Nursing is a rewarding profession, but let’s face it – the long hours and physically demanding routine can be exhausting. If you’re feeling burnt out and looking for a change, have you considered working as a virtual nurse? As technology advances, virtual nursing has become an increasingly popular career path in the US. But what exactly is a virtual nurse?
In this article, we explain what virtual nurses do, and why it’s becoming more popular in recent years. We’ve also scoured the country to find the highest paying states for virtual nursing.
What are virtual nurses?
Virtual nurses, also known as telehealth nurses and remote nurses, provide key medical and nursing care to patients and support the wider healthcare team without meeting them in person. They can work in a multitude of settings – home, remote centers, or any healthcare facilities with phones and video conferencing tools.
Similar to on-site nurses, virtual nurses handle admissions and discharges, assist with medication management, provide patient education, and answer patients’ questions. Some virtual nurses are responsible for monitoring the vital signs of high-risk patients and surveying patients in real time.
While both types of nurses require extensive training and education, virtual nurses need to have a knack for using digital tools as well as having excellent interpersonal skills to effectively provide care and support to their patients, despite physically being in a different location
The rise of virtual nurses
Telehealth nursing existed long before Covid, but the cascade of lockdowns has pushed flexible working into the mainstream. The healthcare industry has fully adopted this new way of working since the pandemic, recognizing that virtual nurses can relieve the administrative burden on on-site nurses, while improving the engagement and satisfaction of patients.
Compared to the beginning of the pandemic, advertised vacancies for virtual nurse roles have more than doubled, up from 5,399 jobs in March 2020 to 12,418 jobs in March 2023. The growing attention on virtual nursing can also be felt acutely in pay packets. Average advertised salaries of virtual nurses increased by +65%, from $60,924 in March 2020 to $100,705 in March 2023. What’s more, the pay difference between registered nurses and virtual nurses has been dramatically reducing since 2022. In March 2023, the advertised salary of virtual nurses ($100,705) is on par with registered nurses’ ($100,767).
Where to look for virtual nurse jobs?
Here’re the five states offering the highest salaries for virtual nurses:
Alaska
Average advertised salary: $163,200
Alaska may be far away from everywhere else, but it’s also one of the best places for virtual nurses. With advertised salaries of $163,200, virtual nurses in Alaska earn an extra 60K compared to the national average.
On top of having no state income tax and sales tax, Alaska will pay you to move there. You can usually expect to take home $800 to $1,100 every year from their Permanent Fund Dividend Program. Sometimes, the figure can be even more. The 2022 payout was $3,284, one of the largest in history.
Working remotely from home all day can be draining without any in-person interaction. It’s important to create boundaries between work and home and find somewhere relaxing outside your home to wind down after work hours. That’s where Alaska comes in. Alaska is more than twice the size of Texas but it’s sparsely populated, offering abundant space for you to explore. Take in the northern lights, which are visible almost every day. If you’ve always wanted to go off the grid, Alaska might be the perfect place for you to call home!
Nebraska
Average advertised salary: $139,968
Nebraska is desperate for nurses. A recent study suggested that the state is on pace to be short of more than 5,000 nurses by 2025 due to burnout, an aging nursing population and insufficient training funds. And there are nine counties that have zero registered nurses. This probably explains why the state is turning to virtual nurses to alleviate the talent shortage. The average advertised salary of a virtual nurse in Nebraska is slightly higher than on-site nurses ($126,068).
Nebraska is also known for its friendly communities and relaxed lifestyle, which can be a refreshing change of pace from busy urban areas. The cost of living and healthcare costs are low in Nebraska, making it a great place to save money or pay off loans.
Vermont
Average advertised salary: $138,581
Vermont was named “the best state to live in 2022” because of its voting rights, top-notch childcare and healthcare systems, and air quality. It’s also crowned as the most introverted state in the US, probably because the state isn’t overcrowded. It’s the perfect place for both outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing and also indoor activities like craft breweries and gardening. Fun fact, Vermont is the birthplace of Ben and Jerry’s! If you’re looking for a quiet place to settle down while still pursuing your nursing career, Vermont is the perfect option.
Michigan
Average advertised salary: $130,276
Michigan is home to some of the country’s top healthcare institutions, including the University of Michigan Health System and the Henry Ford Health System. There are plenty of opportunities for virtual nurses, and average advertised salaries are higher than the national average. In your spare time, you can explore the state’s Great Lakes and stunning natural landscapes. Not to mention, Michigan is famous for its baseball, football, ice hockey, and basketball teams. If you’re a huge sports fan, it’s definitely worth adding Michigan to your job search list!
New Jersey
Average advertised salary: $122,039
This state may be small, but it’s the second wealthiest state in the US, which probably explains why the city is very generous with virtual nurses’ pay. It’s also home to top-ranked hospitals like Hackensack University Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. If you consider yourself as a city person, New Jersey could be the perfect option. It’s a foodie’s haven and has a vibrant nightlife. It also takes less than an hour to drive to New York City.
Looking for more inspiration?
If you are curious about the number of virtual nurse jobs available in your state, check out this map! Simply point your cursor to the state and you’ll find the answers.
If you’re up for a better work-life balance and want to earn top dollar as a nurse, definitely look for virtual nurse jobs in the five states we highlighted during your job search on Adzuna.
Read more: Best paying states for registered nurses