A new report from Wolters Kluwer highlights a clear shift in nursing workforce strategy, with chief nursing officers (CNOs) placing the highest hiring priority on virtual care roles in 2026. Based on a survey of 150 hospital and health system leaders, telehealth and virtual nursing positions are emerging as critical to care delivery and operational efficiency.
Top Nursing Roles in Demand for 2026
- Telehealth nurses (68%) – Focused on delivering real-time clinical care through audio and video consultations
- Virtual nurses (52%) – Supporting patient care remotely through digital platforms and monitoring technologies
- Internal float pool nurses (44%) – Providing flexible staffing across departments to manage demand fluctuations
- Home health nurse coordinators (40%) – Overseeing care transitions and coordinating services outside the hospital setting
What This Means for Healthcare Organizations
The growing emphasis on telehealth and virtual nursing reflects broader industry trends toward digital care delivery, staffing flexibility, and improved patient access. As workforce shortages persist, these roles offer scalable solutions that can help health systems maintain quality care while optimizing resources.
Healthcare leaders may benefit from reviewing the full report and related resources to better understand how to align hiring strategies with evolving care models and patient expectations.