American Nurse Journal (ANJ)Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nursing

AI technologies are reshaping the world of nursing, creating opportunities for enhanced patient care and efficiency in healthcare delivery. In this ever-evolving landscape, nurses can use AI to guide decisions, take autonomous actions, and predict risks, making them critical players in this transformation.

Clinical decision support tools, empowered by AI, assist nurses in making informed clinical decisions. These tools, such as alerts in the electronic health record (EHR), clinical practice guidelines, and order sets, boost the accuracy and specificity of predictions and suggestions beyond human capacity. For example, AI algorithms can accurately predict fall risks and suggest interventions, ensuring patients’ safety while reducing human error.

Meanwhile, mobile health and sensor-based technologies are paving the way for remote patient care. These technologies, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, allow nurses to deliver care and monitor patients with limited resources, proving particularly beneficial for managing chronic illnesses. Through smartphones, apps, and wearable technologies, nurses can receive real-time data about patients’ health and respond accordingly.

In addition to these, voice assistants and robotics are joining the nursing workforce. Voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant can potentially collect patient data and remind patients about medication or checkups, easing the load on nursing staff. Similarly, robotics technology provides remote care companions and telepresence robots, which proved especially useful during the pandemic.

However, the integration of AI in nursing also presents challenges. Understanding the functionality of AI compared to traditional tools is crucial for nurses to make informed decisions. Moreover, AI tools need to be designed and evaluated with nurses’ input, ensuring their effective use in practice.

Despite these challenges, AI’s transformative power in nursing is undeniable. By aiding risk identification, recommending interventions, and streamlining workflow, AI is redefining the future of nursing. To ensure person-centered care, nurses need to actively contribute to AI’s advancement, shaping a healthcare future that places patients at the core.