4 Considerations for Nurse Executives Launching or Scaling Virtual Nursing Pilots in 2024

Virtual nursing is a promising care model that can create attractive jobs for the frontline while addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing inpatient care delivery. For nurse leaders experimenting with virtual nursing pilots, the heightened expectations are deserved, as our analysis shows the success of virtual nursing is not fleeting. ROI is possible – so long as it is measured the right way.

The Health Management Academy’s Nursing Catalyst team interviewed leaders overseeing virtual nursing initiatives to equip nurse executives with in-depth profiles of pilots and programs. Those profiles help to inform leader decision-making in a terrain with limited publicly available outcomes data.

Based on that analysis, here are four top considerations for nurse leaders managing virtual nursing pilots in 2024:

1: Gain Perspective on Which Virtual Models Are Establishing a Presence Across Healthcare

Health systems should always benefit from visibility into what is working well and what is not. Before launching a virtual nursing pilot, nurse leaders must acquire intel on the structures, investment requirements, challenges, and outcomes of virtual nursing programs.

Leveraging this information is essential to de-risk innovation decisions and move more quickly through pilot planning, refining, and scaling.?

2: Understand Which Innovations Are More or Less Likely to Succeed

There are a wide variety of virtual nursing programs, which is why Nursing Catalyst researchers offer a deep analysis of the gradients of virtual nursing, from how models work, to the results that are being generated, to what kind of technological innovations are required for success.

• When it comes to technology, resource-light organizations often successfully leverage their preexisting investments; for example, facilitating communication between virtual nurses and the bedside through Voalte phones.
• Those with inpatient rooms already pre-wired with two-way cameras, mics, and speakers typically deploy their virtual nurses not only to take on tasks typically assigned to the bedside, but also to improve patient experience.

3: Glean Insight into Investment Required to Launch and Scale Innovation

For many virtual nursing implementors, the experimental phase is in the past. Focus and attention are now turned toward generating financial ROI and understanding where and how to scale programs to maximize returns.

For example: Nascent pilots typically generate ROI through reducing length of stay and other efficiency metrics. While many virtual nursing programs do improve staff satisfaction, few have moved the dial on turnover (and more importantly, turnover-related costs) within the limited window of a pilot.

4: Compare Program Components and Results with?Those from Within Your Organization

With access to Nursing Catalyst’s Program Snapshots, a compendium of virtual nursing profiles, nurse executives gain insight into improvement opportunities within their organization, can validate (or challenge) assumptions, and become informed to assess the applicability and overall impact of program adoption.

Learn More About Virtual Nursing Program Snapshots

Click here for more information on Nursing Catalyst Program Snapshots , providing nurse executives with visibility into the structure and performance of innovative virtual nursing pilots taking place at leading health systems.

Virtual nursing holds the potential to redefine inpatient patient care delivery, reduce health system labor costs, and create attractive jobs for the frontline. Nurse executives at the vanguard of this innovation require practical insights to help them define meaningful system ROI and enhance professional practice.?