The nursing profession is embracing new technologies and strategies to tackle entrenched challenges, as highlighted in the latest insights from the February 2025 issue of American Nurse Journal.
In a preview of their upcoming release, Cherie Mee, MSN, MBA, RN, FAAN, outlines three critical areas shaping the future of nursing: artificial intelligence (AI) in reducing documentation workload, coaching for new graduate nurses, and key findings from the 2024 Nursing Trends and Salary Survey.
These developments arrive amid shifting regulatory landscapes and ongoing workforce pressures, underscoring a dynamic year ahead for healthcare professionals.
Reducing Documentation Burden with AI
Documentation remains a persistent pain point for nurses, consuming up to 30% of their workday.
The journal explores how AI tools, such as automated clinical note generation and predictive analytics, could streamline patient records and free nurses to focus more on hands-on care.
For example, platforms that integrate natural language processing might convert nurse-patient interactions into standardized clinical notes, reducing errors and redundancy.
However, this innovation comes with cautions: the skilled nursing sector is advocating for stricter “guardrails” on AI use to ensure transparency and ethical deployment.
Supporting New Graduate Nurses
Nursing education is also evolving.
The February issue includes a continuing education article on coaching strategies for new graduate nurses (NGNs), emphasizing cognitive processes behind clinical judgment.
With nurse turnover rates at 22.1%, effective onboarding is critical.
Techniques such as “coaching questions” — designed to prompt critical thinking rather than dictate answers — are gaining traction.
For instance, asking an NGN, “How would you modify the antiviral dosing for a patient with compromised renal function?” encourages real-time problem-solving.
Salary Survey and Staffing Insights
The 2024 Nursing Trends and Salary Survey reveals mixed signals.
While 75% of surveyed nurses report they would choose nursing again, voluntary turnover remains high at 15% for hospitals.
The same survey identifies workplace violence (43% of respondents reporting incidents) and emotional health (only 35% describing themselves as “thriving”) as persistent issues.
Meanwhile, federal staffing mandates for nursing homes — which required minimum ratios of nurses to residents — face potential rollback under the new administration, signaling a potential shift in regulatory expectations.
Addressing Rural Challenges
Broader industry trends, such as rural facility closures, loom large.
Over 774 skilled nursing facilities closed between February 2020 and July 2024, with rural counties disproportionately affected.
These closures strain rural healthcare systems, leaving nurses in these areas to manage higher patient loads and reduced support teams.
Current policy debates focus on reinvestment in workforce training programs and telehealth infrastructure to mitigate these gaps.
A Call to Action
The converging traits of 2025 — AI integration, workforce resilience, and regulatory flux — suggest that innovation must coexist with equity.
Nurses can advocate for policies like the REHIRE Act, which targets rural healthcare recruitment, while embracing AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, their expertise.
The February American Nurse Journal issue offers a roadmap for navigating this rapidly changing landscape, available here.
For contextual perspective on broader healthcare challenges, explore recent coverage of skilled nursing trends and workplace wellness best practices.
By integrating clinical innovation, targeted mentoring, and advocacy for sustainable systems, the nursing profession is positioning itself not just to survive but to thrive in a volatile healthcare environment.
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