Rise of the Virtual Nurse

Abstract

As the process of providing health care becomes increasingly complex and the foundation of the nursing profession changes, nursing leaders will need to think differently about how to support their colleagues more efficiently and effectively. The role of the virtual nurse is expanding as part of the effort to address these complexities and develop innovative solutions. Although more work is necessary to define best practices in the variations of virtual nursing, current examples have had a positive impact on nursing and patient care. This article describes the ways in which virtual nursing has grown over the years and how it continues to adapt to support the nursing profession.