A common complaint from both nurses and other healthcare workers is that work-life balance is getting harder every year. The connected nature of our modern lives and the rigors of working life make it much harder to switch off and enjoy a career in these fields. What are the options that have a bit more autonomy and flexibility for someone seeking a life as a nurse?
Quick Care Connect (QCC) provides a method by which you can start finding work-from-home nurse jobs that work for you. At the same time, it also provides a platform on which new patients can find you too.
Continue reading to learn the benefits that come with remote nursing roles and find out how QCC can help you plan a perfect schedule. Achieve the balanced nursing career you deserve.
The Rise of Work-from-Home Nurse Jobs
In the past five years, remote nursing roles have surged in popularity. This is in part due to the difficulties faced by in-person carers in the past decade, but that is not the only reason.
At the same time, and in part for the same reasons, telepresence technology has progressed at a breakneck pace. As such, telehealth and remote consultations are now accepted by both patients and healthcare workers. Many healthcare providers have thus adopted these services and made use of them to provide a level of care akin to what they could enact in person.
As the need for these remote services has increased, more nurses have experienced a surge in industry demand. As such, working remotely has become a viable option for a much larger percentage of the nursing profession. As such, working remotely has become a viable option for a much larger percentage of the nursing profession.
While some things cannot occur remotely, remote nursing does allow for a higher level of patient care when presence is not demanded. For example, verbal check-ins and social visits can now occur without any need for travel, helping them occur faster and without hassle.
Patients and providers were first hesitant about the use of such technology due to the perception it was “impersonal”. Over time, though, the conversation has instead pivoted on the idea that it is more convenient for everyone to perform remote checks. Patients can also now enjoy much more privacy, which many would feel they would not get during an in-person visit.
Understanding the Need for Remote Healthcare Experts
Across the nation, there is a shortage of healthcare professionals. This is having a direct impact on the quality of care that the sector can offer patients. This is worse in rural areas or locations with low average income, due to lack of prestigious roles and lower salaries.
Remote healthcare workers can now provide services without limitations that might impact others. They can interact with patients without needing to be there, build up a rapport from a distance, and visit only when the situation demands it.
Patients who need a lower level of ongoing care, such as those with chronic conditions, can benefit from remote monitoring. Consultations can also occur over the Internet and help nurses offer reassurance and advice. This leads to identical patient improvement while also making better use of time and resources.
During unavoidable issues that may prevent ease of movement, it can become very difficult to get to a physical appointment. Work-from-home nurses are thus very much in demand during times of extreme weather or even isolation and quarantine. This extends further to help those who cannot travel, such as the elderly or disabled who have trouble getting to a healthcare facility.
Due to the nature of specialized care, it may not always be possible to offer local help with every issue one might face. Specific nurses will not be available equally across the nation. Situations such as these are perfect examples of why telehealth can boost access and offer you a great nursing opportunity.
How Remote Nursing Improves Patient Access to Care
As well as the physical access that remote nursing bypasses, its nature also helps overcome other issues that might plague a patient. Due to the lack of commute to travel to a remote visit, for example, a nurse or patient can enjoy a much more flexible schedule. They can plan for appointments without taking into account the time needed to get there or back.
In a similar vein, remote nursing can also make it even easier to enact follow-up appointments. These short meetings do not always need physical interaction and may only require a patient to confirm they have not suffered an illness.
This leads to easier access to nurses and faster follow-ups. It also grants more frequent check-ins for those patients who might need regular care.
Improved access to care for patients leads to better outcomes by removing several bottlenecks. This then leads to a much higher level of patient satisfaction and more trust in the health service in general as well as nursing specifically.
The Benefits of Working From Home as a Nurse
It is not only patients who benefit from the ability to work from home and remote nursing. It also offers a much better career for nurses who choose to leverage this option.
The flexible schedule that work-from-home nurses can plan for allows them to better manage their time. Due to the lack of a commute, nurses can instead use that time to handle their other responsibilities, reducing stress while in the workplace.
Nurses can also use this situation to create a comfortable home environment, tailored to their specific needs. While they are expected to stay professional, they can change their working location to ensure they finish their workday relaxed. This may include the use of off-camera decorations to create a more personal space.
Increased Individual Patient Care
For many nurses, it is the very interactions that they have with patients that make the role worthwhile. For them, one of the best parts of working from home is the ability to create care plans for each patient without hospital constraints. Plans such as these can be much more personalized, reflecting each patient’s unique needs.
