis for patients of color and delayed skin cancer treatment.
Accountability and Clinical Judgment
If AI recommendations result in errors, who’s to blame – the developers, the hospital, or the nurses? As such, nurses must avoid unquestioning reliance on AI-powered tools.
Instead, you must exercise clinical judgment and human intuition at all times. Proper documentation of clinical decisions is a must, too.
Informed Consent and Patient Autonomy
Patients must understand AI’s role in their treatment plan. Nurses must also ensure that patients have the right to make informed decisions. Patients have the right to refuse any AI-based intervention; nurses must respect it.
Skills Nurses Must Have to Thrive in AI-Enhanced Settings
Nurses must continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn skills in AI-enhanced settings. But there are skills vital in the healthcare industry, whatever changes may be coming.
- Tech literacy and how AI tools work and their effective use
- Data interpretation and integration into clinical decision-making
- Clinical judgment and critical thinking skills
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Patient education and advocacy skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Leadership and innovation
Best Nursing Schools for AI Training in Nursing
Explore these universities for their strong integration of AI in their training.
Duke University – School of Nursing
Duke’s MSN in Health Care Systems program offers a Health Informatics concentration. Candidates tackle rigorous courses in data analytics and AI.
Columbia University – School of Nursing
Such is Columbia’s commitment to AI that it has its Office of Artificial Intelligence (OAI). It seeks to integrate AI into its academics, clinical practice, and research programs. Columbia’s nursing programs emphasize AI integration in nursing practice.
Florida State University – College of Nursing
FSU offers an MSN in AI Applications in Health Care concentration. Candidates learn about AI-powered healthcare tools, among others.
Florida Atlantic University – The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
FAU’s BSN-to-MSN in Artificial Intelligence is a one-of-a-kind program in many ways. Graduates work as clinical analysts, nursing informatics specialists, and more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AI in nursing is a transformative force. With its tools, nurses become more effective and efficient in patient care. More importantly, nurses have more time and energy to focus on the core of nursing:
- Human connections that build a patient’s trust in healthcare professionals
- Direct and meaningful patient interactions, advocacy, and education
- Effective clinical decision-making that improves patient outcomes
Indeed, AI won’t replace humans in nursing. Why? Nursing is a human-centric profession.
However, nurses must also be aware of the best practices for AI use in their profession. Continuous learning and an open mind are a must. So are empathy, human connection, and ethical judgment.
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