The biggest downside is the pay. At $24 an hour, it’s difficult to sustain a living, especially when people with just a high school diploma are making the same in call centers. As telehealth nurses, we’re on the front lines every day, interacting directly with members, building trust, and influencing whether they stay in the program and recommend it to others. A pay increase of just $2-3 an hour would show more appreciation for the work we do.
The PTO policy is also frustrating. If you don’t meet your full hours in a pay period, you’re required to use your PTO or sick time, which makes it hard to plan vacations or save PTO for when you really need it.
Another challenge is the limited time we have with each member. Being expected to complete four visits per hour can create stress, sometimes making it feel like I have to rush through visits or cut members off. This often leaves me feeling like I’m not providing the level of care I know I can, and I wish there was more flexibility in scheduling to allow for more quality time with members.
If it weren’t for my love of the job, my amazing team, and supportive management, I’d likely be looking elsewhere. However, I stay because I truly care about the members I help every day and hope the company grows in a way that reflects the value of the work we do.