Key Takeaways
- Artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing includes smart decision-support systems, prediction tools for early warning signs, time-saving workflow tools, and custom learning platforms tailored to each nurse's needs.
- AI tools can detect early signs of sepsis 12 to 48 hours before symptoms become critical by analyzing clinical data such as vital signs and provider notes.3
- A survey of over 7,200 nurses found 64% wanted more AI tools; top concerns were accuracy, loss of human interaction, and lack of training.1
- Common misconceptions include that AI will replace professionals, that it makes better decisions than humans, and that it is infallible and objective.
- Ethical concerns around AI in healthcare include algorithm bias and health equity, privacy and data security, and the risk of losing essential human connection in care.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being integrated into healthcare systems to support—not replace—nurses, through tools like decision-support systems, early warning prediction, and workflow automation.
“AI is accelerating innovations in healthcare and nursing education,” says Dr. Debra Sullivan, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI, a senior core faculty member teaching Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) courses at Walden University.
In a faculty discussion on AI for Nurses: Enhancing Practice, Not Replacing Care, Dr. Sullivan explored the evolving role of artificial intelligence in nursing, unpacking real-world applications, addressing common concerns and misconceptions, and highlighting emerging opportunities.
AI in Healthcare: From Concept to Care
AI has been around longer than you might think, Dr. Sullivan says. The idea of machines “thinking” like humans took shape in the 1950s and 1960s, when visionaries Alan Turing and John McCarthy introduced concepts like machine learning and symbolic reasoning. Over the years, faster computers and smarter algorithms led to big leaps—from early expert systems to today’s deep learning and generative AI tools.
What Are the Current and Emerging Applications of AI in Nursing?
Some of the current and emerging applications of AI in nursing discussed include:
- Smart systems that help doctors and nurses make decisions by reviewing patient information and offering clear, evidence-based recommendations.
- Prediction tools that spot early warning signs to identify patients at higher risk and alert staff before their condition worsens.
- Time-saving tools for hospital staff that simplify routine tasks and improve workflow.
- Custom learning platforms for nurses that provide training and education tailored to each person’s needs.
The discussion also touched on how generative AI can be beneficial in making diagnoses, designing treatment paths, and predicting the spread of disease, and how it can be helpful in breast cancer screenings, interpreting echocardiograms, assessing cardiac function, and screening for lung cancer.
What AI Can’t Do in Healthcare
While AI offers powerful tools for improving efficiency, accuracy, and access to information, misconceptions about its role in healthcare persist. Recognizing the capabilities and boundaries of technology is essential for creating a healthcare system that is ethical, efficient, and focused on the patient.
What Are Common Misconceptions About AI in Healthcare?
Dr. Sullivan debunked these common misconceptions about AI in healthcare:
- AI will replace healthcare professionals. AI is designed to support and enhance healthcare practice, not replace human interaction and care.
- AI makes better decisions than humans. While AI can process data quickly, it lacks human intuition and contextual understanding.
- AI is infallible and objective. AI models can produce biased or incorrect results depending on the data used to train them.
What Ethical Concerns Does AI Raise in Healthcare?
While AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, it also raises ethical concerns, Dr. Sullivan says. These include:
- Bias in AI algorithms and its impact on health equity
- Privacy and data security concerns
- The risk of losing essential human connection in healthcare
“Nurses must advocate for diverse representative data and ensure that AI tools undergo regular audits to identify and mitigate biases,” Dr. Sullivan says.
Healthcare professionals also must protect patient confidentiality and ensure that AI tools handle data transparently and securely.
How Do Healthcare Professionals View AI?
Misconceptions about AI sometimes stem from uncertainty about how it’s being used, or will be used, in healthcare. To better understand these perspectives, McKinsey & Company and the American Nurses Foundation surveyed over 7,200 nurses about AI and its role in healthcare. Dr. Sullivan shared these findings:1
- 64% of nurses wanted to see more AI tools incorporated into their work.
- 42% were hopeful that AI would improve patient care, while 23% were uncomfortable about its prospects.
- Top concerns about AI included trust in accuracy (61%), lack of human interaction (49%), and lack of knowledge on how to use AI (36%).
These findings highlight a mix of optimism and caution among nurses. Many see AI as a powerful ally, but have concerns about accuracy, human connection, and training. Despite these reservations, there are examples of AI delivering tangible benefits in patient care.
How Is AI Used to Detect Sepsis?
One area where AI is making a real difference is in fighting sepsis, a life-threatening condition that annually affects between 47 million and 50 million people and kills at least 11 million worldwide.2 In busy acute care settings, where decisions must be made quickly, sepsis can progress before it’s even recognized.
But research shows AI can help change that. By analyzing a wide range of clinical data—from vital signs to provider notes—AI tools can detect early signs of sepsis 12 to 48 hours before symptoms become critical.3 AI tools that can flag risk early and support treatment decisions could help doctors and nurses act sooner—which can save lives.
Shaping the Next Chapter of Healthcare
From spotting life-threatening conditions earlier to streamlining everyday workflows, AI in nursing is opening new possibilities for what healthcare teams can achieve. But as Dr. Sullivan notes, “AI is not replacing nurses; it’s empowering them by embracing AI as a tool for learning, research, efficiency, and leadership.”
For nursing students and future healthcare leaders, mastering both the science of care and the power of technology can help set you apart. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from Walden University can help you gain expertise you can use to lead with confidence in this new healthcare era.
Walden’s online MSN degree program is designed to prepare you with skills relevant to leadership and advanced practice registered nursing roles. If your passion is direct care, you can select one of these nurse practitioner specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care (PNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
If your nursing career goal is to work in specialty practice, you can choose one of these timely specializations:
Offered in an online format, Walden’s master’s in nursing program offers a flexible and accessible path to advancing your nursing education. By earning an MSN degree online, you can help balance your education with work and personal responsibilities, while also gaining skills and knowledge you can apply to your nursing career goals.
You can get more information online or by calling 855-646-5286. Discover new ways to grow as a nursing professional with Walden’s MSN program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace nurses and other healthcare professionals?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is designed to support and enhance healthcare practice, not replace human interaction and care. As Dr. Sullivan notes, AI is empowering nurses by serving as a tool for learning, research, and efficiency.
How can AI help detect sepsis?
AI tools can analyze a wide range of clinical data—from vital signs to provider notes—to detect early signs of sepsis 12 to 48 hours before symptoms become critical.
What are the main concerns nurses have about AI?
According to a McKinsey & Company and American Nurses Foundation survey of over 7,200 nurses, top concerns include trust in accuracy (61%), lack of human interaction (49%), and lack of knowledge on how to use AI (36%).
What ethical concerns does AI raise in healthcare?
Ethical concerns include bias in AI algorithms and its impact on health equity, privacy and data security, and the risk of losing essential human connection in healthcare.
What are some current and emerging applications of AI in nursing?
Applications include smart decision-support systems that offer evidence-based recommendations, prediction tools that spot early warning signs, time-saving tools that simplify routine tasks, and custom learning platforms that provide tailored training for nurses.
Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. Earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
1Source: www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/the-pulse-of-nurses-perspectives-on-ai-in-healthcare-delivery
2Source: www.worldsepsisday.org/sepsisfacts
3Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7846756/
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Walden University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed to provide the academic degree required to apply for national certifications. Because no graduate program can guarantee that graduates will achieve national certification, we encourage students to consult the appropriate credentialing center for the specific requirements. It is an individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification as requirements vary widely. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification. For more information about certification programs, students should contact the American Nurses Credentialing Center at www.nursingworld.org/ancc, or other certification websites.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, the baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Walden is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
