15 Reasons Remote Nurse Practitioner Jobs Are in High Demand For The Next 10 Years
Written By:
Caitlin Goodwin
Caitlin Goodwin DNP, CNM, RN
Caitlin Goodwin is a Certified Nurse-Midwife who has been a nurse for 12 years, primarily in women’s health. She is passionate about caring for children with developmental disabilities, as her son has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Caitlin loved working as a camp nurse for a summer camp for those with special needs. Read Full Bio »» DNP, CNM, RN
I am sure as a nurse practitioner, the thought of working from home seems like a dream come true for you. As an advanced practice nurse myself, I was over the moon the day I began working remotely. It opened up a world of flexibility in my career. Why are remote nurse practitioner jobs in high demand? The desire to hire remote nurse practitioners (NPs) will grow as remote medicine grows. In this article, I will cover the top 15 reasons remote nurse practitioner jobs are in high demand for the next 10 years. Remote positions enable NPs to expand healthcare access, enhance patient outcomes, and promote meaningful patient engagement.
What are the Reasons Why Remote Nurse Practitioner Jobs are in High Demand?
(The following are the 15 main reasons why remote nurse practitioner jobs are in high demand for the next 10 years.)
REASON #1: Increasing Demand for Telehealth
Remote nurse practitioner jobs are in high demand because of the increasing demand for telehealth services, particularly following the pandemic. The emergence of COVID-19 accelerated the acceptance of telehealth as a safe and efficient way to deliver care. Since that time, a variety of patients have appreciated the convenience, availability, and safety of telemedicine. Remote NPs are crucial to meet the needs of patients through virtual visits. Insurance companies, clinicians, and government organizations recognized the value of telehealth.
REASON #2: Chronic Disease Management
Remote NPs are in high demand due to their integral role in remote monitoring for chronic disease management. Through the use of technology platforms, telemedicine enables remote NPs to closely monitor patients with chronic disease while they remain in the comfort of their own homes. Remote monitoring includes vital signs, medication adherence, and overall health status. Remote NPs can intervene promptly and adjust treatment plans by identifying potential issues or trends early on. Following the hospital discharge, this home care enhances the overall quality of patient care. Remote NPs and chronic disease management reduces hospital readmissions and improves patient outcomes. The demand for remote NPs who excel in remote monitoring will grow as health systems recognize the benefits of the hospital to home care models.
REASON #3: Infectious Disease Risk
Remote NPs are needed because of the risks associated with infectious diseases, particularly the pandemic response. COVID-19 underscored the importance of preventing infectious diseases. Remote consulting enables healthcare providers to triage patients and provide guidance on preventive measures. Remote NPs prioritize infection control measures, expanding telehealth capabilities, and ensuring the safety of both patients and healthcare providers. The demand for remote NPs surged as healthcare systems realized that keeping patients with infectious diseases out of the hospitals benefited everyone.
REASON #4: Access to Health Care
Remote nurse practitioner jobs are in high demand because they improve healthcare access. In this role, NPs overcome barriers like transportation limitations, lack of local health facilities, and long commutes that can significantly impede the ability of patients to receive timely care. Patients enjoy the convenience of seeking healthcare from their own homes and are better able to schedule follow-up visits. Remote access to healthcare also improves patient engagement and the overall health status of people in rural or underserved areas. While remote NPs can only treat according to their state license, they are able to increase their practice area and remove geographic limitations. Remote NPs are able to bridge major gaps in healthcare.
REASON #5: Progress in Technology
Most individuals in the U.S. have either a smartphone, tablet, or computer that is able to connect with remote telemedicine software. This enables remote NPs to thrive due to the progress in technology. The U.S. adoption of technology makes it easy for patients to engage in virtual consultations and remote healthcare services. Thanks to the advances in digital healthcare, remote NPs can provide high-quality care to patients at home. Technology has significantly contributed to the rising demand for remote nurse practitioner jobs.
REASON #6: Healthcare Provider Shortage
Remote NP jobs are in high demand because of the
healthcare provider shortage in many geographical locations. Healthcare experiences a shortage of primary care providers (PCPs), including NPs, nationwide, particularly in underserved areas. Remote NPs can address this shortage by telemedicine and expanding care to areas where there may not be providers to reach patients who need care the most. They bridge the gap in healthcare access and alleviate the strain caused by the provider shortage to meet the demand for primary care services.
