UbiSim Study Finds Widening Gap Between Nursing Education and Employer Expectations

 A sweeping new study of 390 hospital and health system hiring leaders across the United States and Canada reveals a widening gap between nursing education and employer expectations, with artificial intelligence (AI) driving unprecedented changes in required competencies for new graduates.

The research, conducted by UbiSim by Labster and released in the report "Practice Ready? Not Really: Understanding the Gap Between Nursing Education and Employer Expectations," found that 65% of hiring leaders say it's significantly harder to find practice-ready graduates today compared to just three years ago. This lack of qualified candidates presents a challenge in filling available nursing positions, with 56% of hiring leaders reporting at least one bedside nursing position vacant for three months or longer.

AI Skills Surge from "Nice-to-Have" to Essential

Perhaps most striking is the dramatic shift in expectations for nurse practice readiness. The study found a 165% increase in the share of hiring leaders who now consider AI-assisted charting an essential competency – jumping from 26% three years ago to 69% today. This rapid evolution reflects the pace of technological transformation across healthcare settings.

"Healthcare is changing rapidly, and nursing education must keep pace," said Dr. Christine Heid, PhD, MSN/Ed, RN, CNE, CHSE, Nursing Simulation Specialist at UbiSim. "Our research shows that while new graduates bring strong textbook knowledge, 62% of hiring managers report they struggle to translate that knowledge into practice. By embracing experiential learning and AI-powered technology, nursing programs can better prepare graduates to enter the workforce as confident, adaptable nurses ready to deliver the care patients need and deserve."

Nursing Remains a Highly Secure Career Path

Despite the challenges in preparedness, the study reinforces nursing's long-term career security. Fifty-two percent of respondents rate nursing as "highly secure" over the next decade – outpacing even physicians. 

Importantly, only 17% of hiring leaders believe bedside nursing roles are vulnerable to AI-related job displacement, viewing artificial intelligence as a force multiplier rather than a replacement for human clinical judgment.