HCA embraces work-from-home nurses, citing benefits
TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES — HCA Healthcare has ramped up its recruitment of work-from-home nurses after realizing its benefits.
HCA employs 40 virtual nurses
The Nashville-based health system currently employs around 40 virtual nurses with plans to hire more.
According to Sherri Hess, HCA’s Chief Nursing Informatics Officer, the move towards remote nursing offers numerous advantages.
“Brick and mortar cost a lot of money,” Hess stated, adding that the future lies in working from home.
Benefits for nurses and patients
The virtual nurses operate from the comfort of their homes, connecting with patients and hospital staff through video conferencing and other digital tools.
This arrangement has proven attractive to nurses seeking greater flexibility, especially those who have relocated or have family responsibilities that make traditional 12-hour shifts challenging.
The pandemic, which overflowed hospitals worldwide, has caused many healthcare professionals to leave the industry for good.
A compressed staff has resulted in underpaid and overstressed healthcare professionals. Some tend to multiple patients, which has negatively affected healthcare delivery.
Many hospitals have turned to virtual nursing to meet the growing demand for patients and alleviate nurses’ excessive workloads. Data from research and consulting firm ITIC reveals a 34% increase in hospitals using some form of virtual nursing.
HCA virtual nurse applications
HCA has been swamped with applications for these remote positions, reflecting the high demand among nurses.
Beyond cost savings, Hess highlighted other benefits, including the ability to hire nurses licensed across multiple states and improved work-life balance for the remote workforce.
“Many nurses have told me they prefer working from home,” Hess added, noting the reduced stress compared to long hours spent at a command center.
As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, HCA’s embrace of remote nursing could signal a broader shift towards more flexible and cost-effective models of care delivery.
