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Telehealth has become an established part of healthcare delivery in the United States. In 2024, 95% of health centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration used telehealth to provide primary care.

Nurses regularly use telehealth platforms for various purposes. They may conduct virtual visits or triage patients by phone. Some use the technology to provide patient education. In hospitals, nurses can assist with admissions and discharges via telehealth.

These responsibilities require nurses to be adept at working with digital systems while still exercising clinical expertise in complex situations. Nurse educators can prepare nurses by incorporating telehealth training into academic curricula and professional development.

Why Is Telehealth Training Important for Nurses?

Telehealth enables providers to deliver certain services without requiring patients to visit a healthcare facility. When used effectively, it can offer several benefits:

• Improved access to care: Virtual services can reduce barriers related to distance or lack of transportation, making telehealth particularly valuable to rural and other underserved populations.

• Fewer missed appointments: By reducing logistical barriers, telehealth can make it easier for patients to attend appointments by eliminating the need for travel or childcare arrangements. It can also minimize disruptions to their workday.

• High patient satisfaction: A 2024 study in the journal Telemedicine and e-Health found that about 75% of adults who had recently used telehealth felt the care they received was “as good as” an in-person visit. Telehealth can also make follow-up care more convenient.

Nurses make up the largest segment of the healthcare workforce and generally have the most direct contact with patients. Consequently, ensuring that they are well versed in how to use telehealth is increasingly vital. 

Despite its availability, telehealth use among nurses isn’t universal. A 2025 study in Nursing Outlook found that 43% of registered nurses (RNs) reported telehealth use where they worked, but only 22% said they personally used it in practice. This disparity suggests that access to the technology doesn’t mean every nurse has experience using it.

Nurse educators can help other nurses build that experience. The role of nurse educators is crucial because telehealth changes how nurses gather information and communicate with patients. Preparing nurses for those differences can help organizations use telehealth more effectively, benefiting both patients and providers. 

Core Components of Telehealth Training

Telehealth can reshape various aspects of nursing practice, including patient interactions and clinical workflows. Nurses need to understand how to adapt standard care practices to a virtual environment while learning the technical requirements involved in using the technology. Nurse educators need to connect technical instruction to the communication and clinical skills nurses use in practice.

Common areas of telehealth training include:

• Technology and workflows: Introductory instruction can familiarize nurses with telehealth systems and any related equipment, as well as the process of establishing a virtual care workflow. It may also cover relevant regulations and compliance requirements.

• Digital communication: Some patient cues may be more difficult to recognize during a remote visit. Nurses should learn how to interview and assess patients effectively when communicating through audio or video technology.

• Cultural humility: Training in cultural humility can help nurses better understand the circumstances affecting patients’ daily lives. It can also address stigma and misinformation involving traditionally underserved communities.

Nurse educators also need to determine how to help nurses develop these competencies. Online instruction can introduce core concepts and processes, while simulations can help learners apply what they have learned. For telehealth training in the workplace, supervised practice can help nurses further hone their skills.

Educators can also use microlearning modules to reinforce concepts as technology and procedures change.

Types of Telehealth Certificates for Nurses

Telehealth education can continue after nurses enter professional practice. Several credentials are available to help nurses expand their knowledge and demonstrate their commitment to effective virtual care. While employers may not always require telehealth certification, it can help nurses stand out in a competitive job market.

Available credentials vary in scope. Some focus directly on remote care, while others treat telehealth as part of a broader nursing specialty. A few of the more notable certifications nurses may consider include:

• Ambulatory Care Nurse - Board Certified: The American Nurses Credentialing Center awards the AMB-BC credential, which assesses knowledge and skills related to ambulatory care. Although the credential’s scope extends beyond telehealth, its exam includes telehealth content. Eligibility depends on RN experience and recent ambulatory care practice. The certification is valid for five years.

• Certified Professional by the American Heart Association: The CPAHA designation is available to nurses and other healthcare professionals involved in telehealth. Candidates must have at least 5.25 hours of prerequisite education, which they can obtain through the American Heart Association, and must pass an online examination. The credential is valid for three years.

• Certified Telehealth and Triage Nurse: The American Institute of Health Care Professionals offers the TTN-C credential to licensed RNs. Its four-course curriculum focuses on assessment and triage in remote care, including mental health settings. The certification is valid for four years.

• Board Certified Telehealth Professional: Telehealth.org offers the BCTP, a tiered certificate program available to healthcare professionals, including nurse practitioners (NPs), who are preparing for clinical or administrative telehealth responsibilities. The program combines clinical best practices with instruction on relevant legal and ethical requirements.

Preparing Nurses for the Future of Healthcare

Telehealth training enables nurses to adapt their clinical expertise to virtual care. Nurse educators can support that transition by helping providers build the skills to use the technology effectively.

If you’re looking to advance your nursing career, explore Wilson College Online’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The program’s Education track helps students develop the instructional skills they need to prepare nurses for evolving models of care.

Learn how Wilson can help you prepare for the future of healthcare. 

Recommended Readings

How Is AI Used in Nursing?

What Is Nursing Professional Development?

9 Essential Soft Skills for Nursing

Sources:

American Heart Association, Certified Professional by the American Heart Association – Telehealth

FAQs

American Heart Association, Telehealth

American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Telehealth Nursing & Triage Nursing Certification Program

American Nurses Credentialing Center, Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (AMB-BC)

Health Resources and Services Administration, Telehealth Training and Workforce Development

Health Resources and Services Administration, Telehealth Trends

KFF, “Community Health Center Patients, Financing, and Services”

Nursing Open, “The Role of Nurse‐Led Telehealth Interventions in Bridging Healthcare Gaps and Expanding Access”

Nursing Outlook, “Telehealth Use Among Registered Nurses: A National Sample Survey Analysis”

Sermo, Telehealth Nursing Certification: The Guide for Nurses

Telemedicine and e-Health, “Satisfaction With Telehealth Care in the United States: Cross-Sectional Survey”

Telemedicine Reports, “Telehealth Training and Education for Allied Health Professionals: A Scoping Review”