Stepping Stones into Remote Nursing: Alternative Paths for Nurses Ready to Ditch the Bedside

Tired of the Bedside, but Not Ready to Jump Off the Deep End?

If the thought of tossing your badge lanyard in favor of the blue light glow from your own laptop has you buzzing—with excitement and nerves—you’re not alone. Transitioning from the bedside to a full-time remote nursing job isn’t always a straight shot, especially if you don’t check every box on those intimidating telehealth job listings…yet. But good news: there’s a middle ground! Welcome to the wonderful world of stepping-stone roles. Think of them like floaties, gently getting you to open water until you’re ready to swim laps in the telehealth pool.

What Exactly Are Stepping Stone Roles?

Stepping stone roles are nurse jobs that blend the familiar with the distinctly new: a little bit clinical, a dash of remote, and a sprinkle of non-clinical support. These roles let you build digital skills, get your foot in the door with remote employers, and test-drive a new pace of nursing—while keeping your license (and sanity) intact.

Pave the Path: Hybrid Nursing Positions

Who says you have to cold-turkey your hospital gig? Hybrid roles combine in-person patient work with remote or telehealth responsibilities. For example:

• Case Management Nurse: Many insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas offer nurse case manager roles that are part office, part remote. You’ll coordinate care, follow up with patients on the phone, and slowly get seasoned in telework platforms.
• Health Coach: Companies like Sharecare and local wellness startups often hire RNs for part-in person, part-virtual coaching gigs.

Pro tip: These hybrid roles are gold for building confidence with electronic documentation, video calls, and all those screen-sharing snafus.

Test the Waters: Part-Time Telehealth Roles

Ready to work from home, but not rock the full 40-hour boat? Snag a part-time telehealth nursing job. Platforms like Carenet Health, Wheel, and local clinics (Pro tip for Texas nurses: UT Health East Texas telehealth has part-time RN roles) love hiring RNs for evenings, weekends, and seasonal coverage.

If you’re juggling family life, side hustling, or simply want to keep one foot on the floor in your current role, this is your sweet spot.

Hidden Gem: Non-Clinical Support Positions

You don’t have to give up your RN status to take a “non-clinical” job—these gigs are often the back door into remote nursing:

• Utilization Review Nurse: Think less bedside, more behind-the-scenes. Hospitals and insurance companies like Molina Healthcare frequently hire RNs for chart audits and care reviews. 99% admin, 100% eligible for sweatpants.
• Medical Call Center RN: Answer patient questions, triage concerns, and offer guidance by phone (no scrubs required, cubicle optional). Employers like NurseWise and Baylor Scott & White Health are hiring!

Bonus: These roles teach you the fine art of phone etiquette, documentation, and time management—skills every telehealth recruiter drools over.

Your Roadmap: Practical Steps to Your First Remote Role

1. Audit Your Experience: Check job boards (the Telehealth Nurse Network Job Board is a great place to start) and jot down the skills you already have—and those you need.
2. Update Your Resume: Highlight tech skills, patient triage, and any remote work exposure. If resume writing makes you sweat, grab our Telehealth RN Resume Kit and crush those applications.
3. Network Like a Pro: Join our Telehealth Nurse Network Community for job leads, role-specific advice, and a daily dose of “you’ve got this.”
4. Apply Strategically: Aim for roles that split your time (hybrid/part-time), offer non-clinical angles, or explicitly say “remote-friendly” in the description. Remember, you’re playing the long game!
5. Keep Learning: Consider our Telehealth Nurse Mastery Suite for bite-sized courses and coaching that make you irresistible to telehealth employers.

Real Talk—One Step Counts

No one goes from 12-hour shifts to pajamas-on-the-clock overnight. These stepping stone roles are your chance to sharpen your remote skills, explore new career options, and breathe a little deeper (without setting an alarm for 0500 every day). With every move—hybrid, part-time, or non-clinical—you’re closer to that full-time remote dream. And when you’re ready, the Telehealth Nurse Network is here to make sure you absolutely nail it.