The Tools, Connections, and Frameworks for Scalable, Data-Driven Virtual Nursing Models

Expanding on ATA’s highly acclaimed Insights Summit, this workshop provides an in-depth exploration of virtual nursing models, focusing on integration strategies, workforce sustainability, and AI-driven innovations that are reshaping care delivery and operational efficiency.

Participants will engage with leading experts, industry pioneers, and health system executives to:

• Identify best practices for launching and scaling virtual nursing programs.
• Address organizational, financial, and technological challenges in implementation.
• Explore emerging AI and automation applications to enhance workflows and clinical decision-making.

Dates and Times

• Date and Time: Saturday, May 3 | 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm CT
• Working Breakfast: Monday, May 4 | 7:30 am to 8:40 am CT
• Working Lunch: Monday, May 4 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm CT

NOTE: The workshop takes place on the first day of NEXUS 2025. To register, select the Virtual Nursing Workshop during the NEXUS registration. 

ATA’s Virtual Nursing efforts are led by Murielle Beene, DNP, MBA, MS-IT, RN, PMP, CPHIMS, FAAN, Chair of the Virtual Nursing Workshop and Chief Health Informatics Officer at Trinity Health, a national leader in health IT, digital transformation, and clinical innovation.

Dr. Beene is joined by a distinguished group of experts in virtual nursing, clinical transformation, and digital health innovation, representing leading health systems, academic institutions, and consulting organizations.

Julie Miller, BSN, RN, CCRN-K
Clinical Practice Specialist, Practice Excellence, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)

Denise Pimentel, RN, MN, MS, CCRN-K
System Manager, Clinical, CommonSpirit Telehealth Network

Teresa Rincon, PhD, RN, FCCM
Assistant Professor, Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, UMass Chan Medical School; Telehealth Senior Consultant, Blue Cirrusk

Melinda Stretzinger, RN, CCRN
Manager, Critical Care Telemedicine & Virtual Nursing, Ochsner Health

This leadership team brings extensive experience implementing, scaling, and optimizing virtual nursing programs, ensuring attendees gain insights from real-world success stories across diverse healthcare settings.

Virtual Nursing Workshop & Insights Program

Virtual Nursing in Action: Building Scalable, Data-Driven Programs for Impact & ROI

As virtual nursing evolves, health systems must establish clear goals, standardized metrics, and sustainable implementation strategies to ensure long-term success. This session provides a deep dive into ROI, clinical impact, and overcoming operational barriers, offering a roadmap for scaling virtual nursing.

Key Discussion Areas:

• Defining Virtual Nursing – Establishing a standardized, evidence-based definition aligned with best practices.
• National Metrics & ROI – Measuring impact through length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, HCAHPS scores, and nurse satisfaction.
• Data Strategy & Utilization – Extracting actionable insights from virtual nursing workflows, including throughput, efficiency, and clinical “great catches.”
• EHR & Workflow Optimization – Ensuring seamless integration, avoiding redundancies, and improving interoperability.
• Building a Sustainable Model – Addressing staffing models, labor calculations, and workforce well-being.
• Benchmarking Success – Defining key metrics to measure effectiveness and scalability.

Takeaways:

• Actionable guidance on building or expanding a virtual nursing program.
• Key evaluation criteria for success beyond financial ROI.
• Insights into data and workforce optimization strategies.

Speaker: Amy Hassell, RN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer, UCHealth Virtual Health Center

Optimizing Workforce Strategies: Virtual Nursing Labor Calculations for Efficiency & Sustainability

Accurate labor calculations are essential for designing scalable and sustainable virtual nursing programs. This keynote fireside chat explores the critical factors in staffing models, balancing workload distribution, and optimizing efficiency to reduce clinician burnout while ensuring financial sustainability.

Key Insights

• Essential labor metrics for measuring virtual nursing program success.
• Workforce modeling strategies to balance virtual and bedside nursing roles.
• Lessons learned from real-world virtual nursing staffing implementation at Providence.

Speaker: Cynthia Salisbury, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, CPPS, Executive Director, Nursing Operations, Providence

Duke Health System Spotlight: Scaling Virtual Nursing & Next-Generation Virtual Care

Duke University Health System (DUHS) has emerged as a global leader in virtual nursing and telehealth innovation. Through its Virtual Care Center, Duke has implemented Virtual Nursing, Virtual Sitting, and Virtual Clinics, producing measurable clinical, operational, and financial outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

• Virtual Nursing Success – How Duke’s scalable model is tackling nursing shortages, reducing burnout, and improving patient outcomes.
• Proven ROI & Data-Driven Insights – Analytics, AI, and workforce modeling strategies driving measurable improvements.
• Global Recognition & Scalability – Why international health systems look to Duke as a model for virtual care at scale.
• Seamless Technology Integration – Leveraging Epic workflows, automation, and AI-powered insights.

Speakers:

• Donna Phinney, Director Duke Telehealth Office, Duke University Health System
• Blake Cameron, MD, MBI, Medical Director for Telehealth and Access Innovation, 
  Duke University School of Medicine
• Storm Ness Patton, MMCi, BSN, RN, Nursing Informatics Systems Specialist/ Strategic Associate, Duke University Health System
• Joanna Cavalier, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Duke University Hospital

Scaling Virtual Nursing: Strategies for Growth, Integration & Organizational Buy-In

Expanding virtual nursing from a single unit to a system-wide initiative requires overcoming resistance from leadership and frontline staff, ensuring technology integration, and aligning policy and reimbursement models.

Key Discussion Areas:

• Strategies for scaling virtual nursing across multiple hospitals.
• Gaining organizational buy-in from leadership, specialists, and bedside teams.
• Technology integration for hospital-based and home-based virtual care models.
• Utilizing the EHR as a central hub to streamline workflows and data exchange.
• Policy & Payer Alignment – Navigating regulatory challenges and reimbursement models.
• Change Management Strategies – Building a culture of innovation and workforce engagement.

Industry Panel: The Future of AI in Virtual Nursing

AI is transforming virtual nursing—enhancing clinical workflows, decision-making, and automation. This interactive panel discussion will explore best practices for AI adoption and its impact on patient care.

Key Insights:

• Best practices for AI integration in clinical workflows.
• Automation in nursing – Reducing documentation burden and enhancing decision support.
• Future of AI-driven nursing models – The role of predictive analytics, ambient AI, and machine learning.

Optimizing AI in Virtual Nursing: Practical Strategies & Real-World Applications

From AI-enhanced documentation to predictive analytics, this session explores best practices for AI integration into virtual nursing workflows.

Discussion Topics:

• How AI supports clinical decision-making and workflow efficiency.
• Ambient AI for real-time dictation and documentation.
• Wearable technology for real-time patient monitoring.
• Leveraging AI for continuous learning and workforce adaptation.

• Teresa Rincon, PhD, RN, FCCM, Assistant Professor, Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, UMass Chan Medical School; Telehealth Senior Consultant, Blue Cirrus
• Elliott Wilson, Principal, Flying Pig Consulting
• Ankit Sakhuja, MBBS, MS, Associate Professor, Division of Data Driven and Digital Medicine, Department of Medicine and Institute for Critical Care Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Mt. Sinai

Industry Fireside Chat

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

• Workforce challenges & AI integration – Strategies for maintaining engagement and productivity.
• Overcoming infrastructure barriers – Addressing hardware, security, and data governance concerns.
• Aligning stakeholders – Ensuring clinician buy-in and leadership support.
• Actionable insights – Turning strategies into tangible initiatives for health systems.

Additional Information