Q. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic I will be providing virtual care to clients whenever possible. What should I consider when doing this?
A. The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the health care system and as it continues, there will be increased pressure on those working in direct care to provide care in unusual situations and innovative ways. NSCN recognizes these are extraordinary times and expects all nurses to practice within the scope of their practice and expertise and act in the best interest of clients. The adoption of virtual or telemedicine care will be required in the days and weeks ahead. NSCN supports nurses providing care to clients through technology.
NSCN developed Telenursing Guidelines in 2019 to support nurses since telenursing, also known as virtual care, changes how nurses deliver professional nursing services. These guidelines are applicable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While telenursing may change how you conduct your nursing practice, it does not change the requirement to meet your standards of practice or work within your scope of practice. Effective communication is essential in establishing all nurse-client relationships, but this is particularly crucial when using technology. In addition, whether the nurse-client relationship is developed in-person or through technology, you are required to develop, maintain and end therapeutic relationships in accordance with your standards of practice.
If you are providing nursing services using technology, you must:
- Use the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, evaluate and document nursing care.
- Collaborate with members of the nursing and care team as needed. This may be required more frequently.
- Make care decisions based on the data available to you at the time and in the context in which it is provided.
- Provide services that are consistent with your scope of nursing practice, your individual competencies and your employer’s expectations.
- Confirm with your employer their expectations of your role in this care model and follow employer processes. In particular, you should be aware of processes and/or risk mitigation plans related to:
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Documentation
- Security and approved type of technology or other required equipment
- IT support
- Informed consent
If you are employed in Nova Scotia and providing nursing services using technology to clients outside of Nova Scotia, you:
- Must hold a practising licence with NSCN
- Are accountable to know what policies or legislation may apply to you in the jurisdiction where your clients reside. Different polices and legislation may affect telenursing in other jurisdictions. You may also be required to be licensed in that jurisdiction.
- Must confirm that a prescriber residing in another province is licensed and authorized to prescribe before enacting any order.
