Telehealth nursing involves providing care remotely. There are many benefits, such as work-life balance and better patient monitoring. The process of becoming a telehealth nurse begins with earning a nursing degree, obtaining licensure and gaining bedside experience.
After earning a nursing degree and obtaining registered nurse (RN) licensure, you can choose from a variety of workplace settings and nursing specialties. You may even decide to work remotely as a telehealth nursing professional.
What is telehealth nursing, and what are the advantages? It’s worth taking a closer look at this area of health care, but first, you’ll need a degree and a license to pursue a nursing career. At Harding University, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing in as few as 16 months with our accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program in Arkansas. After graduating and successfully passing the licensure exam, you can pursue any number of nursing specialties and work settings, including remote ones.
While you’re preparing for a future nursing career, take a closer look at telehealth nursing. Explore the answers to questions such as, “What do telehealth nurses do?” and discover the requirements needed to pursue this type of career.
An Overview of Telehealth Nursing
Telehealth is a care model in which nurses and other health care providers deliver health care services remotely. It involves using technology, such as phones and videoconferencing software, to connect with patients who are not physically present at the health care facility.
A telehealth nurse may be employed by a hospital, private practice doctor, insurance company and home health agency. They can work in a variety of settings, from health care facilities to their own homes. Note that states have differing laws on how telehealth can be used.
How Telehealth Nursing Supports Patient Care
What do telehealth nurses do to support quality patient care? Telehealth nursing offers the opportunity to increase access to care, which is crucial in health care deserts, which are areas that lack nearby health care services.
From remote settings, nurses can assess patients’ symptoms and provide recommendations. Telehealth nursing also enables the remote monitoring of patients’ conditions using sensors, monitors or health care apps that deliver critical information to providers. Then, nurses can evaluate the data remotely and provide treatment or disease management recommendations as needed.
When technology makes it easier for patients to receive the care they need and become engaged in their care, they may be more likely to adhere to treatment recommendations. This improves patient outcomes.
What is nursing school like? Learn all about it before you attend.
What Telehealth Nurses Do
Like an RN who sees patients in person, a telehealth nurse prioritizes patient care and safety. No two days are alike, and the specific responsibilities of a telehealth nurse depend on their area of practice and the patient cases they see on any given day.
In general, however, a telehealth nurse may do the following:
- Conduct remote patient assessments by reviewing the patient’s medical history and questioning them about their symptoms.
- Develop nursing care plans.
- Recommend treatment options.
- Prescribe medications if practice authority allows.
- Deliver patient education.
- Provide support to patients recovering from surgery.
Although many minor medical matters can be handled remotely, others require an in-person visit. Telehealth nurses must always be aware of their limitations. It may be necessary to advise that a patient go to the hospital for care or to undergo a diagnostic test. Telehealth nurses may also provide referrals to specialists.
The Benefits of a Career in Telehealth Nursing
There are many benefits of telehealth nursing, from better work-life balance to a reduced exposure to pathogens.
1. Work-Life Balance
Some nurses enjoy telehealth nursing because it offers a work-life balance. These roles can offer favorable hours and the ability to work from home with HIPAA-compliant equipment, allowing nurses to work away from the clinical setting and make it easier to be present for their friends or families.
2. Flexible and Convenient
Both providers and patients often find telehealth to be convenient and flexible. Working remotely removes the need for a commute, and patients do not need to travel to their appointments. The telehealth model also allows providers to see more patients by reducing the lag time between appointments and discouraging no-shows and late arrivals.
3. Promotes Safety
During the COVID pandemic, telehealth appointments became more popular, with good reason. There is zero risk of spreading pathogens from one person to another when they aren’t in the same physical location. This helps protect both providers and patients.
4. Increases Health Care Access
The U.S. lags behind in health care infrastructure. In fact, about 80% of Americans live in a health care desert, which is an area that doesn’t offer easy access to essential health care services.
As an aspiring nurse, you likely feel called to serve others who need help. If you choose to become a telehealth nurse, you can provide care to patients who live in these medical deserts and are in significant need of care.
Alternatively, you could pursue many other nursing careers. Explore some of the best nursing specialties.
Education and Training Required for Telehealth Nursing
If you feel that a career as a telehealth RN or other type of nurse could be right for you, your journey could begin by earning a nursing degree at Harding University. The career requirements for the telehealth specialty include the following:
A Nursing Degree
All telehealth RNs need a nursing degree. If you have prior non-nursing college education, you might not need to return to school for another four years.
At Harding University, you can leverage your past education to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months, provided you meet the admissions requirements. These include having at least 64 non-nursing college credits or a bachelor’s degree. You’ll also need to fulfill the nursing prerequisites.
RN Licensure
Like other RNs, telehealth nurses need state licensure. You can accomplish this by passing the NCLEX exam. It’s crucial to set aside plenty of time to study for the exam. In fact, it’s recommended that you start studying shortly after beginning your degree program.
You’ll need a great deal of nursing knowledge to pass the NCLEX, but critical thinking skills and sound clinical judgment are essential. This adaptive test evaluates your ability to assess patient scenarios and choose the most appropriate clinical responses. It’s a good idea to take several practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format and content.
Clinical Experience at the Bedside
Even if you plan to focus your career on remote patient care, it’s essential to acquire a few years of in-person health care experience. It can be challenging to accurately assess a patient remotely. You won’t be able to conduct a physical exam as you normally would, so you’ll need clinical experience to bridge the gap. When you become a telehealth nurse, your bedside experience will prove invaluable.
Professional Certification: Optional
In addition to gaining clinical experience, you may wish to bolster your nursing credentials by obtaining one or more optional certifications. Look for certification options in your chosen practice area, whether that is urgent care or chronic disease management.
There is no certification option specifically intended for telehealth nursing. You can, however, earn the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification, which includes telehealth nursing content. This certification is administered by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing.
Career Paths and Opportunities in Telehealth Nursing
There are many opportunities and specialty careers to discover in telehealth. A telehealth RN may provide remote case management or virtual triaging, for example. Consider the following possibilities:
- Remote patient monitoring: Track data from wearable health devices to evaluate chronic conditions
- Care coordinator: Manage care plans and collaborate with different providers
- Nurse educator: Teach nursing education classes remotely
- Legal nurse consulting: Provide specialty expertise in legal cases
- Utilization review: Review insurance claims for health insurers
Pursue a Range of Nursing Careers at Harding
At Harding University, you can prepare to pursue whichever nursing career best suits you. Our ABSN program offers a values-based education that allows you to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months after completing prerequisites. Plus, with three start dates per year, you can get started sooner than you might think.
Contact our friendly admissions team today to take the first steps toward a nursing career.