Breaking into Remote Nursing: Tips and Tricks for Getting Hired Without Experience

As a seasoned nursing professional with extensive experience in the remote work field, I understand that securing remote roles can be challenging for many nurses. A common question from frustrated colleagues is, “How do I gain experience the employers want/require if no one will give me a chance?”

The good news is that certain positions do not require direct remote experiences, such as case management or telephone triage. As an experienced bedside nurse, you already have a lot of the skills needed for these remote positions. However, for any of the remote nursing jobs, you will need to put in the effort to sell your transferable job skills by rewriting your resume and cover letter to get past the ATS software program, network with recruiters & hiring managers, and researching companies that fit your specific career goals to land these positions. For more tips on getting your remote nursing job search started, check my Get Organized for a Remote Nurse Job Hunt blog post.

So what are some other ways to make yourself more marketable to employers if you need more experience for the role you are applying for?

1. Obtain higher/additional degrees: Pursuing higher education can be costly and time-consuming, but it can also open up more career opportunities and improve your skills. However, it’s essential to consider your career goals and whether a degree is actually necessary to achieve them.

2. Obtain professional certification: Obtaining a professional certification can be less expensive than a degree, but study materials, course prep, and exam fees can still add up. Keep in mind that professional certification may not be available for the specific remote role you are seeking. Again, before diving in to pay for the certification, make sure it aligns with your remote nursing career goals.

3. Take online courses to boost your skills: Online learning platforms like Google Coursera and LinkedIn Learning can provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a more competitive job candidate. You can take courses to boost your technical skills or learn about different software programs.

4. Consider volunteer work or internships: While unpaid, volunteering or interning can provide you with valuable job and remote experience. Additionally, it’s a chance to network with connections, gain job references, and potentially secure future job opportunities.

Returning to school, obtaining additional degrees, and/or taking various courses can be great ways to gain experience to add to your resume, depending on the role you are targeting. For example, if you’re interested in teaching online, most online nursing instructor jobs require a doctorate in nursing. On the other hand, if you want to transition into a remote nursing informatics role, obtaining certifications or training in healthcare informatics or data analytics can be valuable. Google Coursera and LinkedIn Learning are great platforms to take courses related to skills for various remote nursing roles and healthcare informatics roles.

Two of the most applied for remote nursing roles are Case Management and Utilization Review. While getting hired for these roles without prior experience is possible, they are often very competitive, so even getting an interview is challenging. For nurses looking to learn more about these roles and boost their skills for their resume, I recommend checking out the Case Management Institute (CMI).

CMI offers a free course called, Case Management and Utilization Review: Career Options for Nurses. Completing this course will not only give you 1 FREE CNE, but you’ll also get to see if these specialties fit your remote nursing career goals!

Another reason I highly recommend CMI for nurses with limited remote experience, is that their Utilization Management and MCG course is the ONLY course on the market for nurses not employed by an approved hospital to be eligible to sit for the MCG certification exam. They partnered with MCG (formally known as Milliman) to offer this course in place of employment by an organization that licenses Inpatient & Surgical Care and General Recovery Care.

Use code “andrea10” for 10% off any of the following courses at CMI: Foundations of Case Management, Utilization Management and MCG course, and the bundle option Fundamentals of Case Management & the Utilization Management and MCG course.

These certifications can increase your chances of securing the jobs you want, but it is important to research your options and focus on those directly related to your career goals!

To learn more about certifications for remote nursing roles, check out my FREE Remote Nursing Jobs Getting Started guide where I list many different options available for various remote nursing roles.

Remote Nurse Connection is proudly Ad-free. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read full disclosure here.

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