During the pandemic, Atrium Health, part of Advocate Health’s southeastern U.S. care network, took the lead in introducing virtual nursing. This innovative approach addressed the national nursing shortage, improved patient-provider communication, and enhanced patient satisfaction with hospital care. The insights gained from those early implementations have continued to influence the practice of nursing today and will shape its future.
Several nursing leaders across Advocate Health have contributed to developing and reviewing exam questions now used to assess a nurse’s competency in virtual care. This process is essential for obtaining the new Certified Acute-Care Virtual Registered Nurse (CAVRN) certification, which is offered by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB), part of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN). Developing a new certification is a significant and lengthy undertaking, requiring months to complete.
“This group of Advocate Health nurses has been recognized as pioneers in virtual nursing, and their expertise is continually relied upon, including for creating the first-ever virtual nursing advanced certification,” said Patricia Mook, senior vice president of nursing operations, education, and professional development for Advocate Health. “Virtual nursing represents the future of our profession, and we are thrilled that our teams are leading the way in its development, both figuratively and literally.”
In Advocate Health’s hospitals, virtual nurses care for about 10 patients at a time. They monitor vital signs, handle admissions and discharges, and can call for in-person assistance when necessary. Additionally, their ability to continuously observe patients helps prevent falls, which patients appreciate as they feel a constant presence in the room.
The CAVRN certification evaluates the skills necessary to excel in this model of care, ensuring enhanced safety and quality for patients while allowing bedside nurses to focus on hands-on, compassionate care. It has also contributed to reduced labor costs, improved nurse retention during a challenging time for the profession, and fostered mentorship between experienced and newer nurses.
Atrium Health is equipping new and renovated hospital spaces with virtual nursing capabilities, part of a broader strategy involving more than 30 virtual programs aimed at delivering high-quality care in rural, urban, and suburban settings.
Currently, there are only 65 CAVRN-certified nurses nationwide, including 10 from Advocate Health.
