Fox Cities News

Carly Redman, a senior nursing student at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (UWO), is participating in telehealth training as part of her education. Telehealth appointments are becoming more common, providing a convenient alternative to traditional office visits.

The UWO nursing program has been equipping students with the necessary skills to connect with patients through telehealth, particularly benefiting those in less populated areas. Over the summer, 32 accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students completed modules and earned a telehealth "badge." Seven students conducted home visits and provided telehealth education to community members.

This fall, the program extended its telehealth education to Traditional BSN senior students. Debbie Walrath, a clinical associate professor and curriculum design coordinator at UWO's College of Nursing, stated that the project aims "to reduce barriers to accessing health care in rural Wisconsin by providing residents with a well-prepared nursing workforce to meet their telehealth needs." The initiative involves an academic-practice partnership between UWO College of Nursing and ThedaCare.

Leah Wicklund, a Senior 1 nursing student from Rockton, Illinois, emphasized the benefits of her telehealth training for her future career. She described learning about patients' health backgrounds and preferences while educating them on using telehealth services. Wicklund recounted helping one patient set up an account with his healthcare organization online.

Telehealth gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as an effective remote appointment option. UWO has consistently produced nurses equipped with skills relevant to modern healthcare environments.

Wicklund plans to graduate in spring 2025 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and aims to become a certified nurse midwife. She believes her experience at UWO will enhance her ability to provide patient care throughout her career.

"I have gained more confidence speaking with patients outside of the hospital setting," she noted, highlighting how this experience has improved her active listening skills.