Growth of Telehealth Nursing and Remote Nursing Jobs

There’s no question that the popularity of telehealth is rising. Telehealth has been around for decades, but its popularity skyrocketed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers higher levels of convenience for patients and also increases safety by reducing the spread of communicable diseases. Telehealth is also cost-effective — leading to fewer scheduling inefficiencies and staffing issues. The convenience and cost-effectiveness of telehealth options have most healthcare facilities looking for ways to incorporate telehealth into their services to compete in modern healthcare. This telehealth trend has more and more nurses looking for ways to enter the field of telehealth nursing. 

What is telehealth nursing? 

Telehealth nursing is the process of providing care remotely using technology such as mobile devices, computers, and tablets. Telehealth is more than digital appointment reminders or text confirmations. It offers a way to provide necessary nursing care and support from a distance. 

While there is no hands-on component, telehealth nursing care still provides much the same essential service to patients that nurses are able to provide during an in-person healthcare facility visit. Telehealth nurses educate, counselor, and care for patients in times of need. Telehealth nursing continues to evolve, but is viewed as an essential part of the healthcare system as these nursing professionals assess patient conditions to determine if an in-person visit is necessary, which allows healthcare facilities to serve a larger population while still providing individualized patient care. 

Telehealth growing in popularity 

There are a lot of positives when it comes to telehealth nursing — for both patients and healthcare providers. Telehealth nursing offers convenience, quality care, faster results, continuity of care, cost-effective solutions, and more. As technology continues to advance, patient comfort with virtual healthcare increases. 

Telehealth is here to stay. In fact, the American Telemedicine Association estimates that more than half of all healthcare services will be consumed virtually by the year 2030. In addition, CES, one of the largest technology trade shows in the world, dedicated entire learning tracks and sections of the show (held Jan 7-10, 2025) to digital healthcare with a focus on telehealth trends and capabilities this year. 

Types of telehealth 

There are various types of telehealth offered throughout the healthcare industry including: 

• Audio visits - patient visits via the phone with no video
• E-visits - communication with patients through an online portal
• Case-based teleconferencing - coordination of patient care across interdisciplinary providers
• Live video - real-time, face-to-face interaction with patients
• Mobile health - enabling patients to review personal health information and update changes in health status via mobile device
• Remote monitoring - using digital technologies to collect health information and transmit to healthcare providers 
• Store and forward - evaluating recorded video submitted by a patient and forwarding it to their healthcare provider

Each of these types of telehealth provide unique opportunities for nurses to interact with patients and assist in providing quality healthcare in virtual environments. Most healthcare facilities are using one or more of these technologies and adoption of additional telehealth technologies continues to grow. 

Impact of telehealth nursing on the nursing shortage

The nursing shortage in the United States continues to plague healthcare systems across the country with no signs of slowing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 197,200 new RNs will be needed before 2033 and projects 194,500 registered nursing job openings each year during the next 8 years. The increased adoption of telehealth nursing could help mitigate the effects of the nursing shortage by allowing fewer nurses to interact with more patients. 

Building rapport in telehealth nursing

The nurse-patient relationship is of utmost importance when it comes to gathering the information needed to provide quality care. Telehealth makes building rapport with patients more difficult, but not impossible. Telehealth nurses must develop strategies for effectively communicating with patients and their families and establish trust virtually. 

Nurses in telehealth jobs will need to use verbal communication skills to engage patients, and also look for nonverbal queues when video is used. Telehealth nurses must adapt their language so that they speak plainly and easy to follow and understand at all times. It’s also important to find ways to express empathy as you work to build trust in a virtual environment. Even if this is a repeat patient, you must continue to work on building rapport as a telehealth nurse. 

Are telehealth jobs usually remote nursing jobs? 

Whether or not a telehealth nursing position is classified as a remote nursing job is up to the individual organization providing telehealth services. Some telehealth nurses provide remote support from a hospital, doctor’s office, or other healthcare facility alongside other telehealth professionals; while others do work from home in remote nursing jobs. Those who are employed in remote nursing jobs for telehealth positions typically work as an extension of a healthcare institution to handle triage, process insurance claims, and/or manage disability cases. 

How to become a telehealth nursing specialist 

Telehealth nursing experience is a great career goal for nurses. There are not currently any specific certifications required for entering into the field of telehealth nursing, however, you will need to obtain an RN license. An active nursing license and good communication skills are imperative for landing and succeeding in a telehealth nursing job. Most, if not all, telehealth employers will also require you to have a minimum 2 years experience in hands-on nursing care as well as some triage experience. Some telehealth employers will require five years of hands-on nursing experience or more. Depending on the telehealth organization, you may need experience in specialized care or need to obtain additional certifications. Examples could include experience in pediatric nursing care, in-depth knowledge of monitor equipment, or credentials as a Certified Emergency Nurse. 

Getting the education you need for telehealth nursing

The first thing you will need to be considered for telehealth nursing jobs is an active RN license. Get the education you need to enter the telehealth field and make an impact on the future of nursing. Whether you need to make a move from LPN to RN, LPN to BSN,CNA to RN, Paramedic to RN, Medical Assistant to RN, or LPN to Nurse Practitioner; Achieve provides flexible, online programs that you can complete while you continue to work and gain invaluable nursing experience you will need in your future telehealth nursing job.

> Request more info on flexible RN Bridge programs here