Yes, working remote with no direct patient care is worth it

Published

For anyone considering a remote - work from home position that does not require direct patient care feel free to message me or ask me questions here.

For a VERY long time I have wanted out of direct patient care in any form, away from the 12+ hr  shifts and all that goes along with it.

The M-F positions were better but still not what I wanted - which was 100% remote, working from home. Took me some time but I finally landed a position and could not be happier. Unless something major happens I will stay in this position for years. Which is saying a lot since I job hopped frequently before.

Working remote is not for nurses who like the stress of the hospital, it's not for nurses who like the celebrating holidays, birthdays, free meals that come with working in an MD office or being BFFs with some of the people at the office, it is not for nurses who don't want to work but just get paid.

It is for nurses who are mature, trustworthy and want flexibility, are  proactive without being micromanaged. Yes, there are benefits like health and PTO.

Being a  more introverted nurse this position works well for me in that my interaction w/patients and families is via email/text or telephone - same with my coworkers - so it a breeze for me. 

Not having to work the 12+ hr shifts, juggling multiple patients, dealing w/doctors, families, mountains of paperwork and other disciplines is a huge plus. I am not knocking working in the hospital or an MD office or anywhere else, but what I am saying is for those that none of that seems to fit, there is a place for you. I found it and it's wonderful.

For the first time in MANY years I am actually excited again about being a nurse and see a future w/my employer. I didn't expect this opportunity but I am grateful for it beyond words.

 

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

What kind of work are you doing exactly? How did you land the position? Is the pay comparable to what you were making before?

FolksBtrippin said:

What kind of work are you doing exactly? How did you land the position? Is the pay comparable to what you were making before?

I'm an after hours on call nurse coordinator for a company that provides private care in homes (not a home health agency). I handle issues if an employee is injured, questions a client may have about medications or if they are ill and uncertain if they need to go to the ER or if there is something we can manage at home. It is not an emergency service nor so I see patients face to face, its via phone. 

I saw the position posted on the company web site I use to work for (they are in several states and have several companies). I reached out to my former boss to let her know I was interested and applied. It was a position they were thinking 2 or 3 people would share but because I wanted full time hours I am the only one in the position (I offered to work every day). I take call from 5p to 9 a M-F then the whole weekend. I am paid a base rate for just being on call then any calls I actually have or other work I do I am paid an hourly rate and get full benefits. The company provides all the training (which was also remote) and all computer equiptment. No traveling involved. I did have to upgrade my single license to compact as I cover 3 states.

The company people are super helpful, responsive and professional. It's truly the best job I've had in years.

I don't have an active social life, I prefer to be home w/my spouse and pets and this checks all the boxes. My days are free and even if I am going to be out after 5 I just take my laptop with me. Though evenings can get a bit busy, during the night its always quite. I plan to remain in this position until I retire.

 

 

Specializes in ICU,CCU,Med/Surg,LTC.

I agree. I love working from home! I have worked off and on from home since 2020 but full time for the last 18 months. I do remote patient monitoring and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! After 25 years of bedside and other patient/family facing positions I can't imagine ever leaving this job! I have a compact license and they do require several of the non-compact licenses, but my company pays for them. I did take a rather large pay cut from bedside but I have no stress with this position and I get health insurance and PTO. I found all of my remote positions on INDEED. Just keep applying!

jadedRN04 said:

I agree. I love working from home! I have worked off and on from home since 2020 but full time for the last 18 months. I do remote patient monitoring and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! After 25 years of bedside and other patient/family facing positions I can't imagine ever leaving this job! I have a compact license and they do require several of the non-compact licenses, but my company pays for them. I did take a rather large pay cut from bedside but I have no stress with this position and I get health insurance and PTO. I found all of my remote positions on INDEED. Just keep applying!

I took a pretty large paycut too but like you said, 100% worth it.  can afford basics which is enough for me. I'd rather have my time, low stress than a higher paying job that isn't a good fit or is overwhelming. 

My company also requires compact license and is going to reimburse me the costs as well. Indeed is definitely the site to look for positions like we have. I have zero interest in ever returning to direct patient care.

Specializes in OR.

Congrats on your remote position.
What type of nursing do you do for the remote position? Would you be able to suggests a couple of companies that are good to work for remotely? Thank you

Specializes in OR.

I had one more question, does anyone know where to find jobs as a Federal Nurse Surveyor? Have any of you done this job? Any pros or cons? Thank you 

Marshall1 said:

My company also requires compact license and is going to reimburse me the costs as well. 

Interesting point about reimbursement.  I'm curious, since home office expenses are no longer deductible do they also reimburse for any of that?  For example if you had to get a dedicated phone line or upgrade internet speed?  

Specializes in OR.

How do I message you

LRT said:

I had one more question, does anyone know where to find jobs as a Federal Nurse Surveyor? Have any of you done this job? Any pros or cons? Thank you 

I have not worked as a Federal Nurse Surveyor. Most surveyor positions require a LOT of experience and some certifications. I would think you could look on usajobs.gov for those positions.

LRT said:

How do I message you

I think you just click my name and can message from there.

mdsRN2005 said:

Interesting point about reimbursement.  I'm curious, since home office expenses are no longer deductible do they also reimburse for any of that?  For example if you had to get a dedicated phone line or upgrade internet speed?  

Some companies do I know but mine doe not. They don't require a dedicated phone line - which is good as I live rural and those aren't available anymore where I live.

 The company does pay for the phone number that is through an app for me to call/receive calls so my personal number isn't used, they supply all computer equiptment as well.

LRT said:

Congrats on your remote position.
What type of nursing do you do for the remote position? Would you be able to suggests a couple of companies that are good to work for remotely? Thank you

I handle after hours calls for home care (not home health) clients. It's not an emergecy service, more like support/advice for questions/concerns that may come up after hours/weekends.

You can go to Indeed.com or Glassdoor.com and search for remote nursing jobs. Many are out there but the requirements vary greatly - for instance some require case management certification, others not, some require bilingual skills, others not, some require compact licenses, some not..etc. I've never seen any that offer sponsorship for VISAs.

+ Join the Discussion