What is telehealth nursing? Telehealth nursing is a career that enables you to provide much-needed care to people who do not have reliable transportation, struggle with chronic disease, or are otherwise unable to receive in-person care. Telehealth nurses typically see patients via a secure video chat.
Thanks to the continued advancements in telecommunications technology and the growing demand for increased access to healthcare, the telehealth industry is expected to continue growing. In fact, the global telehealth industry is projected to grow from just over $94 billion in 2024 to nearly $181 billion by 2030.
At Madonna University, we support our students’ aspirations for a high-tech career in nursing. Madonna’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program offers a hybrid approach to nursing education, with online coursework and hands-on learning in labs fully equipped with cutting-edge technology. Designed for transfer students and career switchers, our ABSN program can be completed in as few as 16 months.
If you’re interested in providing care remotely, you might want to take a closer look at the questions, “What is telehealth nursing?” and “How do I become a telehealth nurse?” Telehealth nursing has many career benefits, such as enabling you to work remotely and reach a wider range of patients. Learn what you can expect from a telehealth nursing career and how you can become one.
Understanding Telehealth Nursing
Think about a typical doctor’s visit: You might have to take time off work, drive to the office, check in, wait in a waiting room, and then wait in the exam room. It can be a hassle for many patients, and logistically difficult for others. This is why many people turn to telehealth to meet certain healthcare needs.
What is telehealth nursing? It’s a remote model of care in which providers can connect to patients without having to be in the same physical location. Telehealth nurses can interview patients, monitor vital signs, and talk patients through addressing minor injuries, such as burns or scrapes. They can also assess maladies like rashes or allergic reactions and explain treatment and medication plans to patients.
Check out these 10 tips for getting into nursing school.]
The Benefits of Telehealth for Patients and Nurses
The benefits of telehealth technology extend to both patients and nurses.
Top Benefits for Patients
The top benefit for patients is the increased access to care. Telehealth nurses can treat patients regardless of their location. This is a huge advantage for patients who live in rural locations, those with chronic diseases, people who have limited movement, or those who are physically unable to receive treatment in person.
For example, it’s not always safe for an immunocompromised patient to go to a hospital where they will be exposed to germs.
Additionally, telehealth nurses can offer care in schools that cannot staff an on-campus nurse. They can also provide care in hospitals that need to mitigate overcrowded emergency rooms and long waiting times. Both of these strategies further increase access to care for patients.
Other top benefits of telehealth nursing for patients include:
- Greater convenience and flexibility
- No need to spend time or gas money driving to a clinic
- Promotes early detection of health problems
- Allows patients to receive care in a comfortable, private setting
- Reduces exposure to pathogens
Additionally, telehealth nursing can empower patients to become more active participants in their own care. Patients may be encouraged to seek care when they otherwise would go untreated.
Compelling Benefits for Nurses
Just as telehealth offers greater flexibility to patients, it also provides this advantage to nurses. Many nurses provide telehealth services to patients from a hospital or clinic, but some can work at home. For these nurses, telehealth eliminates the need for a commute and promotes greater work-life balance.
Telehealth can also improve the efficiency of a healthcare system, allowing nurses to see more patients, reduce wait times, and decrease the strain on the healthcare system. It reduces nurses’ exposure to pathogens from patients and allows them to proactively encourage patient compliance with chronic condition management guidelines.
Telehealth Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
Before considering how to become a telehealth nurse, you may be interested in the telehealth nurse salary expectations and the job growth rate. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track employment data for telehealth nurses specifically, but it does provide salary information for all types of RNs. According to the BLS, RNs made a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024. Additionally, the job growth rate for all types of RNs is expected to increase by 5% from 2024 through 2034, which is faster than the average. This indicates that, on average, approximately 189,100 openings for RNs are expected each year
How to Become a Telehealth Nurse
To become a telehealth nurse, you’ll first need to reach out to an admissions representative to start the admissions process. At Madonna University, we provide personalized support throughout each step of the admissions process.
1. Earn a BSN
The first step on your career path toward becoming a telehealth nurse is to earn your BSN. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, Madonna can help expedite this process. Through the ABSN program, you can earn a BSN in as few as 16 months after completing any needed prerequisites.
Rather than spending years earning your nursing degree, we offer a comprehensive curriculum on an accelerated timeline that doesn't compromise quality. You’ll work through online classes and in-person labs and clinical rotations to learn everything you need to be an effective nurse.
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2. Meet Licensure Requirements
After earning your BSN, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain your nursing license. Future telehealth nurses may want to apply for a multistate nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses who reside in an NLC member state can utilize their multistate license to practice in any other member state, which is particularly beneficial for telehealth nurses.
While Michigan is not yet an NLC member as of 2025, pending legislation would allow the state to join the NLC.
3. Gain Experience as an RN
Before you transition to a career as a telehealth nurse, it’s important to gain a year or two of clinical experience as a registered nurse. This might even be a requirement for some employers. Once you have experience in providing care at the bedside, you’ll be ready to become an effective telehealth nurse.
4. Meet Competency Standards
Telehealth nurses practice within the American Nursing Association standards for safety. Because telehealth nurses treat patients who are in ambulatory care settings, it’s vital that they have the knowledge and skills necessary for providing ambulatory care. You can obtain certification through the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing. This professional certification demonstrates your competency in this area.
5. Research Telehealth Positions and Apply
You’ll have many options for telehealth employment. You could work for a school system, providing rural schools with telehealth care as a remote school nurse. You could work for a healthcare facility or hospital, or you could offer accessible care through a pharmacy.
Change Lives in as Few as 16 Months
If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits, you may be eligible to apply to Madonna University’s ABSN program. Here, you’ll enjoy a values-based nursing education that offers small class sizes, personalized support, and Academic Success Coaches to facilitate your progress.
Contact an admissions representative today to learn more and get started. We offer rolling admissions with no wait list required, so you can get started sooner.