REASON #7: Mental Health Support
Remote nurse practitioner jobs are in high demand because of the
growing need for mental healthcare. The accessibility and timeliness of remote consultations make it easy for individuals to seek mental health support. Remote NPs provide mental healthcare, such as assessments, counseling, medication management, and continuous support. The convenience and privacy of remote consultations eliminate major barriers to mental health access for people in underserved or remote areas.
REASON #8: Urgent Care
Remote NPs are pivotal in providing access to efficient urgent care services through telemedicine services. Telemedicine can triage common conditions like colds, coughs, and stomach aches. Patients seek care from NP consultations allowing for prompt assessment, accurate diagnosis, and personalized treatment recommendations. This saves the patient from risking coming into contact with illnesses in the emergency department or urgent care facility. Remote NPs role in providing timely and safe urgent care contributes to a continuing high demand for Remote NPs.
REASON #9: Patient Counseling
Remote nurse practitioner jobs are in high demand due to their role in patient counseling and education. Through telemedicine, remote NPs provide valuable guidance and comprehensive information to patients. Patient education covers medical conditions, treatment options, medication management, lifestyle modifications, and preventive measures. Remote healthcare providers can use their platform to establish a strong relationship that empowers patients to engage in their care actively. The demand for remote NPs stems from their personalized knowledge that addresses specific concerns during patient education.
REASON #10: Follow-up Support
Remote NPs play a crucial role in providing follow-up care to patients. Following treatment, patients may need ongoing support. Remote NPs can offer regular follow-up care to ensure they receive the appropriate attention and guidance for their needs. This follow-up support ensures continuity of care and will hopefully minimize complications.
REASON #11: Preventive Medicine
Health promotion is a key feature that remote NPs are able to provide because of their focus on preventive medicine. Remote NPs promote lifestyle changes, support health behaviors, recommend preventive screenings, and provide well-rounded health education. Telemedicine focuses on preventive medicine so that remote NPs can help patients reduce their risk of chronic disease and improve the well-being of their patients.
REASON #12: Clinician Education
Remote nurse practitioner jobs are in high demand because of their ability to educate students and clinicians. Telemedicine offers opportunities for remote NPs to work in continuing education programs,
college NP programs, webinars, and virtual conferences. These platforms enable medical professionals to stay updated with the latest advancement in healthcare, professional development, and evidence-based practice.
REASON #13: Prescription Management
With a growing aging population and increased prevalence of chronic disease, the use of prescription drugs also rises. Remote NPs play a vital role in this space by monitoring medical conditions, managing chronic diseases, and adjusting medications accordingly. Remote NPs also provide comprehensive patient education about the prescribed drugs. The expertise and ability of the NP to remotely address medication-related problems contribute to enhanced patient outcomes and safety. Thus, remote NP positions are in high demand to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population.
REASON #14: Continuity of Care
Remote NPs offer seamless continuity of care by facilitating timely and routine follow-ups with a consistent provider from the comfort of their home. While remote visits do not replace in-person visits that require auscultation or palpation, they are an invaluable supplement.
Research demonstrates that continuity of care matters in all settings. It leads to the enhanced ability of patients to follow medical care plans, obtain preventive healthcare, and improve their outcomes. Increased continuity of care also decreases mortality rates.
REASON #15: High-Risk Patients
Remote nurse practitioner jobs are in high demand due to the expertise and care provided to high-risk patients. Patients with complex medical needs, advanced age, or compromised immune systems require attention and monitoring. Remote NPs enable these high-risk patients to receive care in their homes, ensuring they receive comprehensive care through telemedicine. By monitoring through
telehealth, remote NPs can identify potential diseases or disorders early on and intervene quickly to reduce complications.
My Final Thoughts
Hard-working nurse practitioners seeking a change of environment and more flexibility often wonder. “Why are remote nurse practitioner jobs in high demand?” Over the coming decade, skilled nurse practitioners will seek these remote positions for many reasons. In this article, I described the top 15 reasons remote nurse practitioner jobs are in high demand for the next 10 years. As telemedicine grows, the unique skills and services that nurse practitioners offer in a remote setting contribute to the increasing need. Remote NPs offer a multitude of advantages and are an attractive career option.
Caitlin Goodwin DNP, CNM, RN
Caitlin Goodwin is a Certified Nurse-Midwife who has been a nurse for 12 years, primarily in women’s health. She is passionate about caring for children with developmental disabilities, as her son has Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is currently working as a freelance writer and consultant and is passionate about advocating for her patients, students, and profession.