The growing role of virtual nursing

Reviewed by: Aubrey Lindahl, BSN, RN | Program Manager of Virtual Nursing

The landscape of healthcare is transforming in remarkable ways. One significant change is the emergence of virtual nursing, a field that is not only reshaping how we deliver care but also how we enhance patient outcomes and experiences.

This article explores the future of healthcare through the lens of virtual nursing. We’ll highlight how it leans into technology to improve the connection between patients and care teams by offering an additional layer of support in a virtual setting.

What is virtual nursing?

A virtual nurse performs many of the same duties as a traditional nurse but from a distance. They use technology to provide nursing care remotely, often focusing on tasks that don't require being at the bedside. This is a complementary service in addition to your in-person nurse, who will address your physical needs and be the primary contact for your immediate needs. There is no additional charge for this service.

Virtual nurses are educated and experienced bedside nurses staffed by our health system. These nurses continue to work both at the bedside and in the virtual role, which provides comprehensive coverage of patient needs during your hospital stay. With the growing reliance on telehealth, it is becoming an integral part of our care model, offering a promising solution to many of the challenges faced by traditional healthcare delivery.

“Implementing the virtual nurse is a welcomed addition to our care team. Knowing they are there to ask admission questions, do discharge teaching and check in on my patients allows me to spend more time with patients that require additional hands-on care.” 

— From a bedside nurse

Benefits of virtual nursing

The benefits of virtual nursing are numerous and significant. It creates efficiency in patient care workflows and improves safety and experience by quickly offering you an accessible nursing expert. By leveraging technology, this form of nursing bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring continuity of care and improving patient outcomes.

Our virtual nurses assist the bedside staff with tasks related to admission, discharge and patient education. They perform rounding, which ensures patients have safety precautions in place as well as compliance with interventions according to patient-specific needs. This additional support can lead to better overall patient satisfaction.

How does it work?

In select units, both Gundersen and Bellin regions proudly offer virtual nursing. A virtual nurse will check on you during your stay by using the in-room TV. When a virtual nurse connects to your hospital room, the TV screen will turn blue, and the virtual nurse’s name will appear on the screen. The nurse will introduce themselves and ask permission to enable video connection to have a virtual visit with you.

While we can't guarantee a specific time that a visit will take place, the virtual nurse will confirm with you that it's an appropriate time for a virtual visit. If it's not a convenient time, the nurse may try again to conduct a visit at another time.

Common myths about virtual nursing

Virtual nursing is growing in popularity, but there are some common myths about it that can create misunderstandings. Let’s walk through them:

Myth: It's impersonal

One of the most prevalent myths about virtual nursing is that it lacks the personal touch of face-to-face interactions. Many people believe that without in-person contact, the quality of care diminishes. This perception is rooted in traditional views of healthcare, where physical presence is often equated with empathy and understanding.

Reality: Personalized care through technology

While it's true that virtual nursing doesn't involve physical presence, it doesn't mean the care is impersonal. In fact, technology allows nurses to maintain strong relationships with patients through consistent and meaningful interactions. 

“My wife and I found out a few days before discharge that I would be going home with a Foley catheter in place. We were both filled with anxiety, wondering if we would be able to take care of it on our own. Our bedside nurse recognized our concerns and immediately contacted the virtual nurse to help. She chimed into our room a short time later and was very thorough in teaching us until we felt comfortable with what we had learned. It made our hospital experience great knowing that a virtual nurse was available to help. Truly a great program” 

— From a grateful patient

Myth: It's not secure

Concerns about privacy and data security often lead people to doubt the safety of virtual nursing. The myth is that sensitive patient information might be at risk, deterring some from utilizing virtual services.

Reality: Robust security measures

We prioritize patient privacy and data security, implementing stringent measures to protect sensitive information. Our platforms use advanced applications to protect patient information, ensuring that data is transmitted safely. In addition, the video and audio from your interaction are never recorded or saved. The camera and audio are only accessed by the virtual nurse with your permission.

Myth: It replaces traditional nursing

Some believe that virtual nursing is meant to replace traditional, in-person nursing altogether. This myth creates concern among healthcare professionals and patients alike, fearing the loss of personal interaction.

Reality: A complementary service

Virtual nursing is not intended to replace traditional nursing but to complement it, enhancing the overall healthcare experience. It serves as an additional tool for us to enhance patient care, offering flexibility and convenience.

Myth 5: It’s too complex for older adults

There's a widespread belief that older adults struggle with technology and cannot benefit from virtual nursing. This misconception underestimates the adaptability of older generations and the advancements in user-friendly technology.

Reality: Accessible and user-friendly

Virtual nursing platforms are designed to be user-friendly, accommodating patients of all ages, including older adults. Our nurses offer guidance and support to help you navigate virtual interactions, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident. Our virtual nursing platform also has the capability to have a family member or friend join the virtual session to assist with education and learnings. 

Outlook for the future

The future of virtual nursing is bright thanks to advancements in technology and the increasing acceptance of telehealth services. It will continue to play an increasingly vital role in delivering high-quality, accessible care. 

On the horizon, we'll look to utilize technology to enhance patient safety by using artificial intelligence (AI) for fall risk and pressure injury prevention. This will aid continuous monitoring of high-risk patients to ensure safety as our healthcare system evolves.

Additional subject-matter experts: Erika Woulf, MSN, RN | Sarah Collins, BS, BSN, RN-BC