Depending on the healthcare system they work for, a nurse may also have more right of refusal when it comes to their patients. In some cases, working from home means that they can choose the types of patients they focus on and the conditions in which they work. This increased autonomy and focus leads to more growth and better job satisfaction, thus a higher level of job retention.
Being empowered due to not being in a hospital setting can also be the boost a healthcare worker needs to get over a slump. Being more independent can then lead to a feeling of agency they would not otherwise achieve. This positive attitude will reflect in the nurse’s work as they start to have a better outlook regarding their role.
Reducing Burnout in Nursing
Due to the less stressful nature of working from home, nurses can create an environment in which they are much less likely to burn out in the role. With the ability to set their own breaks and manage a workload, a work-from-home nurse can enjoy the work they do without worrying about overwork.
Nurses can also take advantage of more opportunities for professional development. This benefits both them and their patients as they become a better medical professional.
Achieving Work/Life Balance
Being able to handle a balanced schedule means a healthcare professional can separate work and interests much better. They can stop working at the same time every day and pursue hobbies or other activities without needing to worry about commutes.
This greater level of freedom enhances a nurse’s mental health due to them having a more balanced lifestyle. The fulfillment that comes from this ensures they can focus more on their working role, giving patients a better service.
Different Types of Remote Nurse Jobs
There are several forms of remote registered nurse jobs, each of which allows you to focus on a different area of care. If you are looking for such a role, or feel that you need a remote nurse to help you, remember to focus your search on one of these areas.
Telehealth nursing involves conducting virtual consultations and follow-ups. These may be anything from conducting routine check-ups to discussing specific issues in detail. These nurses need strong communication skills and a level of comfort in providing care from a distance.
Remote case managers instead focus on the process of developing and coordinating care plans for patients. They need strong organizational skills and will need to develop a clear focus that allows them to manage such a care plan well. Our site can help you learn more about how to become a care manager in your area using advanced nursing software.
Network triage nurses are the first line of communication with many new patients. They assess patient symptoms via online chat or even via telephone so that they can ensure the patient receives appropriate care. This can help to reduce the burden on emergency departments and get patients to the correct location as fast as possible.
Remote coverage reviewers work with insurance companies. They help evaluate the necessity of specific medical demands. This can help a person to receive the correct coverage and get a patient the necessary and appropriate treatment.
Other nursing focuses do exist, though they are less common and may relate to specific demographics or locations. Thus, ensure that you perform the right amount of research on where to find them.
The Recent Impact of Technology on Remote Nursing
The onward march of technology has had a positive impact on remote nursing, allowing it to be more ubiquitous. This is made possible through a few key advances.
First, telehealth platforms and technology have put the world in a position where video calling is much more normal. This allows patients to contact nursing professionals much more easily. These consultations occur more easily, making patient care easier for all parties.
At the same time, electronic health records (EHRs) make getting easy access to a patient’s information a priority. Standardization of these records has allowed this to become a simpler task.
The introduction of mobile apps and wearable devices means patients can track data much more easily. This allows a nurse to see how a patient is doing at a glance instead of actively monitoring every person.
With AI and machine learning continuing to make strides, we can expect these areas to also improve remote nursing. For example, it could allow a healthcare worker to see which patients are most at-risk based on several factors. They could then check in on these individuals, offering them a chance to discuss their issues.
Skills and Qualifications Required for Remote Nursing
While remote nursing may be a new and exciting area of healthcare, it does come with some strong requirements. A new entry into this area of healthcare will be expected to have:
- Experience and proficiency with telehealth technology
- Strong communication skills to aid with virtual appointments
- Self-discipline to allow them to balance their workload
- Adaptability based on technological advancements in remote nursing
- A drive for continuous learning to stay relevant
A valid nursing license is, of course, required, but the following may also be mandated by a nursing practice:
- Relevant clinical experience
- A specialized certificate in a telehealth-adjacent qualification
- An advanced degree in specific nursing fields
- Competency with healthcare regulations and guidelines
Together, these can help assure a patient that the nurse can handle any situation they might need to resolve.
Embrace the Future of Nursing With QCC
Work-from-home nurse jobs are some of the most flexible healthcare roles out there. They come with a level of prestige and can help you avoid burnout. When you start working in this area, though, QCC can help you out.
We provide both the software to sign up to be a remote nurse as well as what you need if you are trying to find a nurse for yourself or a loved one. The opportunities we provide can help you get the help you need. So, visit our website and sign up for Quick Care Connect to start on a new healthcare journey today.