Virtual Nursing Practice
Introduction
The Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses1 is the regulatory body for nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The mandate of the College is to protect the public through regulation of the nursing profession in accordance with the Nurses Act. This document articulates the practice expectations required of nurses participating in virtual nursing practice. For information related to licensure requirements when engaged in virtual nursing practice, please see the College’s Virtual Nursing Licensure Requirement document.
Definitions and Background
Virtual care includes the use of telecommunications technology, video conferencing, and on-line messaging, to deliver health care services at a distance.
Virtual care technologies are those forms of technology that allows ‘virtual’ interactions with health care professionals to occur in real time, from virtually any location. Services provided using virtual care technologies range from simple to complex. Examples of simple technologies may include telephone, text, messenger, or email, etc. Examples of complex technologies may include, but are not limited to, live, two-way audio/video conferencing or virtual visits, teleradiology, telerobotics, remote control surgical instrumentation.
Virtual Nursing Practice (VNP) encompasses all types of nursing care and services that are delivered across distances via virtual care technologies. Nursing care and services may include but are not limited to, education, counselling, assessment, initiation, and evaluation of treatment, and health care monitoring. VNP may encompass the totality of nursing services being provided (i.e., providing nursing services only via virtual care technologies) or VNP may be only one of many different modalities in which nursing services are being delivered (i.e., community clinic/hospital setting where face-to-face, as well as VNP services are offered).
Although ‘virtual’ care is not meant to replace traditional face-to-face care, sometimes, virtual care is the desired option, or the only option, especially for those who live in rural and remote areas where face-to-face visits are not available. Therefore, to provide optimal health care services and wellness opportunities in the best interest of clients, nurses are engaged with virtually connected health care environments.
Appropriateness of VNP
Nurses who engage in VNP must comply with their professional standards2, relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, and employer policies. VNP must be delivered in a manner that is in the best interest of the public ensuring the delivery of safe, competent, compassionate, and ethical nursing services.
Nursing is a reflective practice. Nurses need to reflect on their VNP to ensure that they are not unknowingly taking risks with their clients. Nurses must be aware of the risks of VNP and have a process in place to mitigate the risks. To help mitigate the risks, when engaging in VNP, nurses must reflect on the appropriateness of this method to deliver nursing services with respect to appropriate duty of care, appropriate technology, and appropriate employment support.
Page 1 of 10