So, You Want to Talk About Virtual Nursing. What's Next?

The 'future' of virtual nursing is here, and nurse leaders must prepare for the next evolution.

Healthcare is constantly changing as new waves of innovation become harder and harder to keep up with. While many health systems are already far along on their virtual nursing journeys, many are still just testing the waters.

Virtual nursing enables health systems to uplift the nursing practice in ways that, until now, were not possible. The invention and integration of virtual care technology gives time back to bedside nurses by removing administrative burdens and streamlining admissions and discharges.

Virtual nurses can take on documentation and spend uninterrupted time with patients, while bedside nurses spend more hands-on time caring for them. Virtual nursing also gives nurses flexible scheduling options, which can be especially beneficial to nurses who have physical limitations or who are burnt out and need a break.

Progress so far

Virtual nursing has come a long way since its inception, and its takeoff in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many health systems started with the "quick and dirty" approach, with just a few iPads and carts, or whatever they had available at the time. Nowadays, many systems are fully outfitted with complete audio and video setups, with integrated built-in cameras and permanent TV monitors.

 Steve Klahn, system clinical director for virtual medicine at Houston Methodist, previously told HealthLeaders that within the next five to 10 years, 60% to 70% of nursing positions across the industry will likely become virtual or have a virtual component. 

"I'd say well over half," Klahn said, "just with [the] massive growth and expansion over the last two years." 

Klahn explained that this is largely due to the response to virtual nursing programs. 

"This is going to stick with us for a while," Klahn said, "understandably so, because there's such positive response to programs that are engaging a virtual component or fully virtual." 

However, not all health systems have the same bandwidth for investment in virtual nursing. Smaller hospitals and rural health systems often have budget limitations that can make implementing new technologies more difficult.

CNOs and other nurse leaders have an important opportunity to brainstorm ways for health systems with those limitations to implement virtual nursing so that their patients and staff can see the same benefits.

What comes next?

As the nursing workforce continues to evolve, health systems must try and keep up with the latest technological trends to keep patient care innovative and efficient. Virtual nursing offers health systems a way to bridge staffing gaps and bring care workflows to the next level.

The next webinar in our Winning Edge series will explore what additional technologies can be integrated into your virtual nursing program, and how to optimize it to best support the bedside nurse and be cost effective.

Our distinguished panel includes:

• Catherine Hughes, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive, Virtua Health
• Sandy Alexander, Associate Nursing Officer, Vanderbilt Health
• Jennie Van Antwerp, Director of Digital Acute Care, OSF HealthCare
• Dr. Christine Gall, DrPH, MS, BSN, Chief Nursing Officer, Collette Health
• G Hatfield, Event Moderator and HealthLeaders CNO Editor

This isn’t just another webinar—it’s your chance to learn from the best in the business and walk away with strategies you can implement immediately.

Join us as we face the problems, share solutions, and help you reboot your virtual nursing strategy.

Register here today to reserve your spot.

This webinar is sponsored by Collette Health.