A Registered Nurse carries a 13/100 AI replacement risk (low). AI can already handle charting & documentation; Hands-on patient care still needs a person. Of exposed work, ~47% is automation vs 53% augmentation. Capability clock: ~7.1 years (2033). (ReplacedYet AI-Risk Index, 2026 data.)

Will AI replace a Registered Nurse?

AI replacement risk: 13/100 (low risk). Low exposure — this work resists automation and is hard for AI to replace.

Timeline: 5+ years / low. Of the exposed work, roughly 47% is likely to be automated and 53% augmented. $36.9B/yr of US wages sit in highly-exposed work for this role.

AI/software exposure: 26%. Robot/physical-automation exposure: 0%.

Capability clock: AI's measured task horizon reaches this role's core complexity (~5888484.8h of human work) ~7.1 years (2033) — projected from METR's ~4.3-month doubling.

Pressure Index: 9/100 (low) — blends risk, demand trend, and real-world evidence. Job postings up 16% vs 2020.

AI tools targeting this role

• Abridge — ambient documentation of clinical conversations
• Nuance DAX — AI scribing to reduce charting workload

Layoff signal: none — AI handles documentation and scheduling, but hands-on nursing demand remains strong and is projected to grow.

Then vs. now: the 2013 Oxford study scored this 1%; our 2026 index scores it 13% (a rise of 12 points).

Tasks at risk

• Charting & documentation — Ambient AI scribes draft notes.
• Triage support — AI assists symptom assessment.
• Scheduling & admin — Automated coordination.

Tasks that still need a human

• Hands-on patient care — Physical care can’t be automated.
• Emotional support — Human presence is the value.

Skills that protect you

• Specialized clinical care — High-acuity skills.
• Care coordination — Complex human judgment.
• Health informatics — Bridge care and technology.

Related jobs

Dentist (13%) · Nurse Practitioner (13%) · Physician Assistant (13%) · Occupational Therapist (13%)

Category: Healthcare · Methodology · Download the dataset

ReplacedYet AI-Risk Index. Last updated 2026-06-26. AI-estimated and directionally useful, not a guarantee.