​

I started my nursing career right before EMR’s rolled out. We were still paper charting in charts. (when you could actually find them lol). I remember all the hype about how it would increase the amount of time spent with our patients and make charting faster and easier. “It will be so much more convenient and efficient” they said. NOT.

While it definitely has many pro’s and needed to happen, the big con is that It dramatically increased charting times and took time AWAY from patient care. My point is that there are often unintended consequences to any major change.

I'll be honest; with all the AI talk I had a really hard time defining what it really is. I mean, I love ChatGPT to help me find the right words at times, but I wasn't really sure about the whole picture. So I spent alot of time recently diving into it, and how it could impact nurses. This is a simplified explanation to give you something to think about.

WHAT IS AI?? It is comprised of 3 areas:

MACHINE LEARNING- Machine learning is a part of artificial intelligence (AI) that helps computers learn from data without needing specific instructions. It lets computers find patterns and make predictions based on the information they get, kind of like how humans learn from experience. It uses special methods to look at lots of data and get better at tasks over time. *Examples include recognizing pictures and speech, and finding fraud.

​

NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESS- Natural Language Processing (NLP) in AI is a field that allows computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language, essentially enabling machines to “read” and “respond” to text or speech in a way similar to humans, utilizing techniques from both linguistics and computer science to analyze and process complex language structures. *An example would be a virtual assistant or chatbot, and language translation tools.

​

COMPUTER VISION- Computer vision, within the field of artificial intelligence (AI), is a technology that allows computers to interpret and analyze visual data from images and videos, essentially enabling machines to “see” and understand the world around them, similar to how humans do, by identifying and classifying objects within those visual inputs; it uses machine learning algorithms to process this data and make informed decisions based on what it “sees.”. *Examples would be facial recognition, self-driving cars, medical image analysis, quality control in manufacturing, & security surveillance.

In a SUPER simplified description, all together it would allow a program to gather data (that was written AND seen visually), process it, and verbally respond.

👉Here is an article from the National Library of Medicine titled "The Impact and Issues of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Science and Healthcare Settings"​

The fear of AI taking over our jobs is felt in multiple professions, not just nursing. It is a legitimate concern for sure. Especially in positions such as Telehealth, education, and other positions that are based on INFORMATION.

(RFK) Kennedy told the Senate Committee on Finance that the Cleveland Clinic “has developed an AI nurse that you cannot distinguish from a human being that has diagnosed as good as any doctor”.

(Note: the Cleveland clinic has denied this and says while they do utilize AI in various areas, they have not created an AI nurse).

While his statement may be false, it does indicate that he would be willing to replace nurses with AI in some capacity. So I think it's a legitimate concern for all nurses, but especially newer nurses who are in the early stages.

There are many ways in which AI can be beneficial not only to the healthcare team, but to the patient as well.

1. Patient Monitoring: AI can track a patient’s vital signs and alert nurses to any changes that might need attention, helping them respond quickly and prevent emergencies.
2. Predicting Health Risks: AI can analyze patient data to predict potential health issues, like heart problems or infections, allowing nurses to act sooner and reduce risks.
3. Automating Routine Tasks: AI tools can automate administrative tasks, like scheduling or managing patient records, giving nurses more time to focus on patient care.
4. Assisting with Diagnostics: AI can help in diagnosing conditions by analyzing medical images (like X-rays or MRIs) faster and with high accuracy, aiding nurses and doctors in making quicker decisions.
5. Personalized Care: AI can analyze a patient’s health history to suggest personalized treatment plans, improving the quality of care and outcomes for patients.
6. Robotic Assistance: AI-powered robots can assist with tasks like delivering supplies or even helping with patient mobility, reducing physical strain on nurses.

While there is no way to predict the future, common sense tells me that some new Nursing jobs will be added due to AI (especially tech jobs), and some will be lost. UNTIL then, it's never too late to start thinking about your future.

🩺 If you are in your last 5 years of nursing, it probably won't affect you too much. But if you are just getting started, it could definitely impact your career choices. Luckily there are so many options available for nurses these days. Finding a job you love, that fits with your lifestyle, your values, and your passions is the key to a long happy nursing career. 😊

👉Be sure to check out my career resources below!

​

💖 Best wishes, Deanna

​

🔥Career Resources 🔥

✅ "Opportunities in Nursing"- Over 80 nursing options, Nurse Entrepreneur ideas, Websites & Apps to help you find a job you love!

✅ "Discovering Your Purpose Driven Career"- 4 week online career course. Designed for nurses wanting a change, to start their own business, or those considering entering the nursing field.

✅ Go to my website at CoachingPRN.com for more info.

✅ Schedule a free call here to see if 1:1 coaching is for you.

👉 Follow me on Instagram @nursecoach_deanna for more health & career tips!