Virtual Admit Nursing Goes Live at AdventHealth Castle Rock

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — AdventHealth Castle Rock has launched Virtual Admit Nursing, a nursing-led care model in which trained virtual nurses complete or assist with inpatient admissions, allowing bedside nurses to focus on hands-on patient care.

The hospital is serving as the pilot site for both the Rocky Mountain Region and the AdventHealth system, made possible by the rollout of hellocare Smart Room technology in September 2025, to streamline admissions while enhancing the patient experience and supporting nursing practice.

According to Ellery Reed, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at AdventHealth Castle Rock, the launch aligns with broader advancements in care delivery.

“Virtual Admit Nursing allows bedside nurses to spend more time connecting with patients and providing hands-on care, while also creating more efficient workflows that help the care team meet patient needs more quickly and effectively,” Reed said.

Castle Rock’s 3N and 4N units were selected as the first inpatient units in the Rocky Mountain Region to implement the program after volunteering to serve as pilot units.

Sarah Zadigan, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing Services and Excellence at AdventHealth Castle Rock, emphasized the need to rethink the traditional admission process.

“Historically, bedside nurses completed the full admission process, which is time-intensive and can compete with direct patient care needs,” Zadigan said. “Virtual Admit Nursing enhances efficiency, supports nursing practice at the bedside, and improves the patient admission experience without losing the human connection that defines nursing care.”

With the program now live, a trained virtual nurse completes or assists with most admissions between 10 am and 10 pm, allowing bedside nurses to immediately focus on patient care.

“Instead of remaining at a computer, bedside nurses can begin implementing the treatment plan, preparing medications, addressing pain, and attending to other critical needs,” Reed noted. “This leads to more timely interventions and a smoother, more patient-centered admission experience.”

From the bedside perspective, the impact is meaningful.

“Getting an admit as a bedside nurse is more often than not a stressful part of our workflow,” said Samantha Strate, RN. Having an admission nurse eases that stress and gives you time back to focus on your patients or regroup so you can provide safe, high-quality care.”

Strate added that additional time improves patient connection.

“Even when we try to hide it, patients can feel when we’re rushed. More time allows us to slow down and focus on our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ, where human connection is vital.”

Virtual Admit Nursing aligns strongly with AdventHealth Castle Rock’s Magnet journey, supporting innovative nursing practice, shared decision-making, and workflows that allow nurses to work at the top of their license.

Looking ahead, the Virtual Admit Nursing program will be rolled out across the Rocky Mountain Region once processes are refined, with plans to expand the scope of virtual nursing services as the model scales.

Future-state development is ongoing, with a continued focus on leveraging the platform to enhance patient care and strengthen clinical support. Through this pilot, AdventHealth Castle Rock is helping shape the future of virtual nursing across the region and the system.