TX Hospital Rolls Out 24/7 Virtual Nurse Program to Support Bedside Nurses
- A Texas hospital launched a 24/7 virtual nurse program to support bedside teams.
- Virtual nurses assist with documentation, education, and patient communication.
- The program aims to reduce workload strain and improve patient engagement.
St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital in Lufkin, Texas, has launched a 24/7 virtual nursing initiative designed to support bedside teams and enhance patient care. The Virtually Integrated Care (VIC) program integrates remote registered nurses into select hospital units to assist with administrative tasks, patient education, and communication.
Hospital leaders say the program is intended to ease workload pressures while maintaining a strong focus on direct patient care.
How the Virtual Nurse Program Works
The Virtually Integrated Care program allows virtual nurses to assist with documentation, patient education, purposeful rounding, and family communication through secure video calls. Patients can connect with a virtual nurse for non-urgent needs, allowing bedside nurses to focus on direct care such as medication administration and clinical interventions.
According to reports, when a patient presses the call button, a virtual nurse can respond immediately, even if the bedside nurse is assisting another patient.
The program also provides overnight availability. Patients who are unable to sleep may request conversation, and out-of-state family members can connect through video support.
Cindy Garcia, RN, K-5 Nurse Manager at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital, helped bring the Virtually Integrated Care program to life. She said the initiative highlights the importance of patient education for both patients and care teams. “We’re going to see how important educating our patients is, not only for the patient, but for us also,” Garcia said.
Garcia added that she worked closely with hospital leadership who wanted to “make a difference in the role of the bedside nurse.”
By redistributing administrative responsibilities, hospital leaders say bedside nurses may have more time to focus on hands-on patient care.
Addressing Workload and Burnout
Healthcare leaders across the country continue exploring strategies to improve workflow efficiency and reduce burnout. The Virtually Integrated Care model represents one approach aimed at balancing documentation demands with bedside responsibilities.
Laura Barker, South Region Director at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital, said that nursing roles have continued to evolve in recent years.
Barker added, “So nursing is changing. We have seen that since COVID. We want to unburden the bedside staff, give them the time back with the patients and the families to show that compassion and that empathy and be able to complete tasks.” Leaders say the additional virtual check-ins are designed to increase patient engagement and support.
Virtual care nurse Leigha Lines said “We’re just really another layer of support for them. So not only do they have their primary nurses and bedside team coming in, but then they have us coming in to check on them even more so they feel more seen, more heard.”
Creating New Career Pathways for Nurses
In addition to supporting bedside teams, the program introduces an alternative work model for experienced nurses. Virtual nursing roles allow RNs to remain clinically involved while reducing the physical demands associated with traditional bedside care.
Lines described the virtual role as “a wonderful career for maybe nurses that have been in bedside for a really long time and they’re ready to get off their feet a little bit but not retire.”
A Growing Trend in Healthcare
St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital is not alone in exploring virtual nursing models. Other Texas health systems, including United Regional Healthcare System, have reported implementing similar virtual nursing initiatives aimed at improving workflow efficiency.
The Virtually Integrated Care program at St. Luke’s is currently available in select units. Hospital leadership has indicated plans to expand the model hospital-wide.
As hospitals continue evaluating staffing challenges and workflow demands, virtual nursing programs represent one approach to integrating technology into care delivery while maintaining clinical standards and patient safety.
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