AI Can’t Replace Nurses—So Stop Calling It One

AI Can't Replace Nurses—So Stop Calling It One

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping healthcare, with hospitals investing millions into AI-powered solutions. Yet, nurses—the backbone of patient care—remain skeptical. Many fear that AI will replace their roles rather than enhance them, and they aren't entirely wrong to be wary. AI solutions are often developed without input from frontline clinicians, resulting in tools that fail to address the real challenges nurses face daily.

In a recent conversation with Dr. Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP—President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the inaugural Associate Dean of Artificial Intelligence at Columbia University School of Nursing—he shed light on the deeper concerns fueling this skepticism.

Why AI Needs Thoughtful Integration, Not a Name

One of the most striking points Dr. Ferrara made was about the importance of how AI is framed within healthcare. He pointed to a recent example of an AI tool that was marketed as a patient-facing "nurse." This, he argued, is exactly the kind of misstep that turns nurses against AI.

"Nurses, we are the most trusted profession. We are human beings. Don't call your product a nurse. I'm sorry." – Dr. Stephen Ferrara

The naming of AI tools as "nurses" suggests that technology is replacing human judgment, empathy, and expertise—qualities that no machine can replicate. When tech companies position AI as a stand-in for nursing professionals rather than as a supportive tool, it erodes trust and alienates the very workforce these solutions should be helping.

Dr. Ferrara pointed out that Oregon has already introduced a bill prohibiting anything from being called a "nurse" unless it refers to a licensed human professional. The nursing community is taking a strong stance, and AI companies should take note: AI is here to support nurses, not replace them.

Learning from the EHR Mistakes

Beyond branding, another key lesson AI developers must learn is the failure of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to truly support nurses. Nurses hoped EHRs would streamline documentation and reduce administrative burdens. Instead, they became clunky, non-intuitive billing platforms, adding to nurses' workloads rather than easing them.

"We collectively, as healthcare clinicians, have been burned by electronic medical records before... You're still clicking a thousand times." – Dr. Stephen Ferrara

The concern with AI is that it will follow the same trajectory—designed with hospital administrators and billing in mind, rather than improving the day-to-day lives of frontline nurses. If AI is to be embraced, it must be designed with nurses at the table from day one—not as an afterthought.

A Hopeful Future: AI as a True Nursing Ally

Despite these concerns, Dr. Ferrara remains hopeful about AI's role in nursing—if developed thoughtfully and collaboratively. He envisions a future where AI functions as an assistant that enhances nursing care rather than a burdensome tool or a replacement.

"I hope that we're in a spot where we have technology at our availability that we can get answers on the fly and spend less time behind the computer screen and more time in front of patients." – Dr. Stephen Ferrara

For AI to truly benefit nurses, it must be co-designed with nurses, respect their professional identity, and prioritize the realities of bedside care. It should reduce administrative burdens, improve patient safety, and enhance efficiency—without diminishing the human touch that defines nursing.

At the core of Dr. Ferrara's vision is collaboration. The integration of AI in nursing shouldn't be dictated solely by engineers or hospital executives—it must be a partnership between nurses, technologists, and policymakers.

As AI continues to evolve, we must ensure that it empowers rather than alienates nurses. AI is not a nurse. It never will be. But if done right, it can be the most powerful nursing assistant the profession has ever seen.

Join the Conversation

The future of AI in nursing is being shaped now. Nurses, educators, hospital leaders, and AI developers must come together to ensure that AI serves as a tool for empowerment, not displacement. Let's build AI that nurses trust—because when nurses thrive, so do patients.