Virtual care has reshaped how nurses do their jobs. Today, registered nurses (RNs) use video platforms, messaging apps and remote monitoring devices to assess and support patients they may never meet in person. That shift is here to stay — and it demands new skills, specific training and fresh approaches to nursing education.
Millersville University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Nursing Education program prepares nurses for teaching roles in a range of settings, including academia and healthcare organizations. Graduates go on to design curricula, lead professional development programs and help nurses at every stage of their career navigate the demands of modern practice, including telehealth nursing.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 95% of HRSA-funded health centers used telehealth to deliver primary care in 2024. Virtual care is no longer a supplement to in-person services — it is a core part of patient care across settings ranging from ambulatory care clinics to home health programs.
What Skills Do Nurses Need for Telehealth?
The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) describes telehealth nursing practice as an integral component of ambulatory care. Telehealth RNs use digital tools — from mobile apps to video conferencing platforms — to assess patients, manage chronic conditions and coordinate care across settings. The skills required are both clinical and technical.
One key shift in telehealth nursing is learning to connect with patients through a screen. Nurses call this the “webside manner,” the virtual equivalent of bedside manner. It involves clear communication, active listening and empathy that still comes through without physical contact. Details matter: stable lighting, clear audio and verifying patient identity at the start of every visit all shape how safe and supported a patient feels during a virtual encounter.
Nurses in telehealth settings work with a range of communication formats. Asynchronous care lets patients and providers exchange information at their own pace through secure portals, messaging apps or email. Synchronous care involves real-time encounters through phone or video. Both formats require nurses to adapt their approach to the platform and to the patient.
Remote patient monitoring is a rapidly growing area of telehealth nursing. Connected devices — such as blood pressure cuffs, glucose meters, and cardiac monitors — transmit health data from a patient’s home directly to clinical teams. Telehealth RNs review that data, identify changes in a patient’s condition, and coordinate follow-up care, often before a problem becomes urgent.
Telehealth nursing also comes with distinct legal and ethical duties. Nurses practicing virtually must understand consent requirements, privacy protections and licensing rules that can differ by state. They are also responsible for documenting virtual encounters with the same rigor as in-person visits, and for knowing when a patient’s condition requires escalation to in-person care.
Patient education is another essential skill. According to a 2021 article in the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN), “the value of telehealth … is increased when the care is provided by a skilled, empathetic nurse prepared to deliver nursing care through technologies.” Nurses who explain conditions clearly, motivate patients to follow care plans and build trust through a screen deliver outcomes that rival those of in-person care.
How Can Nurse Educators Prepare Students for Telehealth?
In 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that employment for registered nurses will grow 5% through 2034, with roughly 189,100 openings expected each year. As telehealth becomes more common, the nurses filling those roles need solid digital care training from the start.
That responsibility falls squarely on nurse educators. Nursing faculty and professional development coordinators must weave telehealth content throughout their nursing curriculum. This means building learning experiences that reflect how care is actually delivered today — not only in hospital wards. Simulation tools, virtual patient encounters and case studies built around digital care scenarios give students the practice they need before they enter real clinical settings.
OJIN outlines a four-phase training framework known as the Four P’s of telehealth education. This model gives nurse educators a clear structure for integrating telehealth across courses:
- Planning: Students examine the legal and regulatory aspects of telehealth, identify which patients and settings are best suited to virtual care and explore potential delivery models and barriers.
- Preparing: Nurses learn telehealth etiquette, including how to obtain patient consent, use different platforms and set up a professional virtual environment.
- Providing: Students practice delivering care through telehealth with a focus on patient coaching, motivational interviewing, troubleshooting and care coordination.
- Performance Evaluation: Nurses review collected data and assess how their telehealth services affect care quality, costs and patient outcomes.
This framework applies in both academic programs and employer-led professional development settings. Nurse educators who build on each phase prepare students to meet the full scope of virtual patient care with skill and confidence.
Telehealth education also requires nurse educators to address the legal and ethical aspects of digital care. Since state licensing requirements for telehealth vary, nurses must understand scope-of-practice rules when caring for patients across state lines. Educators who weave these regulatory concepts into coursework ensure graduates enter practice informed and prepared to navigate real-world compliance challenges.
Become an In-Demand Nurse Educator With an Online MSN From Millersville University
A 2024 study published in the Journal of Nursing Regulation found that telehealth use varies widely across nursing specialties and care settings. Nurses in rural areas, home health and ambulatory care rely on virtual care at especially high rates. Educators who understand those patterns can design targeted instruction that prepares students for the specific roles and settings they will enter.
Students in Millersville University’s online MSN – Nursing Education program — which is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) — graduate ready to equip colleagues with the skills and training they need to thrive in today’s technology-driven era of healthcare. Graduates complete the program ready to sit for NLN certification exams, including the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam.
Learn more about Millersville University’s online MSN – Nursing Education program.
About Millersville University’s Online MSN – Nursing Education Program
Millersville University’s online MSN – Nursing Education program is designed for registered nurses who want to shape the future of the profession in academic and professional development settings. Through 100% online coursework and in-person practicum experiences, students gain expertise in curriculum design, instructional methods, measurement and evaluation and the use of technology in nursing education. Students complete the program qualified for a range of in-demand roles, including clinical nurse educator, continuing education specialist, nursing professional development coordinator and nursing faculty member.
The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) and prepares graduates to sit for NLN certification exams, including the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). At 37 credit hours, the program can be completed online on a flexible schedule in as few as 12 months, making it an efficient path for nurses ready to lead the next generation of the profession.
