just wanted to ask for tips and anyone who could share to me interview questions that I should prepare to answer? Thanks in Advance!

I have been exploring this option, and have but one interview left before being an Advice Nurse is a definite possibility.

I have heard a few nurses talk about being able to take calls from their home.

Please share what you know about this process.

I can imagine that it would take a certain length of time before this would be possible. Perhaps it is based on seniority, as many things are at Kaiser?

Thanks for any info. It is greatly appreciated, and will get my mind off of the burnout I feel from being at the bedside.

I've done bedside nursing for 9 years, 6 years of it in the ED, 3 years in med-surg/tele. Remote nursing would be completely new. I thought telephone triage could be a possibility. I don't know much about it though, the requirements or could there be other work options that I haven't thought of. Each situation is different but I'd like to hear what is out there. Do stay at home nurse moms exist? 

What Is Remote Nurse Triage?

Remote nurse triage is an innovative way of providing medical care from a distance, using modern technology to connect nurses with patients who need assistance. Remote triage nursing takes care to a whole new level, offering patients personalized and convenient care from the comfort of their own homes. As remote triage involves telephone-based communication, it is ideal for patients who cannot access care facilities in person. Remote triage has many benefits for nurses performing the triage and for patients who need care. Remote triage nurses work from home to assess their patients over the phone. Have you ever looked at the back of your health insurance card to see if your insurance company offers a nurse advice line? When you call this line, you're speaking with a triage nurse who helps assess your symptoms and assists you in making decisions about whether your symptoms can be treated at home, or if you need a higher level of care. Triage nurses also offer wellness care and can answer many questions about health, diet, exercise, or finding the right specialist to treat your symptoms.

Nurses with a broad knowledge of various areas of nursing thrive in remote triage. Those who have experience in critical care and/or emergency nursing are especially sought after, as they have seen a multitude of illnesses and injuries and will be well prepared to address the wide variety of calls that come into a nurse triage line. You may have a call about a child's diaper rash immediately followed by a call about a man in his 60s with acute onset chest pain. You have to be able to pivot quickly. Nurses who have experience in pediatrics also do well in this role, as many calls that come in are from concerned parents regarding their sick children. Experience in med/surg is also valuable, as these nurses have seen their share of chronic disease management, such as diabetes and COPD. Nurses with experience in surgery do well in this role, as they are able to assist patients who call with concerns about upcoming surgeries or patients who have questions as they recover from recent surgical procedures. Remote triage companies provide nurses with triage protocols to follow, which guide them in asking the right questions, but their nursing experience, judgment, and critical thinking skills are key components in determining their success in the role of the remote triage nurse.

Benefits of Working in This Specialty

Remote nurse triage can allow for quicker patient triage, faster care, and improved outcomes. Remote nurses assist patients in treating minor illnesses at home, but they also advise patients when they should seek emergency care. Nurses in this role have opportunities to save lives every day. Working remotely also benefits nurses who are looking for more work-life balance. Working at home allows nurses to skip the commute, and who doesn't enjoy working in their comfy clothes? Nurses who work remotely also report that they enjoy the new skills and expertise they gain when taking on this role. Telehealth technology gives nurses an opportunity to interact more with their patients, which boosts their job satisfaction.

Challenges and Solutions

Make no mistake: working in remote triage has its challenges. Accurately assessing a patient without any physical contact can be tough at times, especially when the patient has difficulty conveying their symptoms. The nurse has to be able to listen to the patient and, many times, probe deeper to get an understanding of exactly what is going on. There is certainly a detective component to this role. Establishing a strong rapport with patients from the beginning of the call goes a long way to forming a trusting bond and showing the patient that they are safe to share the details of their current health situation with you. Establishing this kind of trust in a small amount of time, and over digital platforms, can be intimidating, but once you have a system that works for you, it becomes second nature to establish trust and move right into your role as the patient's advocate. Ensuring data security and privacy when using online tools is important, and your employer will have protocols in place that will help you protect your patient's personal health information.

Technology and Tools Needed for Success in Remote Triage

Most nurses who begin a career in remote triage will need a few pieces of equipment to get started. A computer or laptop, a webcam, and a headset with a microphone. Consider waiting until you have secured a job before purchasing these things, as they are often provided for you. Many employers request that you have a room with a door so you are able to protect your patients' personal health information. A reliable internet connection is essential in this position. You want to be able to conduct your calls without internet lags or dropped calls, which can frustrate and even endanger your patients. You may also need video conferencing software for virtual meetings as required by your employer.

Tips for Providing Effective Remote Triage Care

A comfortable office space is important for you as a nurse and for your patients as well. If you are physically comfortable and have everything you need at your fingertips, your patients will have your full attention and can enjoy a safe triage call with you. It is also important to understand the benefits and limitations of remote triage care. Many times, triage nurses have to suggest that EMS be dispatched or that a patient should arrange transport to an emergency department due to the severity of their symptoms. There are some illnesses and injuries that simply cannot be treated over the phone, and patients rely on their nurse's expertise to assist them in determining the appropriate level of care for their needs. In contrast, countless trips to the emergency room can be avoided by connecting with a remote triage nurse who can provide accurate and timely advice about a patient's required level of care, based on their symptoms. Clear communication with a patient promotes the patient's confidence in the information you relay to them. Always take the time to ensure the patient understands your care advice.

Am I Qualified for This Type of Work?

To excel as a remote triage nurse, it is necessary to possess a nursing degree and a corresponding license in the state where you are taking calls. If you are taking calls from multiple states, you may need additional nursing licenses. Your employer will advise you about their licensing policies. You will have specialized training in remote triage before beginning your work in this role. It is important that you have strong oral communication skills for this position, as you will be speaking with patients as the main component of your position. It is helpful if you are able to type while speaking, as many employers expect you to chart and speak with the patient simultaneously. Your responsibilities will revolve around your ability to ask questions and provide guidance based on your patient's answers. You can ensure quality patient care while working remotely by following your employer's guidelines and the protocols they have in place for conducting triage. Your employer will guide you in constructing an effective triage process designed to follow their guidelines.

