Becoming a Telehealth Nurse: Degrees & Necessary Skills

A telehealth nurse is a registered nurse who provides patient care from a remote location rather than through in-person visits. This form of healthcare is unique since it allows patients to receive necessary healthcare services without leaving their homes.

Telehealth services have been available for years. However, research shows that telemedicine healthcare grew in popularity at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been well received by patients and is expected to remain a significant part of the healthcare system.

Do you want to work as a telehealth nurse? Becoming a telehealth nurse requires you to obtain the same nursing education and licensure as RNs. However, the work environment of a telehealth nurse is different than that of an registered nurse in a healthcare facility. You'll need telecommunications technology skills to provide effective patient care virtually.

What Is a Telehealth Nurse?

Telehealth nurses are nursing professionals who provide patient care remotely�typically through virtual visits. They use telehealth technology to answer patient inquiries, assess conditions, prescribe medications, and conduct remote patient monitoring.

It's common for telehealth nurses to work from home. However, they might also work in hospital units, nursing agencies, insurance companies, or call centers.

The goal of telehealth nursing is to relieve pressure on the healthcare system. Remote nurses manage everyday medical issues while clinics, doctor's offices, urgent care centers, and emergency rooms handle more pressing healthcare needs.

What Do Telehealth Nurses Do?

Telehealth nurses have many of the same responsibilities as traditional registered nurses. Here are a few duties:

• evaluate patients' symptoms and overall medical condition
• go over patients' medical histories
• administer treatment plans and prescribe medications
• detail steps for managing symptoms and provide medical advice
• work with physicians, specialists, and other healthcare providers
• offer patient education about at-home treatments
• discuss preventive care with patients and families
• make sure patient records are up-to-date

The primary difference between telehealth nursing and a more traditional nursing role is that telehealth nurses don't provide patient care in healthcare facilities. Telehealth nurses must learn to navigate virtual, phone, and video chat technology.

How To Become a Telehealth Nurse

To become a telehealth nurse, you must secure the right education. Also, you must pass a certification exam, apply for licensure, and gain experience in the field.

Telehealth Nurse Degree Requirements

Telehealth nurses must complete a nursing program to begin nursing practice. Here are educational options prospective telehealth nurses can choose from:

• diploma program (two- or three-year programs are offered in medical centers and hospitals)
• associate degree program (consider a four-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) from a college)
• bachelor's degree program (try a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a college or university)

It's good to note that nursing degree and diploma programs often require students to take prerequisite courses and meet a minimum GPA requirement before or during enrollment. When enrolled in nursing school, you'll take part in clinicals that give you the necessary communication skills and bedside experiences. If you'd like, you can strengthen your career by choosing a nursing specialty like pediatrics or gerontology.

Does Telehealth Nursing Require Licensure?

Yes, telehealth nursing requires licensure. To perform in a nursing role, you must secure a nursing license in the state you plan to work. The steps to gaining an RN license include the following:

• graduate from an accredited nursing program
• pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
• complete a criminal background check

You might also need CPR, basic life support (BLS), and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification. If you want to work in a specialty field, you can pursue certifications from sources like the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN).

Applying for Telehealth Nursing Jobs

Once you've taken the steps to secure licensure as a registered nurse, your final step is to apply for telehealth nursing jobs. You can explore job sites for remote, telehealth, and virtual nursing positions.

Certification options are available for nurses interested in telehealth. For instance, the American Heart Association offers the Certified Professional by the American Heart Association - Telehealth program to validate knowledge of foundational telehealth principles.

What Skills Are Most Important for a Telehealth Nurse?

As a telehealth nurse, you'll need many nursing skills commonly required in traditional healthcare settings. Here are some of the most important skills for telehealth nurses.

1. Active Listening

Active listening is an important skill for anyone in a nursing role. But it becomes even more important when you don't have a patient in your presence to help with your assessments. Whether your appointments take place over the phone or via video conferencing, you want to listen carefully to and show you understand your patients' concerns.

2. Communication

Effective communication skills are important for telehealth nurses. After listening to patient concerns and assessing their condition, you'll need to provide clear instructions to ensure they fully understand and are prepared to follow their treatment plan.

3. Critical Thinking

Since you don't have the luxury of assessing your patients in person, you'll have to rely on their explanations and put on your critical-thinking cap to provide high-quality care. You can also use your research and data analysis skills to find solutions when answers don't arise immediately.

4. Technological

Telehealth nursing requires technological competency. You might connect with patients via a mobile app, email, or other telemedicine tools requiring an Internet connection. You should be comfortable working with apps and programs and troubleshooting minor sound, video, and connection issues as they arise.