In 2025, nurse executives were focused on aggressive plans to redesign care delivery, but this year, leaders said they are no longer pursuing complete redesigns. Instead, they focus on efforts with the strongest outcomes and build on what has proven to work, according to a Wolters Kluwer survey published April 1.
The Lippincott FutureCare Nursing 2026 Survey is based on qualitative interviews with 150 chief nursing officers and senior nurse leaders from U.S. hospital and health systems. The survey, in its second year, examines trends of new care models and the way those models affect hiring and technology use, according to an April 1 news release from the software and consulting firm.
Here are eight survey findings:
1. Nearly 9 in 10 leaders embraced a new care model in the last year, and leaders said evolving care models are “no longer optional, experimental or reversible,” the release said. This year, leaders are focused on disciplined change, and sustaining care models while working around financial and workforce constraints.
2. Many new models required structural workforce adjustments. About 2 in 5 nurse leaders are hiring home health care nurse coordinators and internal float pool nurses.
3. Leaders are investing more in new models directly linked to outcomes in patient safety, workforce stability and competency. Among respondents, 87% reported a positive impact on patient outcomes and strengthening nurse competencies, and 83% reported improvements in recruitment and retention.
4. Home healthcare was the highest-performing model, with 90% of leaders reporting it worked well. In 2025, 71% of leaders said it would be a priority, but only 41% reported managing these models during the 2026 survey. The slower pace may reflect difficulties in operational, regulatory and partnership requirements for these programs.
5. In 2025, nurse leaders said they expected to make the most progress in home healthcare, float pools and virtual nursing. But in 2026, 84% of respondents reported that multidisciplinary care was the area with the greatest advancement.
6. About 75% of nurse leaders said technology played a role in implementing new care models, and many leaders described technology as foundational to care delivery, according to the survey.
7. Among respondents, 69% said AI had a positive impact on care model implementation, but only 27% described it having a large impact. The majority of nurse leaders said they would feel more comfortable using AI with clearer standards or governance in place, and only 39% have adopted generative AI.
8. Nearly 90% of leaders are launching new models to attract employees and meet patient expectations, but said financial pressures are shaping these models.
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