Is a Remote Nursing Job Right for You?

• The amount of work-from-home jobs continues to grow, and there are many opportunities for nurses. 
• Think about the pros and cons of remote work to decide if a work-from-home position would be right for you. 
• If you seek a remote role, you can explore the many available positions and find one that is a perfect fit for you. 

The number of people working remotely has greatly increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people enjoy the convenience of working from home, and the demand for it is going up. This is true for many industries, including nursing.  

People enjoy many perks when working remotely. But remote nursing work may not be for everyone.

Read on to find out if a work-from-home job might be right for you and how to find one that is a great fit. 

Advantages of Remote Nursing Jobs

One benefit of working remotely is flexibility. This is why working from home could be a good option for people who have a lot of family-related responsibilities.

It could also be a great alternative for someone who has a disability or condition that would preclude them from a bedside job. Other positive aspects of remote work include:

• No commuting. 
• Flexible hours.
• Independence.
• Work on your schedule.
• Work from the comfort of home.
  

Disadvantages of Remote Nursing Work

Remote work may not appeal to everyone. For example, if a person is easily distracted, they may have a difficult time completing their workload.

There are parts of remote work that some nurses may dislike, such as:

• No in-person patient care.
• Limited interaction with colleagues.
• Must be self-disciplined.
• Able to troubleshoot technology issues.
• Need space at home to work.
  

Hybrid Work

Sometimes the best fit for a nurse is a combination of remote and in-person work. This hybrid model can work well because it gives employees some flexibility on hours and a break from their commute.

It also has the advantage of enabling employees to work directly with patients when they are in person.  They also can interact with colleagues on those days. 

Companies are finding that when employees are satisfied with their work environment, they stay in their jobs longer. This improves the company’s retention rate. 

Types of Remote Nursing Jobs

A variety of companies, including healthcare facilities, insurance companies, benefit management companies, and nonprofits, hire nurses for remote roles. The following are some of the most common remote nursing jobs: 

• Telehealth.
• Telephone Triage.
• Auditing and Quality Assurance.
• Utilization Management.
• Case Management.
• Legal Nurse Consulting.
• Nurse entrepreneurship. 

Another option for nurses is to start their own company. Nurses have many of the skills needed to be entrepreneurs. There is no limit to what nurses can do. Sometimes they have to be creative and think outside the box to discover what type of job fits best. 

How to Find a Remote Nursing Job

A great place to start to find a remote job is to talk with your current employer.

There may be remote opportunities available that you would not know about unless you ask. Employers also may be willing to work out a hybrid model with you that enhances your current position. 

Another option is to do a quick Google search to find remote work. There are many websites, job boards, and Facebook groups you can join that send out lists of remote nursing jobs. Employee websites are also a great place to look. 

The Bottom Line

Working from home as a nurse is possible, but not for everyone. You should consider all the ways it could affect your work-life balance.

If you decide to give remote work a shot, there are many different roles you could have as a nurse. 

Do some research to determine what type of position would fit you and then see if your current employer offers anything like that. If not, then locate resources to help you secure a remote job that suits your interests and will make you happy. 

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