Virtual Nursing: What to Expect on Your Next Visit to the Hospital

Virtual health care options have exploded in recent years, thanks in part to the dramatic care needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Technology has helped patients and providers remain connected in critical moments, and, at FirstHealth, it has allowed the system to deliver on its core purpose – To Care for People – in new ways.

FirstHealth added an observation at-home unit to help sick patients recover outside our hospital walls and increased access to virtual primary care and virtual behavioral health. FirstHealth On the Go serves as urgent care on the go, meaning patients can see a provider and get access to prescription treatments from the comfort of their couch.

Our Next Innovation

In early 2024, FirstHealth introduced a virtual care model for nurses in two patient care departments at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

The goals of the care the system provides have not changed, but the delivery of that care has been streamlined by technology.

Patients and families receiving care on both the medical neurology and observation units are receiving this enhanced care through a partnership with a virtual nurse and and a FirstHealth nurse who work together 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

FirstHealth’s Virtual Nursing model includes virtual nursing and virtual safety companions, experienced R.N.s and LPNs who support the FirstHealth nursing team in care using a dual-stream camera, built-in audio and microphones for direct communication with patients and the health care team.

This is accomplished through televisions mounted in patient rooms as well as computer-based applications. This program has been developed in partnership with Banyan Virtual Care Technology.

“We are thrilled to bring virtual nursing to life at Moore Regional Hospital,” said Jacklynn Lesniak, DNP, MSN, R.N., NEA-BC, FirstHealth’s chief nursing officer.

“This transformative work truly creates magic for our nurses, patients and families, and there is no doubt this innovation will help us in serving our community and delivering on our core purpose –To Care for People.”

Attracting Top Talent

While there is no doubt that the growth of virtual nursing will help FirstHealth better serve its patients, the new program is also a win for nurses as the system looks to build and maintain a compassionate, competent and innovative nursing team.

Virtual care teams can help reduce burnout and turnover, fill staffing gaps and provide additional coverage for patients. Lesniak said the introduction of virtual nursing can serve FirstHealth as a recruitment tool to bring the best nurses to Moore Regional Hospital and to retain the great nurses we have.

“FirstHealth’s nurses are the backbone of our care teams, and we are committed to investing in the way we deliver care and support our care teams,” Lesniak said.

"FirstHealth continually strives to maintain and enhance opportunities for professional growth, development and support in nursing. Our professional practice model is relationship-based care with the patient at the center of everything we do. It is based on our core values of care: collaboration, advocacy, research, evidence-based practice and excellence in nursing. I know that virtual nursing is the future of care delivery and will be a win for our patients and nurses."