Top 9 Nursing Trends to Watch in 2025
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Published on: 03/24/2025
Last Updated: 03/24/2025
8 minute read
Healthcare is ever-evolving鈥攕o it makes sense that nursing trends are always changing. Whether you are already a nurse, working on completing your nursing degree, or considering applying to nursing school, brushing up on hot-button issues and trends in the nursing field is critical.
Why? Because nurses have a responsibility to respond to new developments and challenges in the healthcare system and grow with them. Nursing is, after all, a science鈥攁nd science is always changing in the face of new information.
This guide is here to help you do just that. Below, we will break down eight current nursing trends taking the healthcare field by storm in 2025. Whether you are preparing for the NCLEX or heading into your tenth year as a nurse, you are likely to encounter these concepts in the field.
1. Rise of Telehealth and Virtual Nursing
If you are currently enrolled in (or recently completed) a bachelor of science in nursing program, you have likely already discussed the rise of telehealth and virtual care during your training.
Telehealth has vastly benefited the nursing field by:1
- Expanding patients鈥 access to quality, affordable care
- Enhancing nurses鈥 capacities to follow up during treatment or after discharge
- Increasing collaboration potential across patients鈥 teams of providers
Given these benefits, the demand for telehealth-trained nurses is only growing. This is especially true in disciplines like:
- Home health
- Family medicine
- Urgent care
- Mental health
2. Artificial Intelligence and Technology Integration in Nursing
While telehealth is no longer a 鈥渘ovel鈥 technology鈥攊t has been widely implemented since 2020鈥攏ursing is still contending with first-of-its-kind tech. More specifically, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking the nursing field by storm.
AI has changed common nursing tasks, especially those related to:
- Patient diagnostics and assessments
- Processing electronic health records (EHRs)
- Clinical decision-making and care recommendations
With the rise of AI, the role of the nurse has evolved. Today鈥檚 nurses must be able to interpret data, balance AI with human interventions, and generally navigate the technological landscape in medicine.
If you are currently in nursing school, you will likely develop these skills during hands-on clinical experiences; in these settings, you will have a chance to see, use, and troubleshoot today鈥檚 nursing technologies.
If you are an existing nurse looking to keep your clinical skills sharp, consider investing in professional development related to technology-supported patient care.
3. Focus on Mental Health and Well-being in Nursing
Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of nurses鈥 mental health and well-being has only increased. Many healthcare systems and private practice employers have taken steps to prevent:
- Burnout 鈥 Burnout can look like extreme exhaustion (mental or physical), emotional detachment from work, cynicism, or reduced clinical efficacy鈥攁ll of these can have major impacts on patient outcomes.2
- Chronic stress 鈥 Nursing shortages, rising healthcare costs, and new public health challenges have created a more stressful work environment鈥攐ne that can significantly impact nurses鈥 mental health without proper management.
The nursing field knows more about burnout and chronic stress than ever before, so many healthcare systems have increased access to the following:
- Scheduling flexibility
- On-site mental health resources for nurses and other clinical staff
- Enhanced professional development and education related to mental wellness
To best advocate for themselves and protect their mental health, today鈥檚 nurses must also understand burnout and stress and learn how to use the resources at their disposal to their advantage.
4. Expansion of Nursing Specialties and Advanced Practice Roles
In recent years, the nursing field has seen increasing demand for Advance Practice Nurses like:
- Nurse practitioners (NPs)
- Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs)
- Nurse anesthetists (CRNAs)
Nurses with these kinds of specialized training can play larger roles in patient care and shoulder more responsibilities. However, as the demand has grown for specialists, so have opportunities in specialized fields like:
- Geriatrics
- Palliative care
- Forensic nursing
In response to these industry changes, today鈥檚 nurses must:
- Embrace opportunities for continuing education and professional development
- Explore their potential to achieve advanced training and certification
- Consider their potential roles in new specialties with staffing needs
One way to do all of the above is to enroll in a master of science in nursing, nurse executive (MSN-NE) program.
MSN-NEs can pursue advanced roles in nursing, specialized accreditations, and clinical specialty skills. But before making a decision, many nurses ask: how long does it take to get an MSN degree? The answer depends on the program type, with full-time students typically completing their MSN in two years and part-time students taking longer.
Additionally, aspiring nurses may want to explore the types of masters in nursing available, such as nurse leadership, education, or informatics. Choosing the right specialization can open doors to various career paths in advanced nursing practice.
5. Greater Role of Nurses in Public Health and Policy
Nursing school graduates have numerous career track options鈥攏ot just bedside roles in hospital settings.
Today, you can find nursing job opportunities in:
- Policymaking 鈥 Governmental organizations hire nurses to consult on lawmaking and regulations.
- Community health 鈥 Non-profit groups and other organizations in charge of public health programs lean on nursing support for direct patient care, consulting, and more.
- Disaster response 鈥 From disease outbreaks to national disasters, nurses can play a role in responding to large-scale emergencies.
