Virtual Nursing: Models of Care

COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the face of the health care workforce. The pandemic has strained hospitals, affecting caregivers’ well-being and resulting in many leaving their hospital jobs. The AHA has been collecting resources to assist organizations in their efforts to plan for the future post-COVID-19 workforce.

As discussed by Sylvain Trepanier, R.N., chief nursing officer at Providence, “Virtual nursing was introduced a couple of decades ago, but it’s getting a fresh look thanks in large part to its successful use during the height of the pandemic. Today, leaders at many health systems are piloting technologies and expanding programs as they work to systematically scale this model.”

Nursing leaders have identified five essential characteristics for successful virtual nursing programs:
1. Be inclusive from the start.
2. Allow time for relationship building.
3. Anticipate technological difficulties.
4. Don’t be afraid to change workflows.
5. Make sure buildings have adequate wireless bandwidth.

The AHA has collected from our member hospitals and health systems examples of successful virtual nursing programs. Below is a brief summary of those case examples.

FEATURED CASE STUDIES

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE WITH HOUSTON METHODIST

IMPLEMENTING A VIRTUAL TEAM MODEL IN THE ACUTE CARE SETTING

COVENANT MEDICAL CENTER REVOLUTIONIZES THE WAY NURSES DELIVER CARE

BON SECOURS MERCY HEALTH PILOTS VIRTUAL NURSING

SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL INTRODUCES VIRTUALLY INTEGRATED CARE THROUGH USE OF PIONEERING TECHNOLOGY

CREATING PARTNERSHIPS FOR CARE: OCHSNER’S VIRTUAL NURSE PROGRAM

BAYCARE’S VIRTUAL NURSE PILOT PROGRAM PLEASES PATIENTS AND NURSES

TRANSFORMING HEALTH CARE DELIVERY THROUGH VIRTUAL CARE

MAYO CLINIC’S ADVANCED CARE AT HOME