Healthcare organizations see measurable gains in efficiency and nurse retention while reducing costs and making patients happier.
A recent case study demonstrates how two healthcare organizations are advancing patient care with virtual nursing.
In 2024, Advocate Health saved more than 43,000 hours across 25 hospitals, and patient experience scores increased across units by as much as 80%. Reduced nursing turnover led to cost avoidance of $6.3 million, with virtual nursing as a contributor to improved staff retention. WellSpan Health saved bedside nurses 4,300 hours across 8 hospitals, and one hospital reported an 8% decrease in nurse turnover.
In the virtual nursing programs at both organizations, nurses rotate between virtual and bedside roles within the same unit, maintaining continuity of care. Virtual team members contribute to key functions—including admission and discharge education, pain assessments, and patient screenings—while bedside nurses focus on tasks that require in-person delivery.
“Virtual nursing helps bedside nurses stay focused on hands-on patient care, while giving experienced nurses new ways to support the team,” said Corey Miller, VP of Research and Development at Epic. “With in-room video and tools like Secure Chat, care teams stay connected and coordinated—no matter where they’re working.”
Staff report improved shift handoffs and familiarity with patients, and patients have responded positively to the consistent presence of care team members. Both organizations have also noted improvements to the patient discharge process—helping to get patients to the comfort of their homes sooner.
Advocate Health and WellSpan Health are expanding their programs to deliver these benefits to more clinicians and patients. The March 2025 case study is available on EpicShare—a place for healthcare organizations to share their experiences and gain insights for continuous improvement.
