Where AI can help
AI can support documentation, protocol search and organization of patient information.
Health · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Registered Nurses
Assess patients, coordinate care and respond to clinical changes. The occupation combines technical knowledge, presence and responsibility for context.
Observed AI exposureNot measured in this editionAnthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection+5.6%2025–2035
Education typically neededBachelor’s degreeBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Assess signs, symptoms and care needs
- 02
Administer treatments under orders and protocols
- 03
Record progress and communicate changes
- 04
Educate patients and families about care
- 05
Prioritize cases and respond to urgent situations
An example of an output
A delivered and documented care plan with clear communication of clinical changes.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Hospitals, clinics, home care and other health services. Shifts, physical contact and decisions under pressure are common.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$101,420
Median annual pay$97,550
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$68,940
90th percentile$137,470
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 20253,465,400
Projected openings per year180,800
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
In-person assessment, consent, emotional context and clinical decisions require a licensed professional.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Read a public clinical case, write a handoff and highlight which facts you would still need to confirm.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- Bachelor’s degree
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Clinical assessmentcommunicationprioritizationsafe care
Tools you may encounter
Electronic health records · clinical equipment · protocols · medication systems
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$74,970 Mean annual pay
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars ↗
Clinical experience helps explain why health data must be complete, accurate and protected.
- What you can carry over
- Records, quality and care context
- What you would need to learn
- Data governance, classification and information systems
What to consider
This moves toward information work; the destination's education and requirements still apply.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Read a public clinical case, write a handoff and highlight which facts you would still need to confirm.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Registered NursesSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 29-1141.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