How to Find Remote Nursing Jobs
Table of Contents
Telemedicine was already changing how health careprofessionals delivered care, but it surged in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. We were isolating and sheltering in place, and telehealth became an easy and accessible way to receive necessary care while practicing safe social distancing. Telemedicine has become so popular that many people still choose to utilize it, even though the restrictions during the pandemic have been lifted. This shift has opened the door to more remote nursing positions than ever before.
There are a variety of remote nursing jobs available, from case management to telephone triage nurse to health informatics to legal nurse consultant. While these jobs may not involve direct patient care, many of these roles directly affect health care delivery and ensure patients get the best care possible while giving health care workers a better work-life balance.
Looking for a remote RN, NP or LVN position? Check out HealthJob's Remote Nursing Job Board
How to find remote nursing jobs
There are many ways to find remote nursing jobs. One place to start may be to ask your current employer if they have any remote openings. Transferring into a new role at the company you already work for can make the transition easier.
If there are no remote positions available or if you’re looking for a fresh start with a new job, there are several great resources available online.
LinkedIn is a social media platform focused on business and employment. It’s a popular platform for career development and professional networking, and plenty of remote nursing jobs are posted on the platform, but it is not specific to health care.
HealthJob
HealthJob provides job board listing remote positions for RNs, NPs and LVNs. The job board is designed to connect nurses with opportunities in telehealth, case management, health informatics, and more, catering specifically to those seeking to transition into or advance within remote nursing roles. The job board sends twice-weekly emails with the latest jobs.
Looking for a remote nursing job? Check out HealthJob's Remote Nursing Job Board.
Wheel
Wheel is a little different. It’s not a platform that posts jobs from various employers; it’s a health care startup that offers a new way for clinicians to deliver remote care while helping companies build virtual care services. Essentially, you work for Wheel. Wheel has more opportunities for nurse practitioners and physician assistants than remote registered nurse opportunities, but there are remote RN jobs available on the platform.
What to look out for
Not all remote jobs are created equal, so knowing what to look for in your search is important.
Fully Remote vs. Hybrid
A Fully remote nursing position will never require you to be on-site, while hybrid roles may require you to work in-person hours or attend meetings on-site. Hybrid positions may be ideal for people who like working from home but want to interact with coworkers or patients occasionally.
Licensing
Licensing requirements will vary depending on the role, the company, the duties involved, and the position. If you are already licensed in the state where the remote position is located, your license may already meet the requirements. If a job you’re interested in is in another state or requires a license for a specific state, you may need to apply for another license. Some states and employers may accept a compact RN license; some may not. Registered nurses or nurse practitioners interested in a remote job but don’t have the necessary license, don’t let this hold you back. Many employers will help you secure the documentation you need for the job; some may even cover the fees.
Skills
Employers who hire remote nurses expect the people they hire to be able to perform their duties with minimal supervision. Specific skills vary depending on the job, but some general skills you should have to excel as a remote nurse include writing, communication, collaboration, self-motivation, organization, adaptability, time management, technical proficiency, flexibility, and emotional intelligence.
Applying for remote nursing jobs
Applying for remote telehealth jobs is similar to applying for any position, but there are some things to consider.
Resume
Your resume should contain information that emphasizes both your nursing skills and your ability to work remotely.
First, summarize your qualifications, highlighting your nurse experience, area of specialty, and any experience with electronic medical records or remote work. Even if you don’t have any remote work experience, be sure to mention any experience you have with the technology that would be required for remote opportunities.
Give your work history, including your job title, employer, employment dates, and responsibilities in the role. Highlight duties that are relevant to telenursing, like scheduling appointments, inputting patient information into the electronic record, or frequent phone interactions with insurance companies.
In the next section, list relevant skills. Note hard and soft skills to show employers you have the clinical knowledge, personal attributes, and qualities that make you a good candidate for a remote nursing role.
The following section should include a description of your education. Provide the name of your nursing degree and the name of the university you attended. List your graduation date if you graduated within the last three years.
If you have any certifications, add them in a separate section at the end of your resume. Include your nursing license number and the state it’s in. If you have specialty certifications, add those after your nursing license information.
Application process
The exact process to apply for remote telehealth jobs will depend on the platform you use, but there are some general steps that most online job portals use.
First, search job listings for positions you wish to apply for. Most platforms allow you to filter results, so make sure you’re looking for a remote position if that’s what you want, and be mindful that hybrid positions may be included in searches for remote work. Once you find something you want to apply for, make sure you meet the listed requirements. If it seems like a match, apply for the job by uploading your resume and sending it to the employer. Some platforms and employers may also ask you to compose a cover letter explaining your interest in the job.
If the employer is interested, someone will reach out to you via phone or email to schedule an interview. The remote hiring process is no different from in-person, so you expect multiple interviews via video chat or phone. Make sure that you are comfortable with the platform you are being asked to use before the day of your interview.
Be prepared to answer questions about your nursing experience and your ability to work remotely. If you do well in the interview and the employer is interested, they may ask you to do an online skills assessment. These help employers verify that you have the knowledge you claim to have on your resume.
After the interview, follow up to say thank you and then wait to hear from them. Most employers will send an offer or rejection letter, typically via email. If you get the job, this letter will explain the next steps. If you don’t get the job, it’s time to restart your search. Don’t worry, there are a lot of remote nursing opportunities available, so don’t give up!