The Rise of the Virtual Nurse

Healthcare organizations in the U.S. are facing immense pressure due to a rising demand for nurses coupled with a dwindling workforce. The aging baby boomer population poses unprecedented challenges, compounded by nurses themselves getting older, with a median age of 52, and approximately 4.7 million projected to retire by 2030. To cope with this shortage, healthcare systems are turning to virtual nursing solutions. Virtual nurses operate from remote centers, utilizing videoconferencing technology to interact with patients, address inquiries, and provide support. This approach eases the burden on bedside nurses by handling tasks that do not require physical proximity. The pandemic accelerated the growth of virtual nursing programs, with a 34 percent increase, and this trend is expected to continue.