Rutgers School of Nursing is launching a curriculum that embeds virtual care workflows into its training program. The approach lets future nurses support bedside teams from a distance, flagging fall risks, spotting patient deterioration, and alerting onsite staff when intervention is required. By embedding these tools early, the school hopes to prepare nurses for the evolving demands of modern health care.
“It’s a tool that should be looked at as something nurses can depend on for supplementing their care, adding additional layers of safety and quality,” says Starkweather, the program director.
Preparing students now aligns their skills with the growing reliance on remote monitoring in hospitals. As health systems seek to extend care beyond physical walls, graduates who can use digital interfaces will meet emerging staffing models.
The curriculum stresses clear communication with remote colleagues and the ability to decide when to escalate concerns. Learners must also guide patients and families through cameras or sensors, addressing privacy, confidentiality and ethical considerations while troubleshooting technical glitches.
Caregility is supplying seven wall-mounted stations equipped with high-zoom cameras, microphones, speakers, infrared lighting and video monitors. The hardware pairs with clinical applications and software, and the partnership includes technical instruction for the nursing cohort.
Simulation labs let trainees practice virtual workflows without endangering patients. For instance, a learner can assess a wound, broadcast the image to a remote caregiver and walk through discharge instructions, Starkweather notes. The scenario-based learning encourages critical thinking and rapid decision-making under virtual supervision.
Rutgers will assess participants during these scenarios, provide feedback and require repeat attempts until required competencies are demonstrated. Confidence with the tools is tracked, and the school also links performance to clinical outcomes. Performance data will be reviewed by faculty to identify areas for curriculum improvement.
Metrics such as falls prevented, early interventions for deteriorating patients, patient satisfaction and cross-location coordination will gauge whether virtual care improves safety and quality. “We are gearing up the program to use those metrics and improve care every single day as they’re going forward,” the director says.
