October 11, 2024
Virtual nurses support team, patients at IU Health North
IU Health North Hospital
The 5C Medical-Surgical unit at IU Health North is utilizing technology for a new program. Virtual nurses assist patients and team members via iPads. The nurses split their time between physically working on the unit and working virtually.
The virtual nurse is also used as a scribe and can document and chart, freeing up time for bedside nurses.
“It allows the team the ability to have a dedicated resource that can devote time specifically to them and to the patient,” says Carrie Wing, regional chief nursing officer supporting IU Health North, Saxony and Tipton hospital. This is also a valuable tool for new nurses, who can turn to the virtual nurse if they have questions.
The virtual nurses help with a variety of tasks, including:
- Admission
- Discharge
- Scribing
- Pain reassessments
- Patient education
- Chart audits
- Review documentation
- CLABSI bundle audits
“I think that it's been a really big benefit to the integration of new graduate nurses onto the unit,” adds Sara Hendrickson, who managed the unit at the time the program began. “They have a support that no one else really before has had, so it gives them a little bit of freedom to create their own rhythm.”
Hospital leaders are gathering data on the program to expand it to other units.
If you are a nurse looking to join a team focused on providing you the resources you need to best care for your patients, visit careers.iuhealth.org to see open positions.
