Remote jobs for registered nurses that can pay up to US$109,518 a year

In the last few years, remote jobs for registered nurses have become more popular and accessible. 

Working from home, a once-distant if not downright impossible dream for healthcare professionals, has now become an option — due in part to advances in telemedicine technology and the surge in remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The shift to virtual healthcare options has allowed registered nurses to extend their expertise beyond the traditional clinical settings. Now, they can provide essential services such as telephone support, case management, and patient education — all from their own homes without compromising the quality of healthcare provided. 

It’s life made easier not just for registered nurses but for the elderly, immunocompromised, and rural patients too. Through this, they get easier access to healthcare services without the need for in-person visits.

A 2021 McKinsey & Company study even reveals that telehealth usage increased over 38 times from pre-pandemic levels. Another study conducted in 2022 showed that telemedicine visits in the US are about 40 times more frequent than before the pandemic — proof that many doctor’s visits can be virtualised.

Demand for remote jobs for registered nurses

As patients become more comfortable with telemedicine, companies are increasingly offering work-from-home positions for registered nurses to meet the demand.

For many nurses, the main appeal of remote work is the flexibility and work-life balance. Most importantly, it’s the right step toward reducing stress and preventing burnout — the second being an unavoidable and huge concern in the healthcare industry. 

As many as 91.1% of nurses experience high levels of burnout, and many are seeking less strenuous roles that allow them to focus on patient care in a less physically demanding way.

It’s tough work being a nurse, but the rewards have oftentimes been worth it. That is until you get burned out from the demands of the job. Source: AFP

In 2023, the New York Times published an article titled, “Nurses are burned out. Can hospitals in US change in time to keep them?” It highlighted the stories of burned-out nurses, showcasing the reality of what drove these professionals to quit their jobs or shift their roles within the industry.

One interviewee, Kelly Schmidt, had spent 25 years working in the newborn intensive care unit before the pandemic shook the world and her career. Soon enough, she “emotionally started feeling like a robot.”

“I don’t want people to think the job I left was a bad job,” said Schmidt in the interview. “It was just time for me to go. I’ve had other colleagues say, ‘I don’t want to leave my job hating it,’ so they retire early. I didn’t want to leave my job hating it. I wanted to leave on a high note.”

If you’re interested in exploring remote nursing positions, telehealth companies like AIM Specialty Health, AmeriHealth Caritas, and CVS Health frequently hire registered nurses for roles that can be done from home. 

8 remote jobs for registered nurses, from lowest to highest pay

Disclaimer: All the roles listed below require you to be a licenced registered nurse. 

Nurse writers can work for many employers, such as hospitals, non-profit organizations, medical journals, film studios or academic papers. Source: AFP

1. Freelance nurse writer

If you enjoy writing and have a clinical background, one of the best remote jobs for registered nurses to consider is being a freelance nurse writer. 

In this role, your medical knowledge is used to create content for healthcare organisations or pharmaceutical companies. Nurse writers produce various materials, from journal articles and patient guides to promotional materials and website content. 

Due to the topic’s complexities, your nursing expertise will ensure that complicated medical information is conveyed accurately and made understandable for the regular, non-medical jargon-speaking person. 

According to ZipRecruiter, freelance nurse writers earn around US$48,412 annually. 

A legal nurse consultant (LNC) is a registered nurse who uses their medical expertise to advise on legal cases. Source: AFP

2. Legal nurse consultant 

As a legal nurse consultant, you’ll use your nursing expertise to assist attorneys and legal teams in understanding the medical aspects of cases. Legal nurse consultants work primarily on cases related to personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers’s compensation. You can also consult on federal health insurance, claims, and product liability cases. 

Here, your responsibilities involve reviewing medical records, analysing evidence, preparing case reports, and providing testimony. 

For example, if you are assigned to work on personal injury cases in your law firm, you will need to review the medical records of your injured client. After examining the documents, you must determine if the treatment aligns with the injuries claimed. Your decision could influence the outcome of the case. 

On top of already being a registered nurse, some legal nurse consultants complete certifications in Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC) to enhance their qualifications. 

