What Is Virtual Nursing? Why Is It On Rise?

Nursing is regarded as one of the most trusted professions across America and the backbone of the country's healthcare system. The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines nursing as integrating the art and science of care, focusing on optimizing health, preventing illness, promoting healing, and alleviating suffering through compassionate presence. Yet, nurses today face growing challenges, such as evolving care models, increasing administrative burdens, and workforce shortages, pushing them to do more with less. In response, the virtual nursing care model has gained significant traction, offering a promising solution to enhance patient care while alleviating the strain on nurses.

The concept of virtual nursing is not new. It was first documented in 1974 but it increased manifold during the COVID pandemic. It leverages various tools, such as synchronous and asynchronous telehealth platforms, remote monitoring tools, and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies enable virtual nurses to interact with patients, track vital signs, and alert on-site staff to significant health changes. Virtual nurses can also access patients' electronic health records (EHRs), supporting bedside nurses in clinical decision-making and enhancing care coordination.

Nursing Shortage

As mentioned earlier, this profession rose significantly during the coronavirus pandemic, primarily due to the ongoing shortage of nurses. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the US lost 100,000 registered nurses (RNs) during the pandemic and may lose an additional 900,000 by 2027. This shortage has contributed to burnout, as many nurses report increased workloads and emotional exhaustion.

Virtual nursing has also proven to be an effective recruitment tool. A survey conducted by AvaSure found that 75% of healthcare professionals believe virtual nursing can help recruit nurses who are unable or unwilling to work at the bedside. Common use cases for virtual nursing include patient discharge, admissions, patient education, and expert clinical oversight. These tasks, often burdensome for bedside nurses, can be handled remotely, giving them more time for hands-on patient care. In addition, virtual nursing helps reduce inpatient capacity constraints by enabling quicker discharges and improving emergency department patient flow.

Implementing virtual nursing comes with its own set of challenges. Healthcare organizations are needed to develop new workflows, address patient concerns, and build trust between virtual and bedside nurses. Some health systems have successfully navigated these challenges by conducting listening sessions with nurses and setting up focus groups to explain the virtual nursing model to patients. It’s crucial to reassure on-site nurses that virtual nurses are not replacing them but rather supporting their work.

The interest in virtual nursing is growing. A survey conducted in 2023 shows that 66% of healthcare professionals believe virtual nursing will become integral to acute care delivery. Organizations like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Jefferson Health launched virtual nursing programs, aiming to improve care and reduce administrative burdens. Many have also implemented virtual nursing models to address workforce shortages. Research from institutions like BayCare Health System and NewYork-Presbyterian has shown that virtual nursing improves both patient and nurse satisfaction, reducing turnover and adverse events.