Intermittent Virtual Nursing: A Contingency Staffing Plan to Support Clinical Nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing care models
• Healthcare delivery innovations
• Patient safety research

Background:

• Virtual nursing programs show promise for enhancing patient outcomes.
• Limited research exists on intermittent virtual nursing (IVN) care models.
• The need for flexible staffing solutions in healthcare is growing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an intermittent virtual nursing (IVN) model.
• To assess effects during periods of nursing staff shortages.
• To measure nurse job satisfaction and patient safety outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month nonrandomized quasi-experimental study.
• Conducted across 4 medical-surgical units in 2 hospitals.
• Virtual RNs (VRNs) were assigned during shifts with staffing deficits.

Main Results:

• Implementation of IVN led to improved outcomes.
• Decreased missed nurse breaks and incidental overtime.
• Increased provider notification of critical lab values to 99.25%.

Conclusions:

• Intermittent virtual nursing (IVN) positively impacts nurse perception of workflow.
• The IVN model enhances patient safety outcomes.
• VRN assignment is effective during nursing staff shortages.