According to ZipRecruiter, a remote legal nurse consultant earns around US$87,681 annually.

Remote nurses can help people in rural areas by improving access to healthcare services. Source: AFP

3. Nurse health coach 

Next on the list of top remote jobs for registered nurses is a career as a nurse health coach. In this role, you will support your clients and help them reach their wellness goals through guidance, motivation, and advice. 

The focus here is on preventative care, so the work revolves around helping your clients develop healthier habits, manage chronic illnesses, and make lifestyle changes to improve their well-being. 

Many in this role work with corporate wellness programmes where you will coach employees on stress management, nutrition, and physical fitness. This involves conducting video calls, creating health plans, and tracking their progress. This is a great remote job as you will have the freedom to connect with clients near and far.

According to Glassdoor, nurse health coaches earn around US$92,945 per year.

4. Informatics nurse

If you’ve got a knack for IT, this one’s for you. As an informatics nurse, you combine nursing knowledge with technical expertise and build systems that make healthcare safer and more efficient.

For example, if you work remotely for a healthcare organisation, you could be responsible for configuring the electronic health record (EHR) software to track patient outcomes, collaborating with IT teams to develop patient portals, or designing training materials to help staff use new systems. 

To pursue a career in nursing informatics, you need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). However, many employers prefer candidates with a Master’s in Nursing Informatics or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus on informatics.

According to ZipRecruiter, an informatics nurse earns around US$98,409 a year.

Nurses working remotely experience less burnout than those working in clinics and hospitals. Source: AFP

5. Case manager 

One of the best remote jobs for registered nurses is the role of a case manager. As a case manager, you will work directly with patients, healthcare providers, and sometimes even insurance companies to help manage a patient’s care plan.

Your goal is to ensure that all your patients receive quality care. This means assessing their needs, developing a treatment plan, coordinating with the necessary services, and monitoring their progress. Through it all, you’re always advocating for the best possible outcomes.

To become a case manager, some experience working in a clinic or a hospital is preferred. Some employees even require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a certification in case management, such as a Certified Case Manager (CCM) credential. 

According to Glassdoor, a registered nurse case manager earns around US$99,656 annually. 

6. Nurse Educator

As a nurse educator, you have the opportunity to shape the next generation of nurses by teaching them skills, health management strategies, and foundational medical knowledge. 

This is one of the best remote jobs for registered nurses as you can educate nursing students through online courses, teach healthcare staff through online training sessions, or create educational materials for online nursing programmes. 

Better yet, many online programmes use interactive platforms to track student progress, provide feedback, and engage in real-time discussions, allowing you to teach without needing to be in a physical classroom.

Remote nurse educators work for hospitals, universities, or private companies focused on healthcare education. They play an essential role in curriculum development, student mentoring, and assessing learning outcomes.

To become a nurse educator, you will need an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). 

According to ZipRecruiter, remote nurse educators earn around US$102,263 a year.

7. Telehealth Nurse

Telemedicine has created a convenient way for patients to access healthcare. As a telehealth nurse, you play an important role in patient care by providing assessments, guidance, and support through phone or video calls. You will use these avenues to evaluate symptoms, answer questions, and offer advice. 

You could also support patients with chronic illnesses, helping them stay on top of medication schedules or understand their treatment plans. This role benefits patients, who can avoid unnecessary trips to the clinic and makes healthcare more accessible to those in secluded areas.

To become a telehealth nurse, you’ll need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an associate degree in nursing, along with an active license. According to ZipRecruiter, remote telehealth nurses earn around US$106,133 annually. 

8. Clinical Research Nurse 

Another great remote job for registered nurses is a career as a clinical research nurse, who are needed in the development of new medical treatments, medications, and even vaccines.

Here, your role involves coordinating and monitoring clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies, universities, or research organisations. Your responsibilities include ensuring that trials follow protocols, assisting participants, and keeping records.

Many employers prefer their clinical research nurses to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). According to Glassdoor, a clinical research nurse earns an average of US$109,518 annually.