Nursing Assistants: daily tasks & AI impact
This page breaks Nursing Assistants into the top 15 daily O*NET tasks and scores each for Generative AI automation probability. Those task scores roll up to an overall vulnerability index of 22/100 (Moderate automation risk). Struck-through rows are ≥80% automatable; highlighted safer rows are under 30% or primarily physical.
High-automation exposure
No task in this set currently exceeds the 80% threshold, so risk is spread across moderate probabilities rather than a few catastrophic duties.
Durable human work
This profile has little “safe” task mass under our thresholds. Workers should treat AI fluency as mandatory and actively map transferable skills into lower-risk roles.
Importance comes from O*NET incumbent ratings. Automation probability is model-generated for current Generative AI capability (not speculative AGI). Digital / physical / mixed labels describe the modality of the work, which strongly correlates with near-term automation potential.
| Task | Importance | AI probability | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn or reposition bedridden patients. Core | 4.76 | — | — |
| Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs. Core | 4.69 | — | — |
| Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink. Core | 4.64 | — | — |
| Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff. Core | 4.58 | — | — |
| Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising. Core | 4.52 | — | — |
| Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses. Core | 4.52 | — | — |
| Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements. Core | 4.46 | — | — |
| Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet. Core | 4.45 | — | — |
| Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves. Core | 4.43 | — | — |
| Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine. Core | 4.42 | — | — |
| Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers. Core | 4.41 | — | — |
| Supply, collect, or empty bedpans. Core | 4.41 | — | — |
| Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support. Core | 4.39 | — | — |
| Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff. Core | 4.38 | — | — |
| Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities. Core | 4.37 | — | — |
What remains human
No tasks currently fall under the safe threshold for this occupation.
FAQ
Which Nursing Assistants tasks are most exposed to AI?
No task in this set currently exceeds the 80% threshold, so risk is spread across moderate probabilities rather than a few catastrophic duties.
Which Nursing Assistants tasks are safest from Generative AI?
This profile has little “safe” task mass under our thresholds. Workers should treat AI fluency as mandatory and actively map transferable skills into lower-risk roles.
How should I read the Nursing Assistants task table?
Importance comes from O*NET incumbent ratings. Automation probability is model-generated for current Generative AI capability (not speculative AGI). Digital / physical / mixed labels describe the modality of the work, which strongly correlates with near-term automation potential.