Nearly half of U.S. nurses say they already use generative AI at work, and many believe it could help ease burnout and staffing shortages. But a new national report suggests that healthcare organizations are moving more slowly on policies, training, and governance—creating a growing gap between adoption and oversight.

That’s the central tension highlighted in a new report from Wolters Kluwer Health, Nursing insights: Redefining nursing practice for an AI-driven future, part of its Future Ready Healthcare initiative, which examines how emerging technologies are reshaping nursing practice.

Nearly half of U.S. nurses (46%) report using generative AI at work, yet only 22% say their organizations have formal policies in place—signaling a widening gap between rapid adoption and institutional readiness, according to a new Wolters Kluwer report.

Nurses Are Already Using AI and Seeing Its Potential

The report, Nursing insights: Redefining nursing practice for an AI-driven future, finds that despite persistent challenges like staffing shortages and burnout, nurses remain optimistic about how generative AI (GenAI) could support their work.

Key findings include:

• 58% of nurses say they use GenAI in their personal lives

• 46% report using GenAI in the workplace

• 45% believe GenAI could help reduce burnout by automating documentation, triaging routine patient questions, and streamlining workflows

• 62% say AI-enabled onboarding and training help new nurses and transfers become productive faster

These insights suggest that, for many nurses, AI is no longer theoretical—it’s already part of daily life, both in and out of the clinical setting.

“Nurses are leading the way in embracing AI’s potential, recognizing both the urgent need and the unique opportunity technology brings to healthcare,” said Julie Stegman, Vice President, Wolters Kluwer Health Learning & Practice. “Hospitals and health systems must work with their nursing teams to implement AI thoughtfully. This can be done by supporting collaboration and investing in digital skills that will set the pace for sustainable change, which will ensure clinical judgment and patient trust remain at the heart of nursing.”

A Policy and Training Gap Raises Concerns

While enthusiasm is high, the report also underscores growing unease about how quickly AI is entering healthcare settings without consistent safeguards.

Among the most concerning findings:

• Only 22% of nurses say their organizations have published policies governing GenAI use

• Just 22% report that formal training is required before AI tools are deployed in nursing workflows

• 53% worry GenAI could undermine clinical decision-making or lead to overreliance on algorithms

For an evidence-based profession grounded in clinical judgment, this mismatch between rapid adoption and limited oversight is raising red flags—particularly as consumer-grade AI tools continue to evolve faster than healthcare regulation.

What the Future Holds for AI-Enabled Nursing Practice

Despite these concerns, most nurses see AI as integral to healthcare’s future:

• 77% say GenAI will be important to their organization’s long-term productivity

• 80% of organizations plan to use digital strategies for professional development to prepare nurses for AI-enabled practice

• 28% say GenAI-enhanced onboarding already helps new staff feel more confident and effective

• 54% believe GenAI can enhance innovation, and another 54% say it can improve collaboration and communication

The findings point to a clear opportunity—and responsibility—for healthcare leaders: align technology adoption with education, policy, and nurse-led implementation to ensure AI strengthens, rather than complicates, patient care.