One of the most asked-about aspects of Virtual Nursing implementation is: How should we staff it? The new collaborative care model presents uncharted waters and healthcare leaders are eager for a frame of reference as they build their staffing models.
- Who makes a good virtual nurse?
- What ratios work best?
- How do virtual and bedside nurses coordinate effectively?
These are just a few key questions healthcare leaders ask as they explore Virtual Nursing as a more sustainable solution to staffing and efficiency challenges.
To help guide you on your journey, we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about Virtual Nursing staffing models, answered with expert insights and real-world examples from hospital systems leading the way.
Q: What should hospitals look for when hiring virtual nurses?
A: The ideal virtual nurse has a blend of strong clinical experience and communication skills. Prior bedside and documentation experience and technical proficiency are essential. Critical thinking, multitasking, and coaching aptitudes are desirable. Above all, ideal candidates should be able to communicate clearly and effectively with patients, bedside staff, and families.
Many hospitals find that experienced nurses looking for a change from traditional bedside roles—due to burnout or physical limitations—make excellent candidates for Virtual Nursing.
Q: What are common virtual nursing staffing models?
A: Hospitals typically adopt one of three staffing models:
- Fully Virtual Model: Nurses work from a remote hub overseeing multiple units or hospitals.
- Hybrid Model: Nurses split their time between virtual shifts and bedside care, maintaining hands-on skills and supporting remote workflows.
- Outsourced Model: Hospitals partner with third-party staffing agencies to supplement their Virtual Nursing programs.
To build staff awareness and rapport, many health systems start with a hybrid model to allow bedside nurses to rotate into virtual roles before transitioning to a fully virtual or blended workforce.
Two approaches to task management are common: a virtual nurse gets assigned to one or two floors and covers all activities on those floors, or a global dashboard is employed where tasks are assigned to virtual nurses as they come in.
Q: What are the recommended staffing ratios for virtual nursing?
A: Staffing ratios for virtual nursing vary based on the model and scope of responsibilities. Some commonly used benchmarks include:
- Virtual Admission and Discharge Support: 1 virtual nurse per 10-15 patients.
- Virtual Observation and Safety Monitoring: 1 virtual nurse per 12-16 patients.
- Virtual Clinical Documentation and Support: 1 virtual nurse per 6-8 bedside nurses.
- Virtual Case Management & Transitions of Care: 1 virtual nurse per 15-25 discharged patients.
As a rule of thumb, virtual nurses can typically manage 10-15 admissions and 8-12 discharges per shift.
Hospitals often start with pilot programs to fine-tune staffing ratios based on their workflows, patient populations, and technology infrastructure.
Q: How do virtual nurses collaborate with bedside teams?
A: Virtual nurses and bedside teams work together through:
- Secure chat and messaging systems (e.g., Epic Secure Chat, Caregility iConsult)
- Virtual nurse alert buttons in patient rooms (e.g., Caregility vLert button)
- Task management apps that assign and track duties (e.g. Caregility iCare Coordinator)
- Daily huddles between virtual and bedside staff to coordinate workflows
Hospitals that prioritize clear communication pathways and integrate virtual nurses into the broader care team report the highest success rates.
Q: What are the key benefits of virtual nursing from a staffing perspective?
A: Virtual nursing alleviates common staffing challenges by:
- Reducing workload for bedside nurses, giving them more time for direct patient care.
- Extending the careers of experienced nurses who may struggle with the physical demands of bedside nursing.
- Improving nurse satisfaction and retention by offering flexible roles that reduce burnout.
- Enhancing patient safety by ensuring continuous monitoring and timely interventions.
As hospitals face persistent workforce shortages, Virtual Nursing presents a sustainable strategy to optimize staffing while maintaining high-quality care. By leveraging virtual nurses strategically, health systems can create more efficient workflows, reduce bedside nurse burnout, and improve patient outcomes.
Interested in learning more? Set up a discovery call to explore Virtual Nursing for your healthcare organization.
This article is the second installment in a two-part series exploring the evolution of Virtual Nursing. In part one, we explore unique use cases for Virtual Nursing.
