Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed many changes in global healthcare and the nursing workforce (1). Among these evolutions were the rapid advances in the use of technology to facilitate patient care. Many patients and providers have had experience with tele-health for outpatient visits or specialty consultations, but truly embedding technology, in the form of virtual nursing to support the provision of in-patient, non-ICU nursing care, is a newer phenomenon. Virtual nursing may be able to address many issues at the patient, staff and organizational level, however the best practices for implementing this staffing model are unknown (2).
Purpose: This presentation will review the findings of a structured integrative review to address the question, “what are best practices for implementing virtual nursing in a non-ICU setting?”
Methods: To answer the review question, the team performed a systematic search and screening of the literature, evidence appraisal and generated recommendations using the Johns Hopkins EBP model (3). Evidence published since 2019 was included.
Findings: Of an initial 337 search results, 6 articles answered the EBP question (5 single studies and 1 programmatic experience). All evidence was generated in the USA. The most common tasks performed by the virtual nurse (ViRN) were monitoring for patient deterioration or other missed cares, discharges, and education for nurses or patients.
There is not a single set of skills or experiences required for the ViRN, however the evidence suggests critical thinking, leadership, communication, and ability to navigate policies and procedures is important. Implementation should involve a phased-in approach with set workflows and provide education to all unit staff and patients. Leadership plays a core role, and shared governance models should be leveraged.
Evidence is mixed on optimal staffing ratios, the location of the ViRN, and the level of experience needed (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
Notes
References:
(1) Peters, Micah. "Time to solve persistent, pernicious and widespread nursing workforce shortages." International nursing review 70.2 (2023): 247-253.
(2) Tibbe, M., Arneson, S., & Welsh, C. (2023). Rise of the Virtual Nurse. AACN advanced critical care, 34(4), 314-323.
(3) Dang, Deborah, et al. Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines. Sigma Theta Tau, 2021.
(4) Helms, A. M., Yang, H., Karamchandani, R. R., Williams, L., Singh, S., DeFilipp, G. J., & Asimos, A. W. (2023). A Telestroke Nurse and Neuroradiologist Model for Extended Window Code Stroke Triage. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 55(3), 74–79. https://doi.org/10.1097/JNN.0000000000000700
(5) Lisk, L. E., Buckley, J. D., Wilson, K., Martinez, V. A., Cadiz, V. R., Poropat, L., & Scruth, E. A. (2020). Developing a Virtual Nursing Team to Support Predictive Analytics and Gaps in Patient Care. Clinical Nurse Specialist: The Journal for Advanced Nursing Practice, 34(1), 17–22. https://doi.org/10.1097/NUR.0000000000000496
(6) Perpetua, Z., Seitz, S., Schunk, J., Rogers, D., Gala, J., Sherwood, P., Mikulis, A., Santucci, N., Ankney, D., Bryan-Morris, L., & DePasquale, K. (2023). Virtual Discharge: Enhancing and Optimizing Care Efficiency for the Bedside Nurse. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 38(3), 234–242. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000689
(7) Roberson, A. E., Carlson, M., Kohler, C. M., Harris, P. A., & Volkmann, C. L. (2023). Initiating Virtual Nursing in General Inpatient Care. AJN American Journal of Nursing, 123(6), 48–54. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000938736.42266.5e
(8) Savitz, S. T., Frederick, R. K., Sangaralingham, L. R., Lampman, M. A., Anderson, S. S., Habermann, E. B., & Bell, S. J. (2023). Evaluation of safety and care outcomes after the introduction of a virtual registered nurse model. Health Services Research, 58(5), 999–1013. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.14208
(9) Schuelke, S., Aurit, S., Connot, N., & Denney, S. (2019). Virtual Nursing: The New Reality in Quality Care. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 43(4), 322–328. https://doi.org/10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000376
Sigma Membership
Nu Beta at-Large
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Implementation Science, Workforce, Acute Care, Global Healthcare, Virtual Patient Care, Virtual Nursing
Recommended Citation
Whalen, Madeleine, "Implementing Emerging Technology in Global Healthcare: An Integrative Review on Virtual Nursing" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 81.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/81
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Implementing Emerging Technology in Global Healthcare: An Integrative Review on Virtual Nursing
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed many changes in global healthcare and the nursing workforce (1). Among these evolutions were the rapid advances in the use of technology to facilitate patient care. Many patients and providers have had experience with tele-health for outpatient visits or specialty consultations, but truly embedding technology, in the form of virtual nursing to support the provision of in-patient, non-ICU nursing care, is a newer phenomenon. Virtual nursing may be able to address many issues at the patient, staff and organizational level, however the best practices for implementing this staffing model are unknown (2).
Purpose: This presentation will review the findings of a structured integrative review to address the question, “what are best practices for implementing virtual nursing in a non-ICU setting?”
Methods: To answer the review question, the team performed a systematic search and screening of the literature, evidence appraisal and generated recommendations using the Johns Hopkins EBP model (3). Evidence published since 2019 was included.
Findings: Of an initial 337 search results, 6 articles answered the EBP question (5 single studies and 1 programmatic experience). All evidence was generated in the USA. The most common tasks performed by the virtual nurse (ViRN) were monitoring for patient deterioration or other missed cares, discharges, and education for nurses or patients.
There is not a single set of skills or experiences required for the ViRN, however the evidence suggests critical thinking, leadership, communication, and ability to navigate policies and procedures is important. Implementation should involve a phased-in approach with set workflows and provide education to all unit staff and patients. Leadership plays a core role, and shared governance models should be leveraged.
Evidence is mixed on optimal staffing ratios, the location of the ViRN, and the level of experience needed (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
Description
Virtual nursing is no longer science fiction, it is healthcare. This presentation dives deep into the literature to find out what parts of this staffing strategy are evidence-based, and which are wishful thinking. Learn more about what we know and what research needs to be done to realize the full potential of this imminent technology.