Nursing Assistant

O*NET: Nursing Assistants·31-1131.00

The Verdict:Hands-on personal care defines this role — repositioning patients, assisting with mobility, collecting specimens — all requiring physical touch and adaptation. No robot handles variable bedside needs. AI aids documentation and monitoring amid rising demand from aging populations.

Resilience Score

/100

Highly Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$40k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+2.3%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 0 of 33 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
19 of 33 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 42% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

0exposed

14AI leverage

19human-essential

View all 33 tasks

AI Can Handle This0 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

No exposed tasks identified

AI Leverage14 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.

Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.

Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.

Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements.

Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet.

Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff.

Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities.

Record height or weight of patients.

Provide information, such as directions, visiting hours, or patient status information to visitors or callers.

Set up treating or testing equipment, such as oxygen tents, portable radiograph (x-ray) equipment, or overhead irrigation bottles, as directed by a physician or nurse.

Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays.

Explain medical instructions to patients or family members.

Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel.

Assist nurses or physicians in the operation of medical equipment or provision of patient care.

Human Advantage19 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Turn or reposition bedridden patients.

Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.

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.

Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves.

Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine.

Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.

Supply, collect, or empty bedpans.

Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support.

Wash, groom, shave, or drape patients to prepare them for surgery, treatment, or examination.

Prepare or serve food trays.

Change bed linens or make beds.

Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed, or have restricted mobility.

Restock patient rooms with personal hygiene items, such as towels, washcloths, soap, or toilet paper.

Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.

Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.

Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum.

Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.

Administer medications or treatments, such as catheterizations, suppositories, irrigations, enemas, massages, or douches, as directed by a physician or nurse.

Apply clean dressings, slings, stockings, or support bandages, under direction of nurse or physician.

Resilience Landscape

Nursing Assistant lands in Stable, Lower Pay

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Task Analysis

Resilience Landscape

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