AI can help nurses balance workloads, avoid burnout

Editor's Note

In an August 14 interview with HealthLeaders Media, David Benton, PhD, RN, RGN, FRCN, FAAN, CEO of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, says artificial intelligence (AI) has important roles in training nursing students, balancing nurse workloads, and managing patient care, which ultimately helps reduce stress and burnout.

For example, AI is being used for communication support and simulations systems that enable nursing students to have a common experience, but it is tailored to each individual student’s response, and, he says, managers are using AI for scheduling to manipulate large amounts of data in very short periods of time.

Benton also notes that there is no need for nurses to do things that a machine can do more efficiently, effectively, and in a less-stressful manner. For example, he says, cardiac dysrhythmia monitoring systems in intensive care and cardiac care units, emergency departments, and ambulances are already supporting clinicians in helping diagnose and determine care for patients.

He adds that “AI needs to be a partner with nurses in “delivering safe, effective, and efficient healthcare into the future.”