Last Updated on January 29, 2024 by Lori Pace
Although telehealth nursing isn’t new, it has gained more popularity in recent years. Telehealth nursing is a tool that improves healthcare efficacy and patient access to healthcare services.
Telehealth nurses go beyond answering calls and addressing video chat questions. Registered Nurses (RNs) utilize technology for their own personal benefit, for their patients, and for the use of the entire healthcare system. Covid-19 has made it easier for telehealth nurses to be in demand. There is no better time to consider telehealth nursing as your career.
What are the qualifications to become telehealth nurses: duties and responsibilities, or the benefits of this practice? We’ll be discussing how to become a telehealth nurse in this article.
The Academic Qualifications of Telehealth Nursing
Telehealth nurses must not only pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses) but also need to have worked for a few years as additional care providers before they can be remote workers.
Although there isn’t a specific certification that will prepare you for telehealth operations (telehealth nurses), having the ability to care for patients in ambulatory care environments and the knowledge and skills to do so can help propel your career.
Nurses are required to obtain ACNC (Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification), before applying for telehealth jobs. You’ll get your ACNC once you’ve done the following:
- You must have an active RN (Registered Nursing) license in any U.S. State and territory. An equivalent recognized from another country can be used.
- At least two years of experience as a registered nurse.
- Worked at least 2,000 hours in ambulatory healthcare in the last three years.
- Have completed additional ambulatory care training of 30 hours in the last three years.
What Skills Do You Need to A Be a Successful Telehealth Nurse?
Exceptional Listening Skills
A telehealth nurse career is built on listening skills. Because you cannot physically examine a patient, your telehealth nursing career is largely dependent on their words. Listen carefully to what they say. This will help you understand the problem and when to ask for additional information.
Great Communication Skills
Communication skills are essential because they allow you to build rapport with callers and give them the right advice. Sometimes, it can make the difference between life and death. Communication skills are essential to communicate information clearly and effectively with patients so that they understand you fully when you end the call.
Critical Thinking
If you’re to pursue telehealth nursing, you must also be a critical thinker. As a telehealth nurse, you must methodically decide how serious a problem is from the caller’s description. Can they be assisted while at home? Do you need to refer them to another specialist? You also need to interpret the information patients give you quickly and efficiently.
What Are Your Duties as A Telehealth Nurse?
It is not easy to be a telehealth nursing nurse because they shoulder many responsibilities. They can be calming panicky patients or talking them through life-threatening situations. The following are some of the most commonly performed duties:
- Give patients with minor health problems medical advice.
- Schedule appointments for callers with the right physician.
- Inform callers so that they are able to manage symptoms at home.
- Pre- and post-op nursing services.
- Assist in dispatching support teams to transport one of your callers into the hospital.
- Weighing results.
Which Technologies Are Utilized in Telehealth Nursing?
Live Video Conferencing
Telehealth is one of the most popular technologies. Virtual visits with nurses are usually conducted through video chat or phone calls.
The initial stage is live video conferencing and it’s used for the examination of the patient to determine if they require an in-person visit. You can use it as a follow-up for a clinic visit or at-home visit.
RPM (Remote Patient Monitoring)
This technology is crucial because it allows telehealth nurses to access data about a patient’s health. Many gadgets, such as wearables or healthcare apps, can monitor and wirelessly upload data that will be used to assess the patient.
These data can include heart rate, B.P. (blood pressure), and glucose levels. Telehealth nurses can detect changes in patients’ conditions and get them the help they need before they become more serious.
Store-and-Forward
This technology is not like video chats as it doesn’t require real-time interaction. It uses secure channels and servers to retrieve and store vital patient data. These data could include images of a patient’s symptoms and X-Rays or CT-Scans.
A patient might take a photo of the problem (e.g., boil, wounds, rash, pimples, etc.) and send it to the nurse. The nurse or doctor will examine the patient and help to resolve the problem.
How Much Can You Make as A Telehealth Nurse?
According to the U.S. BLS (Bureau of Labor and Statistics), the median salary for a nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing is at least $35 an hour or $73,000 annually. You can make more as you gain experience as a telehealth nursing nurse.
For those with a minimum of ten years of experience, the hourly rate is $30. If you have 20 years of experience in clinical nursing, it could be up to $38. Annual performance reviews may also be a way to increase your salary. If multiple callers consider you to be a great help, you may get an increase in your hourly rate.
To become a telehealth nurse…
As you can see, you will need some skills and qualifications to become a certified telehealth nursing professional. If you are willing to work hard, this can be a great career option. It also pays above-average wages.
