Nursing Jobs You Can Do From Home

Remote work and telehealth gained traction during the pandemic, and patients and healthcare providers embraced its convenience and accessibility. Remote work and telehealth appeals to work-from-home nurses, particularly parents, who need to maintain a work-life balance and require flexibility.

Telehealth can have different meanings depending on the provider, but in general it is the long-distance delivery of healthcare that relies mainly on electronic communication like video conferencing or online platforms. Remote work does not necessarily include delivery of healthcare services but can include other nursing-related jobs such as freelance writing.

A nationwide shortage of nurses has led to 2019-2029 job growth rate projections of 7% for registered nurses (RNs) and 52% for nurse practitioners (NPs) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Individuals in rural areas and elderly, home-bound patients benefit from telehealth services, leading to increased demand for telehealth professionals.

MSN programs take 2-3 years to complete, and typical application requirements include a BSN, an RN license, a 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, and 1-2 years of nursing experience. Each licensure applicant must pass a national examination in their specialty area from an organization such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Credentialing Center, or Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

RNs can find remote work in telephone triage, legal consulting, nurse education, freelance writing on nursing topics, and nursing informatics. Other positions include checking insurance claims for coverage, overseeing clinical trials, and recruiting healthcare staff. Telehealth options include seeing patients during virtual visits or preparing them for physician consultations.

Work-from-home nurses often provide telehealth services, such as scheduling appointments, providing referrals, and consulting with and advising patients through phone and video calls. Patients can log on for face-to-face visits with their practitioners to discuss physical and mental health concerns.

According to PayScale, telehealth nurses earn an average base salary of $64,220 as of June 2021. Nurses in the lowest 10% salary bracket make an average of $43,000, while the highest 10% earn $78,000. Experience pays for telehealth nurses, and those with more than 10 years on the job can see a significant climb in their incomes.

Telehealth nurses must possess an RN license, which requires an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN). Virtual nurses undergo training in telecommunication, including video conferencing, email, and messaging. Most practice for a few years caring for patients in person before transitioning to telehealth and earning telehealth certification. Depending on the state and telehealth company, the RN may need to be licensed through a multistate or compact license agreement.

According to Lina Velikova, M.D., Ph.D., “Telephone triage is becoming more prominent since it allows doctors to manage their time better and tend to patients with more severe conditions, while nurses assess symptoms and advise patients over the phone.”

Telephone triage nurses recommend whether a patient should go to the emergency room or urgent care immediately. They may also suggest that the patient schedule an appointment to see their physician. Though data is limited, PayScale reports that they can earn $29,000-$74,000 as of June 2021.

Case management involves communication with patients, care providers, and insurance companies regarding services needed and coverage eligibility. They may also communicate with employers for work-related injuries and conditions.

“Case management can turn into a lucrative career path for nurses who desire to work remotely,” Velikova says.

PayScale data indicates that case managers earn an average salary of $73,690 as of June 2021.

Nurses working in this field can find employment in hospitals and insurance companies. Like case managers, they check patients’ insurance policies for coverage of the required services. They also recommend care adjustments to clinical review boards.

Insurance claims nurses usually have RN licenses and backgrounds in clinical nursing and administrative work. As of June 2021, these professionals earn an average salary of $71,990, according to PayScale.

These specialists assist attorneys working on medical cases. While the job does not require formal legal training, nurses need medical chronology and case analysis skills. Some universities offer MSNs with a concentration in legal nurse consulting.

Kealy Hawk, RN, says, “They primarily work from home and can assist lawyers in a variety of ways because of their medical training. They can consult with lawyers over the phone or internet.”

PayScale figures indicate that legal nurse consultants make an average salary of $79,740 as of June 2021.

“Nurses who have a passion for writing can pursue careers as medical writers and work from anywhere in the world,” suggests Velikova. Freelance nurse writers need “extensive knowledge of medical terminology and procedures,” she adds.

Medical writers also need the versatility and skills to write for various audiences, including healthcare professionals and patients. According to June 2021 data from PayScale, freelance writers earn an annual average salary of $40,850, while medical writers average $73,590.

These work-from-home RN jobs require a background in clinical nursing and experience with electronic health records. These nurses maintain medical software and hardware, train medical staff to use patient care applications, and perform system updates and troubleshooting.

The job requires a minimum of a BSN, but many employers prefer candidates with master’s degrees in health informatics, healthcare management, or quality management. Nursing informatics jobs pay an average salary of $79,630, according to June 2021 PayScale data.

Virtual instruction has become a popular online nursing job. These professionals teach classes and design curriculums for online nursing programs. Clinical educators provide nursing staff training, develop continuing educational materials, and evaluate clinical staff performance.

PayScale data indicates that, as of June 2021, clinical nurse educators earn an average salary of $77,280, while college instructors earn an average salary of $50,640.

This work-from-home nursing job ensures adequate staffing in hospitals and medical centers. Recruiters conduct telephone or online candidate screenings and interviews, submit qualified applicants, and serve as liaisons between job seekers and employers in the hiring process.

Healthcare recruiters earn an average base salary of $47,800, according to June 2021 data from PayScale.

In this work-from-home RN job, public health nurses promote awareness and provide advice on understanding communicable diseases, treatment options, home care procedures, and resources.

Nurses identify at-risk communities and groups, and the job may require some onsite visits. As of June 2021, disease intervention specialists earn an average salary of $39,050, according to PayScale.

BSN-level and MSN-level nurses with management experience can find positions overseeing clinical trials, recruiting participants, and developing protocols. These professionals also monitor progress, budgeting, and reporting. This online nursing job from home may require some travel and, as of June 2021, pays an average salary of $98,140, according to PayScale.