How to Land a Remote Nursing Job: 6 Essential Steps

Step #1 – Get Organized for Your Remote Nursing Job Search

Before you search for remote nursing jobs, you will want to prioritize organization. Landing a remote nursing job requires organization and utilizing the right resources. Start by setting up your preferred method of organizing your job search materials. Organizing can be using techniques like a spreadsheet to track job applications & interview dates, using a digital or paper planner for reminders & goals, creating email folders, and organizing folders on your desktop to store resumes & cover letters. Pick whatever method works for you, but getting organized will help keep you productive, focused, and ready to apply as soon as jobs are available!

My go-to organizing method when searching for my remote nursing positions was Notion. Notion is a productivity tool that allows you to create customizable templates to track your job search progress and store files like a resume or cover letter. Using Notion is free, and it’s an “all-in-one” workspace that keeps everything you need during your job search right at your fingertips. 

You can customize your own template to include job application trackers, interview notes, password trackers, company databases, web resources, calendar reminders, and resume and cover letter drafts. I used Notion on my smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop computer, and it synced across all my devices (windows, apple, and Android compatible)! You can sign up for a free Notion account and either use their free job application template, buy a template, or create your own template.

If using the Notion app isn’t your cup of tea, then Google Drive is another great option.  It also syncs across multiple devices and offers a lot of organization features to keep all of your job application documents organized and easily accessible.

Step #2 – Research Remote Nursing Specialties & Companies

Once you’ve chosen your organization method, research remote nursing job titles, specialties, and the companies hiring for them. This is something you ideally want to do BEFORE you start applying for jobs. Understanding the different specialties in remote nursing can help you focus on positions that match your area of expertise and career goals. Your goal should be narrowing your search to 2-4 specific remote nursing categories or specialties. This step is also important when it comes time to write your targeted job resumes. Narrowing your search will save you time and increase your chances of finding a position that aligns with your skills, interests, wants/needs (pay, schedule, etc). By researching and identifying what interests you at the start, you can set career goals, create targeted resumes & cover letters, and tailor your job search to positions that will help you achieve those goals.

If you aren’t sure what specialty options are normally available in remote nursing, download this free getting started guide, which includes 15 of the most common nursing roles, descriptions, skills, and potential certifications. The Remote Company Directory, available to premium members, makes this process so much faster, giving you an easy-to-search and filter directory with companies that hire remote nurses.

Step #3 – Tailor Your Resume & Use ATS Format 

The last thing you want to do is make it harder for companies & recruiters to find & read your resume. When writing your resume and cover letter, it’s important to remember that many companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to receive job applications. An ATS software application helps companies screen, organize, and track applications from applicants. You’ll want to make sure you are using clear resume headings and straightforward formatting to ensure your resume and cover letter can be accurately parsed by the ATS software. Showcase your transferable skills and experience while organically incorporating relevant keywords from the job description. 

Resume optimization:

To optimize your resume, focus on translating relevant skills and incorporating keywords and phrases from the job description. If you don’t have specific job experience, you will want to spend time thinking about how your transferable job skills are a great fit for this particular job. I recommend drafting a resume for the nursing role specialties you want to target. 

For more tips about optimizing resumes for remote nursing jobs, check out this blog post and the resume checklist in the free Getting Started guide.

Step #4 – Create Job Alerts

One of the best ways to stay on top of the latest job openings is to set up job alerts on various job boards and company websites. Research which companies hire for your preferred target roles and set up email alerts on their careers page.  Creating a new email account to receive these notifications or setting up rules within your current email account will keep the job alerts organized and easy to see!

Configuring job alerts from your preferred websites and companies is a must because some of these job posts will only stay open for a short amount of time. Applying to these jobs as soon as possible increases your chances of landing an interview. 

When possible, always submit your application directly on a company website rather than a job board (like Indeed). This helps ensure your application is directly sent to the company and potentially avoids job scams that can be on Indeed or LinkedIn. 

Step #5 – Staying Organized with Your Application Documents

Organization is key when it comes to job searching. Ensure you have a reliable system set up to track your job applications and organize your documents. Whether it’s using an app like Notion or Google Drive, you’ll want to have easy access to your resume and cover letter from any device. This is because the timing of submitting your application can significantly increase your chances of landing interviews! By staying organized and having your job application documents in one place, you’ll be better prepared to apply quickly and efficiently.

Step #6 – Stay Positive & Keep Applying!

Don’t get discouraged if it takes time to land a remote nursing job; this is normal! On average, it can take most nurses anywhere from 3-6+ months to get hired, possibly longer if you are looking for more specific types of jobs. Just keep applying and refine your approach! Staying positive and persistent during this process is crucial! It’s important to remember that you may face rejection, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have the skills to land a remote job! 

If you are still waiting to hear back from an employer, don’t assume it’s a lost cause, and don’t stop applying. They may still be considering you as a candidate, or they may have new job openings in the future for which you could be a good fit. By staying positive and continuing to apply, you increase your chances. Try to remember: It’s not about getting a remote job; it’s about finding the right remote job for YOU!

This post has given you the tools, resources, and confidence to start your remote nursing job search. Landing a remote nursing job requires organization, utilizing the right resources, and being timely when submitting job applications. 

By narrowing your target job roles, creating an ATS-friendly resume, using job search trackers, and signing up for job alerts, you can land one of these jobs! 

For more personalized support, join the Premium Membership available at Remote Nurse Connection and get access to remote nurse resume templates, remote company directory, resume examples, and early access to the jobs!