AI adoption among nurses nearly tripled in a single year. Yet almost half of those using AI report little or no time saved. Drawing on a survey of 2,240 U.S. nurses and data from 1.5 million healthcare professionals, the 2026 Annual State of Nursing Report reveals a workforce moving faster than its employers.
Here’s what you’ll uncover:
- Strategy and training determine the AI impact: among nurses with thoughtful AI training from employers, 24% save over an hour a day compared to 16% among those without training. Only 8% of nurses report a clear AI strategy from their employers.
- The AI hiring gap is widening: 39% of nurses use AI in their job search, rising to 60% among nurses under 28. However, only 4% of healthcare employers use AI in hiring.
- Retention risk runs deeper than turnover reports show: 3 in 4 nurses have applied to or seriously considered a new role in the past three years. Only 41% expect to be at the bedside in five years, and only 20% rank pay as the top reason to stay.
Ready to dive deeper and learn more practical insights? Download the full 2026 Annual State of Nursing Report, AI Adoption Trends and Future Implications for Retention.
