Honors College Theses

Publication Date

2026

Major

Nursing (BSN)

Release Option

Open Access

Faculty Mentor

Jessica Miller

Abstract

Telehealth has evolved into an essential component of healthcare delivery in today's world, something that occurred alongside the COVID-19 pandemic. As healthcare professionals, nurses must be adequately prepared and equipped to use the tools for telehealth. This paper examines the evolving role of nurses in telehealth by assessing undergraduate nursing students’ and practicing nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceived competencies. Data will be collected through a Qualtrics survey utilizing the Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and Skills (AKAS) Scale for Telemedicine, supplemented by interviews with telehealth practitioners to provide qualitative context. It is expected that variations in proficiency and attitudes, from previous biased experiences, will align with differences in clinical exposure, educational level, and personal experiences. This study aims to identify and close gaps in telehealth education and knowledge within nursing education to enhance the preparedness of future nurses. Strengthening telehealth competencies is essential to expanding patient access, improving outcomes, and ensuring equitable healthcare delivery across diverse populations.

Thesis Summary

Here is a shorter version:

Summary

This study assesses undergraduate nursing students' awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to telehealth at Georgia Southern University's School of Nursing. Using the AKAS Scale for Telemedicine, data was collected from 21 nursing students across multiple cohorts on the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses. Results showed that students generally have strong awareness of telehealth concepts and positive attitudes toward its role in healthcare, but notable gaps remain in specialized knowledge and healthcare-specific technical skills. Students with prior healthcare experience and rural backgrounds consistently demonstrated stronger competency across all domains. The study concludes that nursing education programs would benefit from a more intentional, scaffolded approach to telehealth instruction to better prepare future nurses for an increasingly digital healthcare landscape.

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