Artificial Intelligence and Nursing Practice: Benefits, Applications, Challenges, and Evidence from Research

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare by supporting clinical decision-making, patient monitoring, documentation, education, and healthcare management. Nursing is one of the healthcare professions that may benefit substantially from the appropriate integration of AI because nurses manage large amounts of patient information and make continuous clinical decisions. AI-based technologies can assist nurses in identifying patient deterioration, predicting clinical risks, improving documentation, reducing administrative workload, and supporting personalized patient care. Recent systematic reviews have reported improvements in nursing decision-making, patient safety, workflow efficiency, and selected patient outcomes following the use of AI technologies. For example, a systematic review of AI technologies supporting nurses' clinical decision-making found improvements in decision-making, patient care, staff performance, documentation, pressure-ulcer prevention, and other clinical outcomes. However, AI also creates challenges involving data privacy, algorithmic bias, transparency, professional accountability, ethical practice, and the need for nurses to develop digital and AI literacy. Therefore, AI should be viewed as a tool that supports not replaces professional nursing judgment. Effective implementation requires appropriate education, human oversight, ethical governance, and ongoing research. This paper discusses the major applications and benefits of AI in nursing practice and reviews current evidence regarding its impact on nurses and patients.