Remote Work in Nursing: Facilitators and Barriers

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic quickly accelerated the opportunity for those in many professions to work remotely. These virtual opportunities continue to be available to some nurses and other healthcare providers, but limited information exists in the literature about nurses’ perceptions of remote work. This article presents perspectives of nurses, most of whom worked remotely in some capacity, and who shared their perceptions on facilitators and barriers regarding remote work. These nurses also ranked both effectiveness of nurse’s remote work and of remote meeting participation for professional nursing governance, in their opinion. Top facilitators were organizational and technological support for both remote workers and those in the hospital setting required to interface with remote workers; time savings; and financial savings. The ability to work remotely contributed to work-life balance. Top barriers were a feeling of disconnectedness from the organization; ineffective technology; and lack of organizational support, including lack of leader presence. Opportunities exist for needs assessment of organizational support of remote workers, evidence to inform nurse types and tasks for remote and hybrid work, as well as remote leadership models.