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AI Won’t Replace Me
I feel secure in my role in the nursing world.
Recent popular commentaries discuss how artificial intelligence will soon replace many human jobs. AI has been quietly creeping into our lives for years. It is like a smouldering cancer wrapping itself around the vital organs of humanity. As humans, we must manage and monitor its growth. Similar to medical providers working to fight the cancer growth in the human body.
I have been an Oncology nurse for 25 years. I am confident that AI will not replace me or my role in healthcare.
AI will find a place alongside me as I work and live. Although I am often resistant to change, I feel our lives will be enhanced by embracing new technology and understanding how it impacts us.
How AI will impact my role as an oncology nurse
AI will hasten the process of cancer research and drug development. This provides life-changing treatments in a more timely manner for patients.
I will sit with my patient and start their IV or access their port-a-cath, with a skilled and gentle hand so the infusion may be administered safely.
Technology and AI may be able to monitor a patient’s physiological activity, vital signs via a monitoring system, a smart watch, a glucose monitor, or other devices.
I use my human eyes and ears to look at and listen to the patient, and combined with their vital signs, I determine the amount of distress they are experiencing. Nurses are taught to look at the patient, not just their vital signs.
AI will have a role in the medical charting programs I utilize.
I still document the management of the course of treatment for each patient I care for.
AI programs will assist my workflow in building presentations and educational programs.
I still determine what level of education is needed for my patient audience.
AI will help me gather data on the latest evidence-based nursing practice information by gathering research studies at a greater speed than I can search. I still read the content to determine if it is valuable to a certain individual patient situation.
As a Nurse, I see the specific patient problem to be solved, which requires further research. I utilize AI to develop that study and manage its workflow.
AI may assist in developing a new app that oncology patients can use as a resource for understanding and managing treatment side effects.
I sit with the patient and their family to offer reassurance and alleviate the fear of starting and maintaining that new treatment.
How AI will impact my daily life
The use of AI may suggest improvements to the structure of my writing and find spelling errors I miss.
The ideas for writing and the experiences are mine to share.
I have an image that originated in my mind, AI will help me create and bring that image to life digitally. I lack the creative skill to draw that image myself with a pencil and paper.
The spark of that specific image started in my imagination.
AI may help me find new musical artists that have a similar style to my current favorite musicians.
I will only accept the new music if it garners me with positive emotions and inspiration.
AI will help me navigate the world through the use of apps that help guide me to my destination. AI may even transport me to work someday via a self-driving vehicle.
I choose where I want to roam.
What AI will never replace:
The privilege of having a confident, professional caregiver by your side as you are preparing to battle cancer. These experiences include:
Human touch.
Human eye contact.
Human compassion.
Human wisdom.
Human love.
Humanity’s greatest fear is that AI will attempt to replace it. The rate at which technology is advancing is mind-blowing. I plan to embrace the technology and learn to utilize what I can while maintaining my humanity.
