As artificial intelligence reshapes hospital care, nurses push back against the rise of automated assistants.
- AI nurses like Ana are being deployed to handle time-consuming tasks, offering 24/7 multilingual support, but human nurses argue this undermines their expertise and patient care quality.
- Hospitals claim AI improves efficiency and addresses staffing shortages, but nurses report false alarms, dangerous advice, and a loss of the human touch in care.
- While AI can augment healthcare by streamlining administrative tasks, experts warn it cannot replace the critical thinking, empathy, and intuition of human nurses.
The next time you prepare for a medical appointment, you might receive a call from someone like Ana—a calm, reassuring voice ready to answer your questions and guide you through the process. Ana is available around the clock, speaks multiple languages, and never tires. But Ana isn’t human. She’s an artificial intelligence (AI) program developed by Hippocratic AI, one of many companies racing to automate tasks traditionally performed by nurses and medical assistants.
This shift marks a significant milestone in AI’s integration into healthcare. Hospitals are increasingly adopting sophisticated AI systems to monitor patients, flag emergencies, and even suggest treatment plans—tasks once exclusively handled by nurses. Proponents argue that AI can alleviate burnout and staffing shortages, but nurses and their unions are pushing back, warning that the technology could degrade patient care and override human expertise.
The Rise of AI Nurses
AI’s role in healthcare is expanding rapidly. Programs like Ana are designed to handle routine tasks, such as appointment reminders, patient education, and pre-surgery preparations. These systems promise efficiency, cost savings, and the ability to bridge language barriers.
Hospitals see AI as a solution to chronic understaffing. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the nursing shortage, with over 100,000 nurses leaving the workforce—the largest drop in 40 years. As the U.S. population ages, the demand for nurses is expected to grow, with more than 190,000 new openings annually through 2032. AI, hospital administrators argue, can fill gaps by handling administrative burdens, allowing human nurses to focus on direct patient care.
Nurses Push Back
Despite these benefits, nurses are raising alarms. Michelle Mahon of National Nurses United, the largest nursing union in the U.S., argues that hospitals are using AI to “automate, de-skill, and ultimately replace caregivers.” Nurses fear that AI could erode their professional judgment and compromise patient safety.
Adam Hart, an emergency room nurse in Nevada, experienced this firsthand when his hospital’s AI system flagged a patient for sepsis and recommended immediate treatment. However, Hart recognized that the patient was on dialysis and required a different approach. “Turning over our thought processes to these devices is reckless and dangerous,” he said.
False alarms are another major concern. Melissa Beebe, a cancer nurse in Sacramento, described being bombarded with alerts, many of which were triggered by normal bodily functions. “It’s hard to even tell when it’s accurate and when it’s not,” she said.
The Human Element
AI’s limitations are clear. Even the most advanced systems cannot replicate the intuition, empathy, and observational skills of human nurses. Michelle Collins, dean of Loyola University’s College of Nursing, notes that nurses pick up on subtle cues—facial expressions, odors, and changes in behavior—that AI might miss.
However, Collins acknowledges that AI has its place. “We should embrace what it can do to augment our care, but we should also be careful it doesn’t replace the human element,” she said.
Some hospitals are finding a middle ground. At the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, an AI assistant from Qventus handles routine calls to prepare patients for surgery, freeing up nurses for more complex tasks. The AI identifies itself upfront, ensuring transparency. “We always want to be fully transparent with our patients that sometimes they are talking to a human and sometimes they’re not,” said Dr. Joseph Sanford, who oversees the center’s health IT.
The Future of AI in Healthcare
AI developers are exploring even more advanced applications. Israeli startup Xoltar is working with the Mayo Clinic to create AI avatars that conduct video calls with patients, teaching them techniques to manage chronic pain or quit smoking. These avatars can analyze facial expressions and body language, offering a more personalized experience.
But nursing experts caution that AI may not be suitable for the most vulnerable patients. “It’s the very sick who are taking up the bulk of healthcare in the U.S.,” said Roschelle Fritz of the University of California Davis School of Nursing. “Whether or not chatbots are positioned for those folks is something we really have to consider.”
A Delicate Balance
The debate over AI in healthcare is far from settled. While AI can streamline workflows and address staffing challenges, it cannot replace the critical thinking and compassion of human nurses. As hospitals continue to adopt these technologies, striking a balance between efficiency and empathy will be crucial.
For now, nurses like Adam Hart and Melissa Beebe remain steadfast in their belief that healthcare is fundamentally a human endeavor. “You need to keep your thinking cap on—that’s why you’re being paid as a nurse,” Hart said. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, the human touch may be more valuable than ever.