Objective: With the intensification of global population aging, diversified upgrading of clinical nursing demands, and the prominent contradiction of nursing human resource shortage, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a core driving force for the reform of clinical nursing models. This paper systematically reviews the application status of AI in clinical nursing, analyzes the core challenges in its development, and proposes optimization strategies, so as to provide evidence-based references for the deep integration of AI and clinical nursing. Methods: Core research findings on AI in nursing at home and abroad were systematically integrated, covering key research directions including clinical technology implementation, nursing service optimization, humanistic nursing innovation, talent training, and R&D and application of intelligent equipment, followed by comprehensive analysis and critical review. Results: AI technologies have been implemented in full scenarios of clinical nursing, showing significant value in improving nursing efficiency, ensuring patient safety, and optimizing nursing outcomes. However, core problems remain, such as insufficient clinical translation of technologies, gaps in AI literacy among nurses, imperfect ethical and normative systems, and inadequate industrial standards and evidence-based support. Conclusion: The future integration of AI and nursing should adhere to the patient-centered core philosophy, build a nursing-led technology R&D system, lifelong career talent training, sound ethical norms and industrial standards, so as to promote the high-quality development of nursing in China.