Do you think AI will replace Nurses one day?

[Pinkterton1234]

Do you think AI will replace Nurses one day?  I've heard things about healthcare companies in the states using AI to program their telehealth programs for patients seeking virtual healthcare, I wonder if it will be a common thing for them to replace nurses that would be working there instead with their preprogrammed algorithm? I also wonder if floor nurses would be impacted by this, a hospital in my city has a humanoid robot that can take vital signs and this was implemented years ago.

[toomuchbaloney]

It's more likely to replace provider visits.  Tele visits with an AI provider is something RFKjr has included in his remarks and plans.  

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

Many institutions are using AI Scribes now. It does not replace the provider, rather, the AI program with the patient's consent, transcribes the entire provider-patient interaction and creates a formatted SOAP note that details the patient's chief complaint, the provider's dictated VS and physical exam, and the provider-patient discussion of the plan of care including treatment options discussed. The provider can edit the note afterwards. I can see this being useful to bedside nurses to document a similar note based on their assessment of patients.

[MaxAttack, BSN, RN]

The day I stop seeing panic alarms for "asystole" when there's clearly a rhythm on the monitor or for desats when the probe isn't even on a finger is the day I'll even start to think AI can do this job.

Even then, there's too much hands-on care to realistically have a machine take over. Placing cuffs and electrodes, priming and hanging IV tubing, wound care, IV insertion... the list could go on forever. If anything, it might eventually augment what we already do.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

We actually casually speak about this at work, sure AI can process objective information (VS, labs, test results) but can't do a physical exam. It can probably do a good job reading imaging studies using computational logic (after all, EKG machines have for the longest time spit out prelim reads instantly). It can come up with differential diagnoses and even offer treatment algorithms based on national treatment guidelines. At the end of the day, if AI screws up and causes harm, who is the patient going to sue? 

[toomuchbaloney]

Corey Narry said:

We actually casually speak about this at work, sure AI can process objective information (VS, labs, test results) but can't do a physical exam. It can probably do a good job reading imaging studies using computational logic (after all, EKG machines have for the longest time spit out prelim reads instantly). It can come up with differential diagnoses and even offer treatment algorithms based on national treatment guidelines. At the end of the day, if AI screws up and causes harm, who is the patient going to sue? 

Sue the company that employs the AI. Sue the company that trained the AI. Sue the company that marketed the AI. 

[VRS82, BSN]

Not right now, but in the not too distant future, yes I think so. Humanoid technology has not advanced very rapidly for a few reasons but there is now serious money being thrown into that, and human labor will become a thing of the past, I am quite sure of it. We may still need nurses (fewer) to oversee the humanoid robots and still offer a human touch. That is how I see this going. Interesting times for sure..

[KathyDay]

Consider how technology has both helped and hurt out profession.  Much of the RNs time is spent sitting in front of a computer entering patient information into a pre programmed "hospital cash register".  Objective/subjective written notes are far and few between.  Its mostly checking off blocks in a program.  We didn't learn to be computer/cash register entry people, we learned the nursing skills/assessment/touch/care giving for human beings.  No AI or technology can ever replace the hands on, eyes on care of an RN.  

[Ricca89]

Not so sure, there is already AI phlebotomy & in other industries AI hospitality represenatives

[DoubleblessedRN, ADN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-P]

I highly doubt it, at least not in my lifetime.  Every scenario is different which requires assessments and critical thinking that a computer can't do, and labor such as physical assessments, drawing up and administering meds, and wound care just to name a few that a robot can't do.

[AI_RN, MSN]

I don't think AI will ever fully replace nurses there's just too much hands-on care, critical thinking, and human connection involved. But what worries me is how often tech is being pushed into our shifts without anyone asking us if it actually helps.I keep thinking: instead of debating "will AI replace us,” we should be asking "can AI ever truly support us?”

[Abigail Moskowitz]

Until I see AI place down a fitted sheet while also rolling up a code brown into a chuck I don't think we have anything to worry about.