Virtual Nursing

Do you have Virtual Nursing Expertise?

The application period to apply for a Professional Issues Panel to develop national policy on virtual nursing practice as a care delivery modality closed at 11:59 pm ET on May 6, 2024. 

The focus of the panel will be to develop principles and guidelines to implement and incorporate virtual nursing into nursing practice, irrespective of the technology used to deliver virtual nursing care.

Expected outcomes:

• Definition of virtual nursing.

• Develop guidance for the use of virtual nursing that speaks to:

  • Funding and reimbursement models

  • Impact on nurse and patient outcomes

  • Impact on portability, licensure and other regulations governing nursing practice, including nurse liability

  • Impact on nurse staffing

  • Ethical implications of this practice

Steering Committee  – The Steering Committee will include up to 15 ANA members who will do a deep dive into the topic. This committee will meet virtually, at least twice monthly, over a six month period.

The Steering Committee will complete this work during the first quarter of 2025. The first virtual meeting of the Steering Committee is scheduled for July 9 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm ET.

ANA is looking for panel members with the following types of experience and interest:

• Engaged in current nursing practice where virtual nursing is being used.

• Experience in managing the application of virtual nursing within a health care setting.

• Experience in evaluating virtual nursing as a nursing practice modality.

Applications are welcome from nurses across the care spectrum.

What is Virtual Nursing? Watch this ANA Webinar

What is Virtual Nursing? ANA Article

American Academy of Nursing

https://aannet.org/page/virtual-nursing-2024

Key Takeaways

• Virtual Nursing Can Meaningfully Expand Access to Care and Improve Nurse Well-Being

  
  

  In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing nursing shortages, and a rapidly evolving care environment, virtual nursing can achieve dual aims of improving access to care as well as bolstering workforce well-being through shifted team care. The option of serving as a virtual nurse can also extend the careers of experienced RNs who may otherwise exit the workforce.

• Intentional Design of Safe, User-Centered Systems Must Account for Common Challenges and Risks

  
  

  The digital divide, mis- and disinformation about technology, and disparate internet access across regions must be considered when designing and implementing virtual care models. Furthermore, clinical governance of virtual nursing must account for the risks of internet and power outages, cybersecurity breaches, and virtual platform breakdowns. Nurses have a key role to play in assuring safety in all aspects of virtual platforms and promoting safety in the emerging regulatory landscape. 

• Virtual Nursing Strengthens Patient Engagement and Empowerment in Care 

  
  

  Virtual nursing empowers patients beyond being health care consumers to being meaningful partners in their care. With essentially on-demand access to a virtual nurse, the patient feels more seen, heard, and included. This powerful shift ultimately leads to better quality and safer outcomes.

• Policies Guiding Standards, Competencies, Licensure, and Payment Must Evolve with Virtual Care

  
  

  Barriers that impede the implementation and success of virtual nursing models must be addressed, such as reliance on waivers for implementation and licensing requirements that limit nurses’ ability to practice across state lines virtually. For long-term sustainability and success, updated standards and competencies for nurses must also be developed.

• Quality and Safety Measures Must Be Reimagined for the Virtual Care Environment

  
  

  Traditional quality measures such as hospital-acquired infections and falls continue to underpin assessments of virtual nursing models. As the virtual care environment continues to evolve, quality and balancing measures, including patient reported outcome measures, must evolve to evaluate quality not only within but across health systems and ensure that novel models are not resulting in adverse or unintended consequences in other areas of care.