Nursing has taken a wild turn over the last two years. Being a nurse or CNA is a demanding and rewarding profession. Nurses and CNAs are some of the most dedicated and hardworking professionals in the healthcare industry. They work long hours, often under challenging and stressful conditions. However, not all nursing jobs are created equal.
This blog post will explore five popular nursing jobs that offer flexible schedules.
As a nurse, it’s common for friends or family to call for a “quick consult.” How severe is the rash on my face? Or, when is my kid’s fever too high? Well, imagine answering those calls as part of your job.
Healthcare providers and patients alike have embraced telehealth medical care to deliver quality and positive outcomes. Although telehealth nursing has been around for over two decades, when the pandemic forced doors across the country to close, telehealth nursing improved patient access to care, avoided exposure to illness, and continued the necessary management of chronic conditions.
Telehealth nursing allows nurses to carry out responsibilities via computers, mobile phones, and tablets to provide health care and patient education. Telehealth nursing is available in different fields and specialties.
Common types of telehealth nursing include:
Nurses and patients can interact in real-time via video chat. These encounters are on specific, secure platforms similar to Skype or Zoom. Video conferencing has been helpful for basic consultations, chronic care needs, patient education sessions, or follow-up care after a procedure or hospitalization.
Nurses can monitor certain conditions or needs with electronic devices and specific software. This technology is efficient in rural areas where travel to a facility is tedious.
Healthcare facilities have developed programs and presentations that use tablets, TVs, and videos to educate patients and their families or caregivers.
Since telehealth nursing incorporates current technology into healthcare practices, nurses can do many telehealth roles from home. This convenience helps nurses who do not want to work long shifts, commute through traffic, or have staffing conflicts. While there will always be a need for medical facilities and clinics, healthcare services are becoming increasingly available remotely.
If you want to combine your knowledge of healthcare and love for computers, this could be a perfect non-bedside nursing role for you.
Informatics nurses assist with developing electronic medical records (EMR) software, medical systems, and computerized order entries. Informatics nurses refine health systems and processes, further improving health outcomes.
Informatics nurses can work in various areas, including healthcare organizations or technology companies. Due to the ongoing growth of technology in the healthcare industry, the demand for informatics nurses is expected to grow. According to Indeed, an informatics nurse is the highest-paid remote nursing job.
Informatics nurses can work from home but require specific internet and home office setups. Many employers have adjusted to allowing informatics teams to work remotely with access to computer files and the ability to communicate through webinars.
Nurse consultants work with businesses, organizations, and government agencies to advocate for patients, improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Nurse consultants identify problems, develop workable solutions, and help patients and families navigate healthcare. Nurse consulting includes offering medical education and developing customized care plans for patients.
There are three types of nurse consultants:
Nurse consultants can work for an agency or start their own business. Working for an agency may require considering travel time for work and engaging with specific health care providers, hospitals, or practices. Nurse consultants work remotely from a home office and have the flexibility to design their schedules.
Nurses are still known to be the most trusted profession. Patients gravitate towards nurses. Nurses are skillful at developing rapport with patients they encounter and are known to be genuine, supportive, and kind.
According to the American Holistic Nurses Association, nurse coaching uses skilled, purposeful, results-oriented interaction to promote successfully achieving clients' goals. Nurse coaches use coaching principles to encourage growth, healing, and well-being. They’re also essential to the healthcare team, especially in disease prevention and health promotion.
Nurse health coaches can work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, insurance companies, community centers, schools, and businesses. Nurses can do health coaching independently, allowing them to work from home and manage their own schedules.
When people read healthcare information, it must be clear and accurate. So why not have a nurse write it?
Nurse writers are emerging to provide content writing services to various healthcare businesses. Nurses are knowledgeable with valuable insight into many aspects of the healthcare field. Nurse writers are needed for journals, websites, blog articles, news, educational courses, and other entities. An experienced nurse writer can strongly aid in delivering messages and educating a diverse audience.
Nurse writers can now make an impact using the internet through social media, blogging, educational courses, podcasts, and other digital sources. Healthcare professionals and marketing professionals rely on the expertise of nurses to validate the information or message they want to convey.
If you're a nurse of CNA looking for a more flexible schedule, there are plenty of great options available. The healthcare industry is full of nontraditional nursing opportunities that can provide the work-life balance so many nurses long for. With various jobs available, you're sure to find one that's a perfect fit for your skillset and lifestyle.
Written by: Judy Campbell
Judy Campbell is a Registered Nurse with 15 years of experience in the nursing field. She has worked in various care settings, but currently enjoys working as a case manager and helping to coordinate care for patients across different healthcare settings. As a certified case manager, Judy understands the importance of creating a cohesive and manageable health system, and she aims to assist in this transformation. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
