Registered Nurses
Machines can already do 24% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 45%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Registered Nurses in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 24% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 6% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 45% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 3,379,720 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $97,550 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 90% for contact with people.
- Also called: Certified Operating Room Nurse (CNOR), Charge Nurse, Emergency Department RN (Emergency Department Registered Nurse), Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects | 15% | 3% to 25% | |
| Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records | 12% | 63% to 81% | |
| Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions | 11% | 3% to 25% | |
| Record patients' medical information and vital signs | 10% | 63% to 81% | |
| Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans | 8% | 27% to 46% | |
| Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry | 7% | 3% to 25% | |
| Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity | 4% | 36% to 68% | |
| Instruct individuals, families, or other groups on topics such as health education, disease prevention, or childbirth and develop health improvement programs | 4% | 32% to 55% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills registered nurses use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Emergency Medical Technicians42% of tasks by 2035 · US median $44,470
- Athletic Trainers39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $62,520
- Physical Therapists41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $102,760
- Paramedics39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,600
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Registered Nurses?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of registered nurses?
Machines can do 24% of the tasks of registered nurses today and 45% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-1141.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Registered Nurses: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/registered-nurses/