Story perspectives

Virtual Nursing Fails to Alleviate Hospital Staffing Crisis

12/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A study in JAMA Network Open finds virtual nursing does not reduce hospital staffing shortages.
Researchers surveyed 880 registered nurses across ten states, with 57% reporting no workload reduction and 10% reporting an increase.
Although 53% believed virtual nurses improved patient care quality, only 11% considered the improvement significant.
Lead researcher K. Jane Muir cautioned hospitals not to rely on virtual nursing, noting more bedside nurses correlate with better outcomes.

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Story summary

A study in JAMA Network Open finds virtual nursing does not reduce hospital staffing shortages.
Researchers surveyed 880 registered nurses across ten states, with 57% reporting no workload reduction and 10% reporting an increase.
Although 53% believed virtual nurses improved patient care quality, only 11% considered the improvement significant.
Lead researcher K. Jane Muir cautioned hospitals not to rely on virtual nursing, noting more bedside nurses correlate with better outcomes.