Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. in collaboration with the Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, released its latest research findings in the fourth annual installation of the Future of Nursing survey: "Embracing Technology While Preserving Humanity." Drawing insights from over 1,100 nursing professionals and students, the study illuminates the intricate interplay between cutting-edge healthcare technologies and the enduring essence of compassionate care. Survey results reveal a nuanced perspective among nurses toward the integration of AI, with over half expressing reservations and 38% questioning its potential benefits for the nursing field. While a minority recognize AI's capacity to enhance efficiency, documentation, research, skill development, and patient monitoring, concernslinger regarding its perceived lack of empathy, job displacement risks, data security, regulatory complexities, and the learning curve associated with new technology.

In addition to shedding light on nurses' mental well-being, with notable concerns about staffing shortages and burnout, the study uncovered several key insights: Despite the potential of telehealth services, 74% of nurses have never utilized them, citing doubt about their efficacy in delivering comprehensive patient care. A significant portion of both employed (29%) and student nurses (41%) contemplate retirement or transitioning out of the profession in the near future. Cross Country recommends four strategies for healthcare organizations to empower nurses in adopting AI: Transparency: Ensure nurses understand AI's impact and benefits to their roles through transparent communication from leadership, building trust and reducing anxiety as well as case studies to show how the technology works to move the profession forward.

Training: Implement comprehensive training programs customized for nurses, demystifying AI and enhancing proficiency in AI-powered tools to foster confidence. Communication: Customize communication strategies to resonate with different nurse personas, addressing their unique concerns and preferences to promote AI acceptance. Feedback: Solicit and integrate nurses' feedback into AI solutions, tailoring them to address specific challenges and improve the nursing experience.

In 2021, FAU's College of Nursing and College of Engineering and Computer Science launched two new combined programs in nursing and artificial intelligence and biomedical engineering. The innovative combined degree programs provide FAU bachelor's in nursing (BSN) graduates with a leading edge in AI, which includes algorithms, pattern matching, deep learning and cognitive computing to learn how to understand complex data. AI can be applied to almost every field of healthcare, including drug development, treatment decisions and patient care.

Graduates of this new program will be able utilize knowledge to tackle complex problems that would otherwise be difficult or very time-intensive to address without AI. FAU BSN graduates who continue on the master's in science (MS) in the biomedical engineering program will use engineering principles to define and solve problems in biology, medicine, healthcare and other fields.