Technology can be transformative – consider how the mobile phone changed how we communicate with friends and family, or how videoconferencing has created a whole new realm of hybrid working opportunities.
For nursing, a highly respected and sought-after profession, how will developments in new and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) change how they operate? As the United States continues to experience a change in demographics, as nursing needs, how will new and experienced nurse practitioners, such as AGNP-C qualified practitioners, harness these new technologies to improve the quality of life of their patients?Â
As we’ll soon discover, AI presents a unique array of opportunities for nursing practitioners of all fields – although there are risks that even the most seasoned professional must be aware of.
Nursing – A Transforming Profession
Nursing is facing an inflection point in how care is currently offered. The United States is one of many nations experiencing a change in demography – over the past fifteen years, experiencing a decline in the birth rate of more than 20%. This, combined with enhancements in medical treatments and improvements to healthcare more broadly, has resulted in a world where Americans are living longer than ever before, but are having fewer children – resulting in population growth that is largely driven by immigration.
This transformation in demographics will require a rethink of the skills and capabilities required for nurses to succeed in the decades ahead. Research conducted by the Urban Institute, a leading think-tank, found that by 2040, the number of Americans aged 65 or more was expected to double by the end of the next decade.Â
This change will undoubtedly result in a greater need for nursing practitioners who are qualified to work with a range of different age groups, across nursing specializations such as gerontology, as well as facilitators who are capable of working across a flexible range of age groups.
Balancing Act – Managing Nursing Capacity
More and more nurses will be needed to address skills shortages in the decades ahead, that much is clear. The Health Resources and Services Administration projecting significant shortfalls in many nursing specializations for at least the next decade, a figure that many departments agree with.
It will be imperative for hospital administrators to identify ways that they can reallocate manual tasks, such as paperwork, away from practitioners, so they can spend time working on more complex patient issues. For many administrators, it will be important to understand the benefits and challenges of using AI to automate and simplify roles – as well as the legal obligations of record holders under data protection acts such as the HIPAA Act.
Using AI To Manage Patient Records
One such area of nursing that could be supported through the use of AI is the management of patient records. Research conducted on the time that nurses spend on care, administration, and other activities, presented at the American Medical Informatics Association’s Annual Symposium, found that qualified nurses spend approximately 25% of their working day completing administrative tasks, such as intake paperwork.
The research notes that a reduction in time spent on administration paperwork could lead to an improvement in the quality of care that patients receive, highlighting how assistance in documentation may help drive better outcomes. Could patient records be simplified through the use of AI?
Take, for example, a patient who is connected to an array of devices – perhaps they’re connected to a heart rate monitor, regularly being checked on by a nurse, who’s documenting key clinical markers for several hours. While this activity would be time-consuming for a nurse, it’s not an infeasible role for an AI assistant – with nearly a dozen such products being tested in hospitals nationwide, it appears that these may emerge as a new assistive tool for nurses.

A New Realm of Patient Care – AI Personalization
While America ages, conditions that affect older Americans, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, will continue to become more prevalent in the community. These conditions often have complex care needs – patients may need to go into assisted living and require specialized assistance to get through the day.
In a world where there may not be enough staff available to support patients, the development of virtual AI assistants could provide a new avenue for care for elderly patients. Assistants such as Viv, an AI companion designed to support dementia patients who may not have companionship in aged care facilities, are being trialed in Australia and could provide an opportunity to provide personalized support for patients, without making the role of a nurse practitioner overbearing.
It’s clear that in the decades ahead, America’s nursing sector will have to transform to meet the needs of an aging population. As subtle as these changes may be to patients, understanding how they will impact nursing staff and administrators will be vital to making the most out of these new and innovative technologies.
Did you find this helpful? Check out our other helpful articles on our website.
Read Also
- Optimizing CT Protocols: The Hidden Key to Efficiency and Cost Savings in RadiologyIntroduction: Why CT Protocol Optimization Matters Computed Tomography (CT) is a cornerstone of modern diagnostic imaging, providing critical information across nearly every medical specialty. However, maximizing the value of CT — both clinically and financially — requires more than just advanced hardware. The real secret lies in the optimization of CT protocols. When CT protocols… Read more: Optimizing CT Protocols: The Hidden Key to Efficiency and Cost Savings in Radiology
- Hospital Discharge Accuracy Improves With Daily Advisor InvolvementThe hospital discharge process has a big effect on patient recovery, hospital efficiency, and finances. It requires careful planning and clear communication between team members to make sure patients get the right care when they leave the hospital. Having physician advisors involved at this stage can improve the discharge process by spotting problems that need… Read more: Hospital Discharge Accuracy Improves With Daily Advisor Involvement
- Understanding Clinical Trials: What to Learn and the RoadblocksClinical trials are research studies conducted to determine the efficacy of medical, surgical or behavioral interventions. They are the most commonly used way that researchers assess whether new treatments, drugs or medical devices are safe and effective for use in humans. There are strict protocols governing these studies, and all of this is done in such a… Read more: Understanding Clinical Trials: What to Learn and the Roadblocks
- The Patient’s Voice: 7 Ways to Improve TelehealthTelehealth has transformed how we access healthcare, making it more convenient and accessible than ever before. However, as this technology evolves, so does the need for improvement. Patient feedback is essential in shaping these telehealth experiences. It offers valuable insights into what works, what doesn’t, and how we can make virtual care even better. Currently,… Read more: The Patient’s Voice: 7 Ways to Improve Telehealth
- How to Overcome Healthcare Claim Denial Challenges and Increase RevenueTable of Content Understanding Major Challenges in Healthcare Claim Denial Management Financial Impact of Healthcare Claim Denials Optimizing the procedure Important Strategies for Managing and Resolving Denials Understanding Major Challenges in Healthcare Claim Denial Management Healthcare Claim Denials have become a major challenge for healthcare providers and administrators. Such denials not only delay payments but… Read more: How to Overcome Healthcare Claim Denial Challenges and Increase Revenue
- The Role of Medical Coders in Revenue Cycle ManagementFor the future existence of any sector, it’s vital that the firm experiences stability in its finances. It’s the revenue that the firm acquires which is fundamental to the process of achieving their objective and goals. Therefore, the management of revenue is to be supervised by experts who, with their expertise, prevent the firm from… Read more: The Role of Medical Coders in Revenue Cycle Management
- Streamlining Operations in Healthcare OrganizationsIn the healthcare sector, efficiency is not just a business objective but a critical component that can significantly affect patient outcomes and satisfaction. Streamlining operations within healthcare organizations is essential to enhance service delivery, reduce costs, and improve the overall quality of care. This approach focuses on optimizing workflows, reducing unnecessary expenditures, and leveraging technology… Read more: Streamlining Operations in Healthcare Organizations
- A Guide to Creating a Caring and Welcoming Space for Your Dental PatientsIf you are running a dental practice, you might be looking to make your patients feel as comfortable as possible, especially since there are many adults who fear the dentist just as much as they did when they were children. To ensure that everyone feels as if your practice is a safe and welcoming space,… Read more: A Guide to Creating a Caring and Welcoming Space for Your Dental Patients