Telehealth across nursing education: Findings from a national study

J Prof Nurs. 2022 Sep-Oct:42:308-314. doi: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.07.013. Epub 2022 Aug 12.

Abstract

Background: The onset of COVID-19 perpetuated the necessity for nursing students to be telehealth savvy upon graduation. There is minimal research regarding the integration of telehealth in nursing curricula across multiple levels.

Purpose: The purpose of this survey study was to determine the current or future use of telehealth content and experiences in prelicensure and graduate nursing program curricula.

Methods: Following vetting, an adapted survey was sent to 386 nursing program or simulation directors in June 2020.

Findings: The survey had a 21 % (n = 82) response rate. Fifty-five percent of prelicensure and 40 % of graduate programs had no telehealth curricular content, while 22 % and 45 %, respectively, planned to integrate. The top barrier to integration was a lack of funds.

Discussion: Further research is needed to evaluate telehealth in nursing curricula. Due to many factors, the addition of telehealth curricula in nursing schools is inevitable.

Keywords: Curriculum; Graduate; Nursing students; Prelicensure; Simulation; Survey; Telehealth.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Curriculum
  • Education, Nursing*
  • Education, Nursing, Graduate*
  • Humans
  • Schools, Nursing
  • Students, Nursing*