The global COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2020 led to the explosion of a virtual reality of work-at-home opportunities. Moreover, the pandemic helped to accelerate online technology making remote jobs more accessible for otherwise typically on-site positions in the field of nursing. Consequently, this technological evolution has made working from home easier than ever, and many registered nurses (RNs) are choosing to go remote.
That’s right—calling all nurses who are considering dabbling in the e-commuting world. It is now possible to do what you love from the comfort of your home. In fact, we know a few career opportunities for nurses that not only pay well but have been listed as some of the best work-at-home jobs in 2022. Read on for the good stuff!
What Is a Work-at-Home Nurse?
When we think of a career in nursing, we generally think of working hands-on at a medical facility or hospital. And while working on-site and gaining valuable clinical experience facilitates practical knowledge needed to succeed as a nurse, some healthcare-focused remote positions provide the perfect opportunity for nurses to work from a distance. That said, a work-at-home nurse (also referred to as a remote nurse) is a registered nurse that offers a broad range of health care services and treatment modalities for patients remotely. Perhaps that’s why one of the biggest benefits of working at home is that a nurse can enjoy a great degree of flexibility. More than that, remote nurses have the unique ability to take charge of their schedule and adjust it to sync harmoniously with their current lifestyle. Hence, remote nursing can be an excellent choice for stay-at-home parents or any nurse looking for a better work-life balance.
What Are the Requirements for a Work-at-Home Nurse?
Working as a remote nurse requires all the same credentials and certifications as a nurse who works on-site. That is to say, aside from holding the correct credentials and nursing certifications, to perform a remote nursing position, you will also need to have a good amount of experience working bedside in a clinical setting. Therefore, if you already have several years under your belt working as a licensed nurse and have a star resume showcasing your professional experience, then you will likely be a top candidate for a remote nursing position. Keep in mind that because of the nature of a work-at-home nursing position, many employers look for nurses who maintain a high ethical standard. In other words, employers want to see a nursing professional who demonstrates qualities such as compassion and integrity and will show up each day to work committed to providing dignified care for their patients.
If the idea of working remotely as a nurse sounds intriguing, below are some of the best nursing jobs in the industry right now.
Telehealth Nurse
Telehealth nurses are registered nurses who work at home to answer patients’ health-related questions via phone, email, or messaging. Typically, telehealth nurses are the first point of contact for patients with minor health problems. With that said, the workload of telehealth nurses has a broad spectrum of responsibilities that may include scheduling appointments and providing medical advice and guidance on how patients can deal with minor health issues at home. It can also entail ambulance dispatch or directing patients to seek emergency care. Thus, one of the main objectives of a telehealth nurse is to educate and support patients in managing less serious health issues at home so that doctors and other nurses can care for patients with major and life-threatening emergencies in person.
Furthermore, most companies ensure that patients can reach a telehealth nurse at almost any time of the day. Therefore, similar to on-site nursing, you may be asked to work virtual shifts at any point during a twenty-four-hour interval. That said, make sure you are familiar with what hours you will be required to work when applying for a telenursing job.
With all this in mind, if you are a great listener with exceptional communication skills, hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing, and have some hands-on clinical experience, a career in telenursing could be a good fit for you.
RN Case Manager
The primary goal of an RN case manager is to develop, implement, manage, and review treatment care plans for a patient with a chronic underlying illness. As a result, many RN case managers work with geriatric patients who require specialized care that will involve a collaboration of various doctors, health care practitioners, and insurance providers.
Essentially, RN case managers act as liaisons between patients and all medical and health care professionals to develop the best possible treatment for their patients. The responsibilities of an RN case manager can range from scheduling their patient’s appointments, offering guidance to patients and families on important medical decisions, and working with insurance providers to reduce the overall cost of a patient’s medical care. Ultimately, an RN case manager’s main objective is that a patient’s long-term treatment plan runs effectively and smoothly while keeping overall health care costs to a minimum. RN case managers, therefore, are required to possess great attention to detail, be critical thinkers, and be able to focus on multiple tasks at one time.
Regarding earning potential, RNs, including case managers, earn an average annual salary of $82,750. So, if you are currently an RN with at least a few years of on-site clinical experience and consider yourself to be a detail-oriented individual with a voice for patient advocacy, an RN case remote case manager position could be a great option for you.
Online Nurse Educator
Nurse educators share their knowledge from years of experience working as RNs with the next generation of nurses. For this reason, if you are a nurse and find yourself called to a teaching position through which you can share your professional nursing skills with aspiring students, a remote nurse educator role could be perfect for you. That said, not only do nurse educators strive to prepare other nurses academically for the healthcare industry, but they can serve as their students’ advocates and mentors when the pressure of nursing gets tough.
The job description of an online nurse educator can vary depending on experience and the institution where a nurse educator decides to work. Generally, however, online nurse instructors may be in charge of developing coursework, holding online lectures, assigning homework, and administering exams. Additionally, an online nurse educator may perform research for laboratories and evaluate other nurse educators' curriculums. When it comes to salary, an online nurse educator can take home anywhere from $61,000 to as much as $117,000 a year, depending on the state where they work.
All things considered, if you are an RN with advanced clinical experience and are looking for a career that is rewarding, flexible, and pays well, then an online nurse educator position is a great match for you.
Future of Virtual Nursing
Whether the pandemic got you thinking about transitioning your nursing career to a full-time work-at-home position, or you are just craving a bit more flexibility, there are plenty of high-paying remote positions within the health care sector. And while nursing is generally a hands-on professional practice, innovation in technology and virtual environments have allowed nurses to move their jobs online. So, why not explore the world of remote nursing? Who knows—your dream job may be around the corner in a comfy chair in your own home!
Craving a bit of flexibility but still want some on-site clinical experience? Check out Nursa’s healthcare staffing app, and find a high paying, per diem nursing shift near you that fits your schedule.
