Just confirming - zero stars means you think AI will completely replace this job. Are you sure?
Care/Teach
Nurse: The threat might not be AI. It might be the solution
By LastJobStandingDecember 5, 2025
Resistance Rating: 4.5/5
According to the World Economic Forum, nursing professionals remain one of the fastest-growing job segments for the 2025-2030 period(1). However, the growth in demand doesn't tell the whole story.
An Increase, But Still a Shortage
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights that nursing professionals are projected to see significant growth in demand driven by aging and declining working-age populations(1).
Despite the global nursing workforce growing to 29.8 million in 2023, with projections to reach 36 million by 2030(2), demand is outpacing supply. The global nursing shortage in 2023 was 5.8 million and projected to decline to 4.1 million by 2030(2). The shortage is declining, but it's still massive.
The Helper's Helper
Some observers argue that generative AI could empower employees such as nurses to perform a greater range of "expert" tasks, thereby expanding the possible functions of their roles(1). If true, this will make the role of the nurse even more crucial as AI becomes more prevalent.
A global study found that 72% of national nursing associations reported stagnant wages and 64% reported healthcare systems struggling to provide safe patient care due to staffing shortages(3). These are two of the factors that have led to widespread burnout and high attrition rates(3). So the real threat here isn't AI taking the jobs, it's humans leaving them.
Using AI can reduce the administrative burden on nurses and allow them to focus on delivering high-quality care, which might result in a higher retention rate(3).
THE PC Model™ Resistance Rating
Strict licensure and strong unions provide a huge protective barrier. You cannot simply claim to be a nurse without years of certified training.
There are few occupations that deserve one full star more than this.
Nurses make critical decisions about patient care and advocate for patient rights. Full score.
You cannot insert an IV, perform wound care, or physically rehabilitate a patient remotely or digitally. However, you can work as a telehealth nurse who provides healthcare to patients remotely using technology like video conferencing and mobile apps. So yes, you can work as a nurse remotely, but all the tasks can never be entirely done remotely. One full star.
While nursing follows strict guidelines, it sometimes requires adapting to unexpected situations or resource limitations where improvisation is key. Half a star.
Total Resistance Rating
4.5 / 5
According to our rating, nursing is one of the most future-proof professions. The combination of strict licensing, physical presence requirements, human connection needs, and ethical judgment creates powerful barriers to automation. The demand is still outpacing supply, with projected shortages continuing well into 2030.
Nursing may be future-proof, but it's not burnout-proof. However, help has arrived to alleviate some of the factors that contribute to burnout. Hence, nursing might be a rare anomaly: AI helping people to remain in an occupation.
