Becoming a telehealth nurse is an excellent path for those looking for work flexibility within a patient care role. The steps to enter the field include applying to nursing school, earning your BSN, passing the NCLEX, getting licensed, working as a bedside nurse and transitioning to a telehealth role.
Telehealth nursing has received a lot of attention in recent years, emerging as a way for nurses to work remotely and have greater schedule flexibility. If you’re looking to enter the field and become a telehealth nurse, the process is straightforward.
To become a telehealth nurse, you’ll first need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which you can earn in as few as 16 months through an accelerated nursing program like the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at CSP Global.
This blog will discuss what these nurses do and the five-step process to becoming a telehealth nurse.
What Is a Telehealth Nurse?
In our digital age, the accessibility of telehealth has changed the face of healthcare forever, and nurses play a major role in this emerging industry. Telehealth nurses care for patients remotely, generally communicating through video calls. Nurses may interact with patients who are in a variety of locations across the country, including:
- Homes
- Workplaces
- Schools
- Clinics
- Hospitals
- Long term care
Because of the wide availability of telehealth services, these nurses can reach patients who may otherwise struggle to access quality medical care. For example, patients may have limited transportation options or mobility concerns that make travel challenging. Patients may live in rural settings far from specialty care or be busy professionals who prefer to meet with their healthcare providers via video call on their lunch break.
Telehealth nurses can have a variety of roles within healthcare, such as:
- Interviewing patients regarding their symptoms
- Gathering health histories
- Monitoring patient status and checking vitals
- Explaining diagnoses and treatment plans
Demand for Telehealth Nurses
In recent years since the COVID-19 pandemic, the telehealth industry has seen a significant boom, which is expected to continue. Between 2023 and 2030, the global telehealth industry is expected to have a compound annual growth rate of 24%. With the rising demand for accessible telehealth, the need for qualified nurses will also grow.
How to Become a Telehealth Nurse
Now that you know more about what telehealth nurses do, let’s get into the process of becoming one. To start your path to an in-demand career, use these five steps to become a telehealth nurse.
1. Research Nursing Programs and Apply
Before choosing a nursing program, you’ll want to research where to attend school. There are many factors to consider, the first of which is what degree you want to earn. Many options exist, ranging from associate to bachelor’s to master’s or doctorate degrees.
If you aim to become a telehealth nurse, we recommend you earn a BSN degree. The benefits of a BSN are far-reaching, and it will set you up for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and a clinical nursing career.
Other factors to consider before applying to a nursing program include the following:
- Accreditation and state approval
- Admissions requirements
- Number of yearly start dates
- Program location
- Availability of online learning
- NCLEX pass rates
- Quality and quantity of skills labs and clinical learning experiences
Use these six tips for applying to accelerated nursing school to increase your chances of getting in.
2. Earn a BSN
Once you’re accepted into the Accelerated BSN program, you’ll be ready to start earning your degree. CSP Global’s ABSN program offers two locations: Portland, Oregon, and St. Paul, Minnesota. The ABSN program includes a mix of online courses, skills labs and clinical learning experiences. The curriculum consists of four semesters spanning 16 months. The program will prepare you to sit for the NCLEX and start your clinical nursing career.
How does the accelerated nursing program work? Here’s what to expect in CSP Global’s ABSN program.
3. Pass the NCLEX and Get Your RN License
After graduating from the ABSN program, the next step to becoming a telehealth nurse is passing the NCLEX and receiving your registered nurse (RN) license. The NCLEX is a comprehensive exam that tests your ability to make patient care decisions and prioritize appropriately. Plan to set aside plenty of time to study for the exam.
The CSP Global ABSN program will prepare you for the NCLEX starting in the first semester of nursing school. Once you pass the NCLEX and meet any other state nursing requirements, you’ll be eligible for your RN license.
4. Work as a Bedside Nurse
If you’re wondering how to become a telehealth nurse, you may be curious about why you’ll need to work as a bedside nurse first. The reason is simple: before working as a telehealth nurse, you need experience working as a nurse.
Telehealth nurses consult in a variety of healthcare settings, ranging from the clinic to the hospital to public health. You must understand the workflow of healthcare settings to be qualified to consult remotely. Therefore, most telehealth nursing jobs require at least two years of professional nursing experience in your preferred specialty.
5. Transition to a Telehealth Nursing Role
Once you’ve earned your nursing degree and gained experience in a clinical setting, you’re ready to enter the world of telehealth nursing. It’s time to start applying for telehealth roles in your desired specialty. You have the skills and experience needed to successfully care for patients in a remote setting.
If you want additional certification to build your resume, there is no specific telehealth nursing certification. However, the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification is a great option and relevant to much of the work you’ll do as a telehealth nurse.
Take the Next Step Toward a Nursing Career
Now that you know how to become a telehealth nurse, it’s time to start your journey. The ABSN program at CSP Global can help you achieve your professional goals quickly by earning your BSN in as few as 16 months.
If you have at least 54 non-nursing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, the accelerated nursing program may be an ideal fit for you. Plus, you can choose from three yearly start dates and our two locations, in Portland and St. Paul.
See how relocating for nursing school can help you earn your degree faster.
Contact our admissions counselors to learn more about starting your telehealth nursing journey and earning your BSN from CSP Global.