Telehealth Mental Health Clinical Experience for Prelicensure Nursing Students During COVID-19

Background: The use of an innovative approach for mental health interviews met unprecedented needs during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic for patients and staff at a community health clinic and provided nursing students with a telehealth activity that met patient care education requirements while practicing essential skills. Method:The nursing students and instructors worked collaboratively with the clinical team to call patients using an algorithm that incorporates screeners for depression, anxiety, and chronic disease distress. Results: Reports during daily debriefings and feedback obtained from evaluations were summarized by faculty and used to improve the activity. These reports indicated the experience was beneficial to students and clinic staff. Conclusion: Providers were able to follow up on vulnerable patients more quickly, students were able to practice essential nursing skills during a time when safety concerns limited direct patient interaction, and patients continued to feel connected to health care providers during a global pandemic.