As public programs expand, so does the demand for nurses in these organizations. Public health requires clinical guidance and support from practitioners with expertise.
6. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices in Healthcare
While you might not think of nursing and sustainability as being closely related, the two fields are beginning to overlap. Today鈥檚 healthcare facilities are making efforts to become more eco-friendly by implementing:
- Sustainable waste management practices
- Eco-friendly product sourcing
- Energy-efficient facilities and technologies
Of course, these changes have the potential to impact patient care鈥攆rom the tools nurses use to their procedures for safe waste disposal. For this reason, today鈥檚 nurses must:
- Be aware of efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare
- Understand how to use new, energy-efficient technologies and tools
- Develop the critical thinking skills to assess the risks and rewards of eco-friendly policies
Ultimately, 鈥済reen nursing鈥 is here to stay, so today鈥檚 clinical staff must keep their fingers on the pulse of sustainable developments in patient care.
7. Increased Use of Simulation-Based and VR Training for Nursing Education
New technologies have not just impacted patient care鈥攖hey have also impacted nursing education and job training.
Today鈥檚 nursing students have access to:
- Virtual reality (VR) tech and simulation labs for hands-on training
- AI-powered mannequins and digital cases to enhance the educational environment
- Online learning platforms that make nursing education more accessible
Whether you pursue a nursing degree from a hybrid (i.e., partially online) education program or enroll in a degree track using new technologies for hands-on learning, leaning into these educational tools could improve your overall training outcomes.
8. Increase in Nurse Leadership and Advocacy
As nursing roles expand, leadership and advocacy are becoming essential skills. Nurses are taking on greater responsibilities beyond patient care, including:
- Healthcare policy influence 鈥 More nurses are running for leadership positions in hospital boards, professional associations, and even government roles to advocate for patient-centered care.
- Mentorship and education 鈥 Experienced nurses are stepping into mentorship roles to support new nurses, improve workplace culture, and strengthen clinical teams.
- Ethical decision-making 鈥 As AI and technology reshape nursing, clinical professionals are being called upon to navigate ethical challenges and ensure patient safety.
9. Spotlight Nurse-Patient Communication and Empathy in Healthcare
While technology and AI enhance patient care, the human connection remains essential. Nurses are adapting to new communication challenges, such as:
- Digital bedside manner 鈥 With the rise of telehealth, nurses must develop skills to build trust and empathy through virtual consultations.
- Cultural competence 鈥 As patient populations grow more diverse, nurses need to navigate language barriers and cultural sensitivities effectively.
- Trauma-informed care 鈥 Understanding the impact of past trauma on patients helps nurses provide compassionate, individualized care.
Strong communication skills not only improve patient satisfaction but also lead to better health outcomes and stronger nurse-patient relationships.
Preparing for the Future: How to Stay Ahead in Nursing
No matter your current place in the nursing profession, you have more opportunities to invest in education than ever before. Today鈥檚 current and prospective nurses can choose from:
- BSN programs 鈥 A BSN degree program is one of the most popular routes for prospective nurses to prepare for a career. Whether you have never been to college, you have already completed some college credits, or you have one or more bachelor鈥檚 degrees already, a BSN could be your ticket to the nursing profession.
- MSN programs 鈥 An MSN degree program is often the right fit for current nurses with BSN degrees or people working in other fields looking to pivot to nursing. Plus, many MSN specialties are available today鈥攅specially for those looking to pursue leadership roles.
For nurses, it is never a bad time to invest in advanced career training. Completing a degree program could expand your career options, increase your earning potential, and grow your network of healthcare professionals鈥攁ll of which can help you achieve a more fulfilling career.
If you are considering enrolling in nursing school, explore nursing programs in Phoenix at 樱花视频. We offer high-quality, tech-forward nursing education to current and prospective clinicians in Arizona. With hybrid coursework options and robust clinical experience opportunities, our nursing programs can help you start your career on the right foot.
Stay Ahead of Nursing Trends with 樱花视频
Current trends in nursing鈥攍ike increased sustainability efforts, multicultural awareness, and tech integration鈥攈ave transformed the way we approach patient care. The best way to stay on the cutting edge of nursing knowledge is to continually invest in professional development and education.
樱花视频 is here to help. Our nursing programs are designed to support the clinical professionals of tomorrow; our students engage with expert faculty, receive mentorship from experienced nurses, and get hands-on experience with top-of-the-line nursing tech.
Request information about our nursing programs to learn more.
Sources:
- Bulto, Lemma. 鈥淭he Role of Nurse-Led Telehealth Interventions in Bridging Healthcare Gaps and Expanding Access.鈥 Nursing Open Journal. January 1, 2024. . Accessed February 28, 2025.
- 鈥淲hat Is Nurse Burnout? How to Prevent It.鈥 American Nurses Association. April 25, 2024. . Accessed February 28, 2025.
