Innovation is at the heart of exceptional patient care. At Texas Children’s Hospital, groundbreaking advances and opportunities for nurses continue to shape the future of healthcare and elevate the standard of care for every patient.
As a long time nurse in the NICU at Texas Children’s, Annie Marsella knows how important it is to give nurses what they need in order to best serve their patients and their families. “Working at the largest NICU in the nation, one of our asks has always been – can we have more help?” Help for nurses has taken many forms at Texas Children’s, including the innovation of virtual nursing.
Texas Children’s Hospital is revolutionizing nursing through innovation and opportunity
There’s this career growth opportunity, because they know in 3-5 years if they feel confident in their critical thinking and interpersonal skills, they can become a virtual nurse.”
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By Monica Vanover on April 25, 2025
Sponsored by Texas Children's Hospital
- Annie Marsella, NICU Nurse at Texas Children’s
Frontline nurses at Texas Children's are at the forefront of developing and leading innovative strategies to enhance care for all their patients. But it’s not just the technological advancements that make working as a nurse at Texas Children’s so rewarding. Nurses have access to professional development opportunities to grow their knowledge and expand their skill set.
McGee is currently taking a pediatric life support class in hopes of earning a certification and expanding her career prospects. She is also pursuing becoming a preceptor, hoping to mentor and guide new nurses as they transition into clinical practice. Down the line, she may pursue a leadership role as a charge nurse, with greater responsibility in coordinating patient care and supporting her team.
“It helps so much with patient care and inclusivity,” says McGee. “I find that some families are hesitant to ask questions, but I want them to feel comfortable asking me anything. I want to understand them.”
Blair McGee
Pediatric Nurse in Acute Care at Texas Children’s
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Nurses can now video conference with patients and caregivers, improving communication and enhancing efficiency for the entire care team. Parents are even provided tablets so that they can have instant access to their child’s care team, no matter where they are. And healthcare charts are all electronic, so patients and their families can keep tabs on treatment plans, test results, and overall progress in real time.
As the number one pediatric hospital in the state, Texas Children’s often cares for newborns from Texas, the U.S., or from overseas. While parents may not always be able to be at their baby’s bedside, virtual nursing allows them to stay instantly connected with the care team and closely follow their baby’s progress. Additionally, parents are now able to view a 24/7 live feed camera of their babies, an innovation delivered by AngelEye Health.
“At Texas Children’s, the opportunities for support and growth in the field of nursing are endless,” says Jackie Ward, System Chief Nurse Executive at Texas Children’s. With cutting-edge innovations, strong mentorship, and a focus on continuous learning, nurses are empowered to thrive, leading to better care, stronger connections, and improved outcomes for patients and families alike.
To learn more about Texas Children’s or their nursing program, visit their website at texaschildrens.org.
NICU Nurse at Texas Children’s
Annie Marsella
For Blair McGee, a pediatric nurse in Acute Care at Texas Children’s, the chance to improve people’s lives has made nursing not only a career but a passion. “I always loved children and helping people, so I combined both of those and became a pediatric nurse.” says McGee.
Being able to effectively communicate with her patients and their parents regardless of whether they speak English, is paramount to being able to provide the very best care. This is why Texas Children’s equips its nurses with translators, enabling instant communication with patients.
System Chief Nurse Executive at Texas Children’s
Jackie Ward
Pediatric Nurse in Acute Care at Texas Children’s
Blair McGee
These advancements have the power to streamline the care team's workflow, allowing nurses at the bedside to dedicate more time to patient care while improving communication with families via the addition of the virtual nurse. The results speak for themselves with metrics demonstrating that a baby’s length of stay is 30% shorter when parents are able to have access to a virtual nurse. Readmission rates are also much lower.
The nurses benefit too. “Bedside nurses are feeling acknowledged,” says Marsella, adding that many of them look forward to the opportunity to become virtual nurses one day.