Will AI replace Nursing Assistants?
AI can do 19% of the work Nursing Assistants do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 7 of them. Robots can technically handle 8 physical tasks. 18 still need a person.
AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.
AI could do this next7 · 19% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff.6% of time
- Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support.4% of time
- Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.4% of time
- Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.1% of time
- Record height or weight of patients.1% of time
- Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet.1% of time
- Provide information, such as directions, visiting hours, or patient status information to visitors or callers.1% of time
Robots can technically do this8 · 15% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Turn or reposition bedridden patients.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
- Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
- Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Restock patient rooms with personal hygiene items, such as towels, washcloths, soap, or toilet paper.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed, or have restricted mobility.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time
Still needs a person18 · 65% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.17% of time
- Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves.10% of time
- Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.8% of time
- Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.7% of time
- Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.4% of time
- Change bed linens or make beds.3% of time
- Prepare or serve food trays.3% of time
- Administer medications or treatments, such as catheterizations, suppositories, irrigations, enemas, massages, or douches, as directed by a physician or nurse.1% of time
- Apply clean dressings, slings, stockings, or support bandages, under direction of nurse or physician.1% of time
- Assist nurses or physicians in the operation of medical equipment or provision of patient care.1% of time
- Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum.1% of time
- Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities.1% of time
- Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements.1% of time
- Set up treating or testing equipment, such as oxygen tents, portable radiograph (x-ray) equipment, or overhead irrigation bottles, as directed by a physician or nurse.1% of time
- Supply, collect, or empty bedpans.1% of time
- Wash, groom, shave, or drape patients to prepare them for surgery, treatment, or examination.1% of time
- Explain medical instructions to patients or family members.1% of time
- Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.under 1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships.
What to do next
- Get ahead on the 7 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 8 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 18 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Related jobs
Get the weekly brief
One short email a week on how AI is changing work, including jobs like this one.