Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) in New Jersey is reshaping traditional nursing workflows through the implementation of virtual nursing. At a time when healthcare systems are under growing pressure to improve operational efficiency and staff satisfaction, HMH has taken a proactive step towards addressing these challenges. By incorporating remote nursing support into its clinical teams, the organisation is enabling bedside nurses to focus more on patient care while remote nurses manage documentation and routine tasks. This innovative model is enhancing both patient experiences and nursing engagement, demonstrating how digital tools can be effectively integrated into everyday hospital operations.
Enabling Nurses to Prioritise Direct Care
The core value of HMH’s virtual nursing model lies in its ability to reduce administrative burdens on bedside staff. Frontline nurses are often overwhelmed by the volume of documentation and routine procedures required during a patient’s stay. By shifting responsibilities such as vital signs monitoring, discharge coordination and electronic documentation to virtual nurses, the health system is creating space for bedside nurses to dedicate more time to high-acuity patients and complex care needs.
This reallocation of tasks not only improves workflow efficiency but also contributes to a more meaningful patient-caregiver interaction. Patients benefit from increased attention and responsiveness, while nurses are supported to work at the top of their licence. Early observations indicate that this approach is streamlining discharges, enhancing in-unit time management and supporting coordinated care planning. These efficiencies collectively help deliver more timely, personalised care, which is central to improving overall hospital performance.
A Scalable and Integrated Care Model
What distinguishes HMH’s virtual nursing programme is the commitment to scale and system-wide integration. From the outset, executive leadership supported the initiative with the goal of embedding it into multiple clinical units. Working in collaboration with technology partners, the organisation designed a solution that could be aligned with existing clinical infrastructure such as electronic health records and patient monitoring systems.
Virtual nurses—qualified registered professionals working remotely—are now integrated directly into the clinical workflow. They contribute in real time through secure video consultations and digital tools, participating actively in patient management. Tasks such as documentation, monitoring and discharge planning are carried out remotely but synchronised with bedside activities, creating a collaborative environment that spans physical and digital spaces.
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In the near future, HMH plans to incorporate artificial intelligence tools into the virtual nursing model. These technologies are expected to enhance decision-making and streamline communication between virtual and in-person teams. As the demand for more efficient and responsive care models increases, this combination of skilled professionals and smart technology positions the health system to adapt effectively.
Focusing on Change Management for Sustainable Impact
While the technological integration is important, the long-term success of virtual nursing depends on thoughtful change management. HMH recognises that introducing a new model of care impacts both culture and workflow. As part of the rollout, the organisation prioritised training and support for both virtual and bedside nurses. Remote nurses were introduced to the institution’s clinical standards and culture, while on-site teams received education on how to collaborate effectively with their new partners in care.
This dual preparation helps ensure that virtual nursing is seen not as a threat or replacement, but as an enhancement to existing practices. Nurses across the system have reported greater satisfaction as they are able to concentrate on clinical priorities without being weighed down by non-clinical tasks. The programme has already begun to demonstrate its value through reduced discharge times and increased throughput across units.
Looking ahead, HMH plans to track metrics related to team member retention, vacancy rates and patient satisfaction scores. The early signs are promising, with patients responding positively to the more personalised support and the attentiveness that bedside staff can now offer.
Hackensack Meridian Health’s virtual nursing programme offers a compelling vision for modern nursing care. By thoughtfully integrating remote nursing support into hospital operations, the health system has created a more efficient, scalable and patient-centred model. This approach empowers nurses to focus on their core responsibilities, while patients benefit from enhanced attention and smoother transitions through their care journey. With strategic leadership, robust training and future-facing technology, HMH is demonstrating how virtual nursing can become a sustainable and valuable part of healthcare delivery.
Source: Healthcare IT News
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