Where to Find Remote Nurse Triage Jobs

With the increasing prevalence of telehealth, remote triage jobs have become a popular choice for nurses. To find jobs in this area, research remote triage job postings through job search websites and social media. Network with recruiters and staffing agencies to find remote nurse triage positions and utilize online forums and nursing associations for advice on finding the remote triage job that is right for you.

Remote nurse triage is a relatively new concept in the healthcare industry, but it's one that is quickly gaining popularity. This was especially true after the COVID pandemic forced medical providers to devise creative solutions for home care. The benefits of remote nurse triage include increasing patients' access to medical care, reducing travel time and costs, and improving care quality. When executed well, remote triage can be a life-saving specialty, equipping nurses with the capability to evaluate and provide appropriate care advice to their patients. Working in remote triage requires a wide range of medical knowledge and experience; however, with the right training and support system in place, you can be a successful remote triage nurse. Remote triage nursing is an exciting opportunity to provide life-saving medical care from the comfort of your own home.

With the ability to assess, treat and monitor patients virtually, this innovative profession has the power to revolutionize healthcare.

Resources

What is telehealth?

What Is a Remote Triage Nurse and How to Become One

Is a Remote Nursing Job Right for You?

I recently decided to go back to work and got a part-time job in a busy, well respected multi-provider pediatric practice as an advice nurse. We use Barton-Schmitt protocols, and I got the book about 2 weeks before my first official day, which was last TH.

Long story short, after being there for 2 days, I feel like I know nothing! The protocol book is overwhelming and the EMR is very confusing (even the experienced nurses say it's hard to learn, and they just started using it in Sept).

I am studying the protocols every free minute, but feel my common sense has gone right out the window. I'm hoping it gets better with time, but I think I'm just feeling surprised at how inadequate and nervous I am after being a nurse for so long. I feel like they expect more because I look good on paper and interview well. Maybe they thought I was better than I really am? I was confident in my abilities until I started!

Any advice would be helpful!!

For example... all chest pain calls, all weakness on one side of the body, all seizure activity, all trauma...

Does anyone use a list like this that would be helpful in guiding the folks who answer the phone as to who to route to triage?

Thank you!

Are there any companies/areas who hire American nurses living abroad? So far, people seem to take issue with the fact that I live out of the country. 

I was hired as a Triage/Advice Nurse in Feb of last year and suffered an acoustic incident on the job in May. I worked in a small call center environment, and the positions have been moved to remote due to COVID after my injury. I was exposed to extremely loud noise via headset. It was so loud a nurse 2 cubicles over (spaced out due to COVID) could hear it. As a result of the acoustic incident I now have disabling acoustic trauma, pain hyperacusis, permanent tinnitus and have developed trigeminal neuralgia. Worker's comp, all the fun... I've worked all kinds of light duty across the hospital system and that has been pretty interesting. Anyway...

I am on baclofen and nortriptyline. I am unable to have prolonged conversations, I'm sensitive to sounds most people consider normal. As COVID restrictions ease, I won't be able to enjoy going to restaurants, movies, concerts, busy streets, etc. My quality of life has been greatly diminished. I can't do the dishes, husband opens wrap packages while I wait in another room, the fridge is an enemy now, etc. I have noise cancellation devices and they help, but they don't keep me numbness or pain free, just ease my symptoms. 

Per management I was the only person they've seen suffering with this issue, but research shows otherwise. There was no education about acoustic shock or trauma during orientation or at any other time. I asked my employer to investigate how this happened and they haven't taken ownership of this. 

Does your department offer any education about acoustic shock or how to protect your ears? If you have examples you can share I would love to see them. This is a real risk for staff who are on the phones for hours and I would like to see what is your department doing to advocate for you. I think ear protection should be a a part of triage/advice employee education. 

My department will return back to the office after COVID restrictions ease. 

I have found a number of sources touching on acoustic shock and since I am not posting articles I will just post titles and you can Google at your own convenience. 

"Reducing Noise Hazards for Call and Dispatch Center Operators" NIOSH (attached as PDF)
"Demographic Patterns of Acoustic Shock Syndrome as Seen in a Large Call Centre" (attached as PDF)

Also search: 

"ACOUSTIC SHOCK AND HEARING DAMAGE WITH CALL CENTRE AGENTS" poly blog (previously Plantronics) 
"Acoustic Shock" by hear-it.org

NIOSH - Reducing Noise Hazards for Call and Dispatch Center Operators.pdf

demographic-patterns-of-acoustic-shock-syndrome-as-seen-in-a-large-call-centre-2329-6879-1000212.pdf

1) How do you not follow through with what happens to the patient?

2) Are you often challenged by people at the practices you triage for?

3) Do you feel like you've been hired as a call center agent and not a nurse?

I'm struggling with this job. I've been a nurse for over 10 years now and enjoy this telephone triage nursing but I have a boss who is all business and doesn't comprehend a nurse's need to follow through and make sure her pt she spoke with was cared for. I've also been told not to leave messages with doctors but with the MA's who don't always pass the message on to the doctor. I'm afraid of my license becoming jeopardized because someone else isn't acting with the same concern for the patient that I am. I fear I'll be fired tomorrow for leaving an important message with a doctor because the MA chose not to pass it on to the doctor. The doctor needs to know because (and I'm not being dramatic) the patient could die. My boss tells me I did my part and now it's on them. I can't live with that. Any advice would be appreciated.