Will AI replace Nursing Assistants? How the job is changing

How AI is changing nursing assistants work

3 of 26 main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use so far) — 12% when main tasks are weighted. This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.

Tasks in this job and recorded AI use

Provide information (main task) — some recorded AI use
Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities (main task) — some recorded AI use
Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses (main task) — some recorded AI use
Turn or reposition bedridden patients (main task) — no recorded AI use
Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs (main task) — no recorded AI use
Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink (main task) — no recorded AI use
Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff (main task) — no recorded AI use
Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities (main task) — no recorded AI use
Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements (main task) — no recorded AI use
Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to make sure patient receives appropriate diet (main task) — no recorded AI use
Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves (main task) — no recorded AI use
Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention (main task) — no recorded AI use
Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers (main task) — no recorded AI use
Supply, collect, or empty bedpans (main task) — no recorded AI use
Communicate with patients to find out feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support (main task) — no recorded AI use
Record vital signs (main task) — no recorded AI use
Wash, groom, shave, or drape patients to prepare them for surgery, treatment, or examination (main task) — no recorded AI use
Prepare or serve food trays (main task) — no recorded AI use
Change bed linens or make beds (main task) — no recorded AI use
Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed, or have restricted mobility (main task) — no recorded AI use
Restock patient rooms with personal hygiene items (main task) — no recorded AI use
Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas (main task) — no recorded AI use
Assist nurses or physicians in the operation of medical equipment or provision of patient care (main task) — no recorded AI use
Record height or weight of patients (main task) — no recorded AI use
Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds (main task) — no recorded AI use
Collect specimens (main task) — no recorded AI use
Explain medical instructions to patients or family members — some recorded AI use
Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation — no recorded AI use
Set up treating or testing equipment — no recorded AI use
Administer medications or treatments — no recorded AI use
Apply clean dressings, slings, stockings, or support bandages, under direction of nurse or physician — no recorded AI use
Stock or issue medical supplies — no recorded AI use
Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized staff — no recorded AI use

Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).

Your first steps (guidance)

Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Provide information”. Try the prompt for: “Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities”.
Weeks 3–4: Make it a habit. Use AI 3 times a week for 15 minutes. Always check facts, numbers and names yourself.

Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.

Questions about AI and nursing assistants

Will AI replace nursing assistants?

Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 3 of the 26 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use so far). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 29 of the 33 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.

Which nursing tasks is AI used for most?

In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: explain medical instructions to patients or family members; provide information; gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities.

Which nursing tasks show little or no AI use?

For example: turn or reposition bedridden patients; answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs; feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink. These are good places to keep building your own skills.

How does this job compare to others?

In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 5% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.

How can a nursing start learning AI?

Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.

Nursing Assistants

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