The nursing workforce “gets” AI and can see the promise
While burnout and staffing shortages weigh heavy on nurses’ minds, they are also creating an opportunity for new technology and care models to support the future of the profession. Most nurses across the U.S. say using AI has become commonplace and it may be able to ease the education to practice transition.
- 58% of nurses say they use GenAI in their personal lives and 46% say they use it in the workplace
- Nearly half of nurses (45%) say GenAI could help reduce nursing staff burnout by automating documentation, triaging routine patient questions, and streamlining workflows
- 62% of nurses say the integration of AI into onboarding and training helps staff become more productive by accelerating the time it takes new graduates and transfers to contribute confidently on the unit
Concerns loom about broader healthcare AI adoption
While there is plenty of optimism surrounding the use of AI across industries, including healthcare, there is a gap between how quickly consumer-grade AI is being rolled out and what that means for a more evidence-based industry like healthcare.
- Only 22% of nurse respondents report their institutions having published policies in place for GenAI use
- 22% of their organizations require formal training before deploying the tools in nursing workflows
- More than half of nurses (53%) say they worry that GenAI could undermine decision-making skills or lead to overreliance on algorithmic outputs
What comes next for healthcare AI and nursing
Balancing where technology can enhance and not detract from nurses’ daily workflows while still innovating at a health system-wide level will be a critical balance.
- 77% of nurses say they see GenAI as important to their organizations’ productivity future
- 80% of organizations say they plan to use digital strategies for professional development to create a direct opportunity to prepare nurses for AI-enabled practice
- Almost one-third (28%) of nurses say GenAI-enhanced onboarding and training make new staff more productive and confident
- 54% of nurses say GenAI can enhance innovation, while another 54% say it can improve collaboration and communication
Download the full Nursing insights: Redefining nursing practice for an AI-driven future to read more.
The Future Ready Healthcare Survey Report is a nationally representative survey conducted by Ipsos, an independent marketing research firm, in early 2025. Respondents included physicians, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals, administrators, and medical librarians across the US.
