As hospitals continue exploring innovative care models, virtual nursing programs have become one of the most widely discussed solutions for reducing workload and improving patient care. Yet new research shows that nurses working at the bedside are not experiencing these programs the same way hospital leaders expect.
A new multi-state study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, conducted between December 2023 and March 2024, surveyed nearly 900 in-hospital nurses to evaluate how virtual nursing affects staffing, workflows, and patient outcomes. The findings, published December 5 in JAMA Network Open, reveal a mixed picture—one that calls for thoughtful implementation rather than quick adoption.
Below is a human-friendly summary of the study’s insights and what they mean for hospitals, healthcare leaders, and clinical teams.
1. Most Nurses Say Workload Has Not Improved
A key goal of virtual nursing programs is to reduce the pressure placed on bedside teams.
However, 57% of nurses reported that virtual nursing did not reduce their workload, and 10% even said the programs increased it.
Why? Nurses often shared that unclear responsibilities, communication gaps, and additional coordination with virtual nurses sometimes created more tasks rather than eliminating them.
For hospitals hoping to use virtual care models to reduce burnout, this finding signals the need for clearer workflows and staffing alignment.
2. Slight Majority See Benefits to Patient Care
Although workflow relief was limited, nurses did report quality-of-care improvements:
- 53% said patient care improved when collaborating with virtual nurses
- But only 11% felt the quality improved “a lot”
This suggests that virtual nursing programs can enhance patient experience, but only if they are paired with adequate bedside staffing and intentional role design.
3. The Top Uses of Virtual Nursing
Bedside nurses identified several areas where virtual nurses were most helpful:
- Continuous patient observation
- Admission and discharge support
- Patient education
- Assistance with communication and documentation
These administrative and monitoring tasks are essential in modern healthcare, especially during staffing shortages. When virtual nurses handle these responsibilities effectively, bedside teams can remain more focused on hands-on clinical needs.
4. Perceived Strengths of Virtual Nursing Programs
Nurses acknowledged several strong points:
- Reliable monitoring and documentation
- Support for staffing limitations
- Helping mitigate patient distrust through consistent communication
- Reducing workflow inefficiencies
These strengths highlight the potential value that virtual nursing can bring when integrated strategically—not as a substitute for bedside staff, but as a complementary resource.
5. Leaders Should Proceed with Caution, Not Assumptions
The study’s concluding message is clear: virtual nursing programs are not a universal solution—and their success depends heavily on bedside staffing levels and clear role definitions.
Study co-author Karen Lasater, PhD, RN, shared an important insight:
“The data is mixed as to whether virtual nursing programs offer relief to in-hospital nurses and enhance the quality of patient care… Hospitals should proceed cautiously in the absence of strong evidence about whether and under which conditions virtual nursing programs are safe and effective.”
She added:
“There is strong evidence that staffing more nurses at the bedside is linked to better outcomes for patients and nurses alike.”
This reinforces what many healthcare leaders already know: technology can support the workforce, but it cannot replace the need for adequate bedside staffing.
What This Means for Hospitals in 2025
For organizations looking to implement or expand virtual nursing programs, the research suggests:
- Don’t expect immediate workload reductions
- Invest in workflow clarity and role alignment
- Maintain strong bedside staffing—virtual teams cannot replace hands-on care
- Prioritize training, communication standards, and role boundaries
- Measure outcomes continuously before scaling system-wide
At 3B Healthcare, we believe technology should support, not strain, clinical teams. Virtual care models can be powerful tools, but only when implemented with the voices and experiences of bedside nurses at the center.
Conclusion
Virtual nursing programs are reshaping how healthcare teams deliver care, but their impact varies widely depending on staffing, structure, and execution. While many nurses value improved patient communication and monitoring, the reality is that workload relief remains limited.
Hospitals that move forward thoughtfully—balancing innovation with adequate staffing and defined workflows—will see the strongest results for both clinicians and patients.
FAQ
Virtual nursing programs do not consistently reduce workload. Many bedside nurses report little to no relief, mainly due to unclear responsibilities and duplicated communication. These programs only help when workflows are well-designed, technology runs smoothly, and adequate bedside staffing is already in place.
Virtual nursing can improve care quality in areas like monitoring, documentation, and patient education. However, results vary widely. Benefits are strongest when virtual teams are fully integrated, communication is clear, and technology is reliable. Without these, care quality improvements remain limited or inconsistent.
Successful programs rely on clear role definitions, strong bedside staffing, reliable technology, and proper training for both virtual and in-person teams. Continuous evaluation of outcomes like safety, efficiency, and patient satisfaction ensures the model supports—not disrupts—daily clinical workflow.
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