Telehealth nursing involves providing care remotely by phone or video chat. It increases access to healthcare and brings greater convenience to the process. For a typical doctor’s visit, a patient might have to request time off from work, travel to and from the appointment, and wait in a waiting room.
This process involves considerable effort compared to using a phone or computer to chat with a provider, such as a telehealth nurse. If you want to help make healthcare more accessible, you might consider a nursing career in telehealth.
You can take the first steps toward becoming a telehealth nurse with Concordia University Irvine. Concordia University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program allows you to earn a quality Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 15 months. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 65 college credits, the ABSN program can set you on the fast track to earning a nursing degree and embarking on a nursing career.
Before starting the career pathway, research what’s involved with this nursing specialty and what virtual registered nurses (RNs) do during a typical shift. Then, explore the process of becoming a nurse and transitioning into the telenursing specialty.
What Is a Telehealth Nurse?
A telehealth RN is a provider who delivers patient care and education via telecommunications technology. This includes standard phone calls and high-tech, HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing platforms that can be used on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Many RNs work in telehealth to some extent; even those who don’t specialize in telehealth often use phones to contact patients about their post-discharge follow-up questions or update family members about a patient’s surgery. Some nurses, however, focus entirely or almost entirely on delivering care remotely.
Telehealth offers exciting possibilities. Some patients have transportation difficulties, limited mobility, or other chronic conditions that make it difficult to leave the house to see a provider. Telehealth brings care to them.
In addition, many patients live in healthcare deserts, without nearby access to clinics and hospitals. Others are immunocompromised and cannot safely be around large numbers of people. Virtual care allows them to talk to a nurse or doctor without driving for hours to reach one in person and without risking exposure to harmful pathogens.
Telehealth nurses can also help fulfill unique needs and address shortages. For example, they can provide care in schools that cannot staff an on-campus school nurse. They can also help hospitals avoid overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait times by seeing patients with less critical medical issues remotely.
Nurses must possess a level of autonomy in their practice to carry out their responsibilities. Learn more about autonomy in nursing and discover why it matters.
Day in the Life of a Virtual Nurse
Tele-nurses typically conduct patient interviews, monitor vital signs using remote digital technology, and instruct patients on treating minor wounds, such as burns or scratches. Telehealth RNs may also evaluate illnesses, such as rashes or allergic responses, and inform patients on a provider approved treatment plan.
Patient education is a significant component of telenursing. These RNs often work with patients with chronic diseases, like diabetes or heart disease. They help patients learn how to better manage their conditions at home through sound medication management, other at-home treatments, and a healthy lifestyle.
Although telehealth nursing plays a vital role in the healthcare system, it does have limits. Not all health problems can be treated remotely. An effective telehealth RN recognizes which health problems require an in-person appointment and refers their patients accordingly.
Why Virtual Nurses Are in Demand
Telehealth isn’t new, but demand for telehealth nursing increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There remains a strong demand for telehealth services. In 2024, 94% of patients surveyed by Deloitte reported they were interested in having more telehealth visits in the future. In fact, about one in four patients surveyed said they would switch to a new doctor if their current one didn’t offer telehealth services.
How to Become a Telehealth Nurse
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in virtual nursing, Concordia University’s ABSN program can serve as a critical first step.
1. Earn Your BSN in as Few as 15 Months
Through a comprehensive ABSN curriculum that combines nursing coursework with nursing labs and clinical rotations, Concordia University can help you earn a BSN in as few as 15 months. You’ll gain a robust understanding of nursing theory and the hands-on nursing skills you need to confidently care for patients.
ABSN students have the choice between a hybrid program based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, that combines online learning with in-person labs and clinicals, or an entirely in-person program based in Irvine, California. Regardless of the program delivery option, students gain a values-based education that prepares them for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
2. Meet Licensure Requirements
After graduating with a BSN, you’ll need a nursing license, earned by passing the NCLEX-RN. The exam is rigorous and is designed to assess nurse candidates’ clinical judgment, not just memorization of facts. Many questions will require you to determine the most appropriate response to a clinical scenario from a selection of technically correct options.
Preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam should start as soon as possible. Your nursing program will help prepare you; however, you should also review practice questions and start taking practice exams as soon as the first semester. Then, dedicate the months after graduation and leading up to exam day to full-time studying.
Once you pass, you can register with your state’s board of nursing to obtain an RN license.
3. Work as a Registered Nurse
Before you can pursue a career in telehealth, you’ll need clinical experience at the bedside. Plan on spending at least a few years providing in-person clinical care. This experience is crucial because telehealth RNs must have strong patient assessment and patient education skills. Those years of experience providing in-person care will allow you to fine-tune those skills.
As a telehealth nurse, you’ll need to abide by the American Nursing Association standards for safety. You should also have experience in ambulatory care, as it is a significant aspect of telehealth. Ambulatory care is outpatient care and can include responsibilities such as patient assessments and education.
You can become certified through the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nurses (AAACN). Although the AAACN no longer offers a dedicated telehealth certification, the ambulatory care certification is a suitable choice for telehealth RNs, as the exam includes telehealth content. Obtaining this certification may help support your career aspirations in telehealth.
Telehealth Nurse Salary and Career Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t track employment data for RN specialties, such as a telehealth nurse salary. The employment projections for all types of RNs, however, look robust for the foreseeable future. According to the BLS, all RNs made a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024 across all specialties. The job growth rate is projected to be 5% from 2024 through 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Change Your Life in as Few as 15 Months
Concordia University Irvine makes it easier for you to begin your nursing education sooner. With three start dates per year and two program delivery options in Rancho Cucamonga and Irvine, you may start sooner than you think.
Leverage your non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits to earn a BSN in as few as 15 months. Contact us today and connect with an admissions counselor to learn more.