The future of nursing will prominently feature advanced healthcare technologies, including AI integration and robotics. Other trends in nursing include a shift toward community-based healthcare that promotes preventive wellness. There are also expanding roles for nurse informaticists and nurse practitioners, as well as increasing leadership opportunities.
As a future nurse, staying engaged in continual learning and professional development is essential. The future of nursing will be influenced by rapid advances in technology, evolving research and new techniques that open fresh possibilities for patient care and safety. By keeping pace with trends in nursing and emerging specialties, you can better serve your patients and thrive in an ever-changing healthcare landscape.
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the foundation for a lifelong nursing career. At Averett University, our students learn to adapt to rapid changes in the field by developing a flexible, growth mindset. Averett’s Accelerated BSN program features a robust curriculum that explores contemporary healthcare issues and professional nursing ethics to prepare you for a dynamic profession.
As you pursue your goal of becoming a nurse, explore how nursing practice is evolving, how roles are expanding and what you can do today to prepare for the future of nursing.
Forces Reshaping the Nursing Profession
Nursing is a dynamic field continually reshaped by technology, demographics and other external forces. New and improved healthcare technologies give nurses more tools to deliver effective care, communicate with their team and protect patient safety.
Patient demographics are also changing. An aging population means more chronic conditions that require close monitoring and patient education. As a result, demand for nurses in home healthcare, long-term care and adult-gerontology is rising.
- Pandemics: The COVID‑19 pandemic underscored the importance of supporting nurses’ mental health and accelerated telehealth adoption.
- Legislation: Many states are expanding nursing practice authority, granting some nurses a broader scope of care.
- Retention: The nursing shortage is prompting employers to focus on workforce retention by creating supportive environments and offering competitive salaries and better benefits.
- Education: Employers increasingly expect nurses to hold at least a BSN. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 72% of healthcare employers strongly prefer nurses to earn a BSN, and nearly 28% require it.
No matter how much the nursing field changes, its core values will remain the same.
Emerging Directions and Trends in Nursing Practice
The nursing field offers a variety of nursing specialties, and as technologies evolve, new specialties will continue to emerge. Recent additions include nursing informatics, a specialty focused on capturing, managing and using patient data to improve care quality, safety and efficiency.
Telehealth is one of several specialties that expanded rapidly during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Other growing or emerging areas include home health nursing, mobile nursing and infection control nursing. Personalized healthcare and precision medicine, often incorporating patients’ genetic information, are also shaping trends in nursing.
Across specialties, there is a shift toward community‑based, preventive care that promotes wellness and enables early detection of health issues.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, community health workers are projected to grow by 11% between 2024 and 2034, faster than the registered nurse employment growth of 5%; however, it’s important to note that both fields are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.
The Expanding Scope and Influence of Nursing Roles
In response to a primary care shortage, many states have expanded the scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), particularly nurse practitioners (NPs). NPs increasingly serve as independent primary care providers and even operate their own clinics.
Experienced nurses are also stepping into administrative and leadership roles such as nurse manager, nurse administrator and chief nursing officer (CNO). These positions allow nurses to influence policy and promote quality care across their organizations.
Technology and Innovation in Modern Nursing Care
Technology is transforming nursing practice. Innovations include:
- AI integration that helps nurses monitor patient data and detect health issues sooner
- Smart devices, such as sensor‑equipped beds that alert staff when patients at risk of falling attempt to stand
- Smart IV pumps that automate dosing and reduce medication errors
- Remote monitoring devices that transmit patient data to nurses in real time
- Robots that retrieve and deliver medical supplies throughout a facility
Explore how technology in nursing is shaping patient care.
Workforce Sustainability, Education and Policy Considerations
The nursing profession faces a long‑standing shortage that is likely to persist as many nurses retire and the population ages, increasing the demand for nurses and healthcare. Rather than lowering educational requirements, the field is emphasizing higher qualifications.
Many employers now prefer or require a BSN over an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). New York has even adopted the BSN in 10 legislation, requiring nurses who hold a diploma or ADN to earn a BSN within ten years of entering practice.
To help meet the demand for highly educated nurses, accelerated BSN programs offer prospective nurses a fast track to earning a degree, enabling them to enter the workforce sooner. Accelerated BSN programs, such as Averett’s ABSN, leverage students’ non-nursing bachelor’s degrees or college credits and apply the experience to a nursing degree.
Students receive the same quality education as a traditional BSN program; however, because of their academic history, they can graduate much faster. At Averett, ABSN students can graduate in as few as 16 months.
Preparing the Nursing Profession for the Decade Ahead
Averett University is committed to preparing nursing students to meet workforce needs with an adaptable, innovation‑oriented mindset. Our values‑based curriculum and emphasis on professional ethics ensure our graduates can navigate complex situations, from AI integration to evolving regulations.
State‑of‑the‑art nursing labs allow students to practice with advanced healthcare technology. Whatever the future of the nursing profession holds, Averett’s ABSN program will equip you to thrive.
Get Started in Nursing With Averett University
Averett University invites you to pursue a future in nursing through our accelerated BSN program. You’ll gain a values‑based foundation while honing your skills in our high‑tech labs. Small class sizes, attentive instructors and dedicated Academic Success Coaches ensure you’ll receive the support you need. With no waitlist and three start dates each year, you can begin your journey soon.
Contact an admissions advisor today to discuss eligibility requirements and explore our ABSN program.