The future of healthcare is evolving, along with new options for nurses. More and more nurses are exploring the opportunities of a work-from-home nursing profession.
Telehealth is on the rise, and remote nursing is becoming more of a reality and a viable option for licensed nurses who want alternative ways of providing care.
This article offers an in-depth view of the following:
- What are work-from-home nursing jobs?
- What kinds of remote nursing careers exist?
- The pros and cons of remote nursing.
- How to prepare yourself for a switch to a remote nursing position.
According to a study titled “Remote Work in Nursing: Facilitators and Barriers,”
“Many opportunities exist for evidence to better inform organizational policy and procedure on nursing roles and tasks that can be remote and/or hybrid. It is important to note that technology must be compliant with healthcare-related privacy regulations. Further, there are opportunities within nursing to determine the most effective remote leadership models to achieve or continue nursing excellence in nursing practice.”
What is remote nursing?
Remote nursing is a term for nursing activities undertaken away from traditional clinical environments. Such activities typically involve telecommunication equipment, electronic health records (EHR), and computerized systems.
Some of the normal virtual nursing roles include the following:
- Telehealth nurses conduct video consultations.
- Nurse case managers prepare long-term care arrangements.
- Triage nurses assess symptoms and coordinate care.
- Informatics nurses work with data and systems.
- Nurse educators teach online.
How is remote nursing different from on-site nursing?
A remote nursing role is very different from a bedside or clinical role.
Whereas physical attendance is required in direct patient interaction in traditional roles, remote nursing job experiences use communications technology and electronic systems.
Patient interactions become virtual forms, requiring good communication skills, technical competency, and the ability to assess patients through non-touch examination.
The most important differences are as follows:
- No immediate procedures
- Use of protocol and scripted scripts
- Additional paperwork and data entry
- Increased application of technology for communication and evaluation
Work-at-home nursing job types
Home-bound nurses can perform activities from online patient assessment to case management and education. Let’s explore some of the common remote job types.
Telehealth nursing
Telehealth nursing is one of the most recognized forms of home nursing. Telehealth nurses provide care through secure video interfaces, phone, or asynchronous messaging.
Follow-up visits, medication teaching, and management of chronic illnesses are some of the assignments that a day in the life of a home-based telehealth nurse would entail.
These positions require knowledge of video conferencing software, sensitivity to tone and sense of urgency over the phone, and adherence to compliance guidelines.
Nurse case management
Home case managers coordinate care between providers and sites. They track patient data, speak with families and healthcare workers about care, and arrange recovery resources and rehospitalization prevention.
These roles call for strong organizational ability and understanding of care planning, insurance plans, and long-term health needs.
Triage nursing
Triage nurses perform clinical assessments through phone or video. They evaluate the severity of symptoms and refer patients to their required level of treatment, either a same-day appointment, emergency service, or home self-care.
The role requires sharp critical thinking and quick decision-making, as well as temperament to remain focused under pressure.
Nursing informatics and education
There are informatics nurses who help support healthcare systems and digital transformation efforts, as well as distance educators who develop training materials, instruct online courses, and mentor new nurses.
These roles are less patient-oriented and more technical and skill-oriented, and typically suit experienced nurses with specialized education and expertise.
Next, let’s dive into the pros and cons of home-based nursing.
Benefits of remote nursing
Some benefits of work-from-home or remote nursing include the following.
Flexibility and work-life balance
Greater flexibility is perhaps the most oft-quoted benefit of remote nursing employment.
Work-from-home nurses can typically set their own schedules or work at night, which enables them to manage personal responsibilities with relative ease.
Less commute and travel fatigue
Telecommuting for nurses eliminates overnight stays or long drives, which reduces physical as well as mental fatigue.
This allows individuals to focus more during the workday and save energy for non-work-related activities.
More focus in an organized setting
Home work has the ability to reduce office distractions as well. Nurses also point to greater concentration and precision when charting, especially in telehealth nursing professional life.
Limitations of remote nursing
Let’s explore some challenges of remote nursing.
Technology and connectivity issues
Remote work depends on steady internet connections and adequately operating software. Technical issues can disrupt patient care and affect productivity.
Impaired face-to-face patient interaction
Missing face-to-face communication may impede rapport building, reading non-verbal communication, or certain types of care. This might frustrate hands-on nurses.
Risk for isolation or burnout
Telehealth work can be lonely for nurses who are used to a team setting. Stress management without a support group could increase the risk of burnout.
Skills and equipment needed
What are some skills and equipment needed when working from home as a nurse?
Technical skills and equipment
Home-based nursing work life demands knowledge of EHR software, telehealth equipment, and secure messaging. A nurse's home office set up should include the following:
- High-speed internet connection
- HIPAA-compliant video software
- Noise-canceling headset
- Two monitors or wide screens
- Secure portal access to patient information
- Communication and time management
Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. Nurses must be independent, capable of arranging their workday and working under deadlines without supervision.
How to make the transition to a remote nursing position
Here is a list of tips to help you make the transition to a remote nursing career:
Credentials and experience desired by employers
Remote employers demand nurses with active licensure, strong clinical practice, and knowledge of such specialties as primary care, chronic disease management, or care coordination.
Special certification, like case management or telehealth, would be helpful.
Job search strategies and work-at-home employers
When looking for home nursing jobs, employ keywords like "nursing jobs from home," "remote patient monitoring nurse," “nursing telehealth job overview,” and "telehealth nurse stories" to find leads. Some of the work-at-home employer nurses include:
- Health insurance companies
- Telemedicine platforms
- Hospital systems with virtual care programs
- Home health agencies that use computerized equipment
- Developing an Effective Home Workspace
A quiet, private home workspace must be available. It must be ergonomically designed to support extended computer use. Comfort and compliance are supported through investments in good lighting, an ergonomic chair, and safe storage.
The future of remote nursing
Remote nursing jobs are only going to increase as healthcare systems become more technologically integrated.
Long-term outlook and growth opportunities
The need for virtual nursing jobs is driven by:
- Increase in chronic disease management
- Aging patient populations
- Primary care practitioner shortages
- Technology and policy change impact
As telehealth rules evolve, so will distance nursing. Licensing, reimbursement rules, and privacy laws will all keep shaping the landscape.
Nurses who adapt to technology quickly and stay in compliance will be ahead of the curve.
Is remote nursing for me?
A home-based nursing profession offers a specialized way of staying involved in patient care with the attainment of flexibility and autonomy. A work-from-home nurse’s salary is likely to stay in the range of their on-site counterparts, depending on the role and specialty.
Nurses who are considering transitioning to remote nursing need to consider their skill sets, become trained if necessary, and be prepared to change how they communicate with patients. By properly preparing, nurses can create rewarding and sustainable home-based careers.
Want to pursue remote nursing?
Learn how to become a telehealth nurse with our guide, “Telehealth nursing specialty: Telemedicine salary, skills and more.”
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