Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing healthcare delivery by supporting clinical decision-making, improving workflow efficiency, and expanding access to health information. In nursing, however, effective care depends not only on technological advances but also on empathy, professional judgment, therapeutic communication, and patient-centered practice. As AI becomes more widely integrated into clinical settings, understanding its impact on nursing practice, cognitive processes, and mental health has become increasingly important. Objective This structured literature review explores current evidence regarding AI-supported nursing care, with particular emphasis on its influence on clinical reasoning, cognitive performance, therapeutic nurse-patient relationships, and mental health outcomes. The review also examines how intelligent technologies can be incorporated into nursing practice while preserving the human values that define the profession. Methods A structured literature search was conducted using major scientific databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore. Eligible studies examined the application of AI within nursing practice, clinical decision support, cognitive performance, patient experiences, and mental health care. The retrieved evidence was critically evaluated and synthesized thematically to identify recurring patterns, emerging opportunities, implementation challenges, and future directions for AI-assisted nursing. Results The reviewed literature indicates that AI can strengthen nursing practice by improving risk identification, supporting clinical decision-making, reducing documentation burden, and facilitating timely interventions. These advantages may enable nurses to dedicate more time to direct patient care and therapeutic engagement. Nevertheless, several concerns remain, including automation bias, excessive dependence on algorithmic recommendations, ethical challenges, data privacy, and the potential erosion of critical thinking if AI systems are used without appropriate professional oversight. Most evidence suggests that AI is most effective when it complements rather than replaces nurses' expertise, compassion, and clinical judgment. Conclusion AI has considerable potential to enhance nursing practice when introduced responsibly within ethically grounded and patient-centered models of care. Although intelligent technologies can improve efficiency and support evidence-informed decisions, they cannot substitute for the empathy, clinical reasoning, and therapeutic relationships that remain central to professional nursing. Future developments should prioritize collaborative human-AI partnerships that strengthen, rather than diminish, the quality and humanity of nursing care.</p>