26/05/2022
Over the last few months I've had the pleasure of mostly transitioning away from bedside nursing into a new role as a virtual critical care provider. Sometimes noted as an eRN, teleRN, or VCC (virtual critical care nurse), critical care nurses with at least 3-5 years of ICU experience specialize to monitor & manage virtually, along side bedside RN's & other members of the interdisciplinary team, the health of our most critical clientele. This technology consists of high quality computer monitors & equipment with two-way audio & video cameras mounted in each ICU room. While it has been noted that the shortage of intensivists nationwide, especially now during the pandemic, has widely exacerbated the challenges of overwhelmed, understaffed and often, undersupplied, ICU's across the nation, Tele-ICU allows 24/7 access to a team of intensivists & eRN's in a remote healthcare center which allow the benefits of using technology to predict patient trends & outcomes, thus resulting in prompt reduction in patient complications. It also allows the ability to run codes, order & interpret life saving test in real-time, and gives the ability to expand critical healthcare access to remote areas.
Making the switch from bedside nursing can be a real challenge for nurses who are used to having a more hands-on approach. For some, it may take several months to adjust to working in an office setting. Refining communication skills to deliver pertinent information to colleagues at the clinical setting is a must as it may be difficult to define boundaries & how far to intervene on behalf of the patient. In the reverse, a more positive outcome of working in eICU is the appreciation for reduced exposure to injury & illnesses resulting from direct bedside care & also the added ability to still be able to use years of curated critical thinking skills.
Healthcare & technology together, continue to offer innovative & flexible ways for patients to seek & recieve care. This shift in healthcare delivery offers healthcare professionals options to extend the length of their careers as well as to protect & preserve their own health, in turn greatly reducing the outcome of professional burnout.
