Addressing Nurse Practitioner Telehealth Competency Gaps: A National Simulation Intervention

BACKGROUND: Many practicing nurse practitioners (NPs) entered the workforce before telehealth became mainstream, lacking formal training in jurisdictional practice requirements, state-specific regulations, and virtual examination techniques. PURPOSE: This simulation-based webinar addressed 5 critical telehealth competency gaps among practicing NPs: originating versus distant site distinctions, virtual physical examination adaptation, documentation requirements, controlled substances prescribing, and audio-only modality limitations. METHODS: A free webinar marketed nationally to advanced practice registered nurses featured faculty demonstrating a cross-state telehealth encounter using simulated patient methodology. Structured debriefing reinforced regulatory compliance and clinical decision-making. Participants completed postwebinar evaluations. RESULTS: Of the 208 attendees, 167 (80.3%) completed evaluations; 92.3% agreed learning objectives were met, and 89.9% found content immediately applicable to practice. Thematic analysis revealed enhanced confidence in virtual assessments and improved understanding of jurisdictional requirements. CONCLUSION: Simulation-based webinars provide a scalable model for addressing NP competency gaps with implications for continuing nursing education.