Looking for the perfect side hustles to complement your nursing skills in 2024?
This comprehensive guide covers 35 side hustles that allow nurses to leverage their expertise, often from the comfort of their homes. Whether you’re looking to educate, care, or consult, you’ll find opportunities that match your professional skills and interests.
Embrace the flexibility and autonomy of these side hustles, designed to help you earn extra income while maintaining a work-life balance. Dive in and discover the ideal side hustle for you!
Telehealth Nursing
Estimated Hourly Pay: $30 – $60
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection, telehealth software
Overview: Telehealth nurses provide remote patient care via phone or video calls.
How to Start: Obtain necessary certifications and training for telehealth. Join telehealth platforms or find job listings on healthcare job boards. Networking with clinics and hospitals can provide more opportunities.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Flexible schedule, work from home.
Cons: Requires strong communication skills and familiarity with technology, which can be challenging for some nurses.
Daily workflow: Conducting patient assessments, providing care advice, and documenting interactions. This can be done in short, flexible shifts to fit around other commitments.
Medical Transcription
Estimated Hourly Pay: $15 – $30
Equipment Needed: Computer, transcription software, headphones
Overview: Medical transcriptionists convert voice recordings from healthcare providers into written documents.
How to Start: Gain experience with transcription software and practice with sample recordings. Join platforms like Rev or apply for jobs on healthcare job boards.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Work from home, flexible hours.
Cons: Can be repetitive and may cause strain on hands and ears due to prolonged typing and listening.
Daily workflow: Listening to audio files, typing out transcripts, and ensuring accuracy. This can be done in your spare time, making it ideal for evenings and weekends.
Health Coaching
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $60
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection, certification in health coaching
Overview: Health coaches support clients in achieving their health and wellness goals.
How to Start: Obtain a health coaching certification and create a profile on coaching platforms. Promote your services through social media and networking with healthcare providers.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Flexible hours, rewarding work.
Cons: Building a client base can take time, and maintaining client engagement requires consistent effort.
Daily workflow: Conducting coaching sessions, creating wellness plans, and following up with clients. Sessions can be scheduled around your nursing shifts.
Medical Writing
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $75
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Medical writers create content for medical journals, websites, and educational materials.
How to Start: Build a portfolio with sample writings and join freelance platforms. Apply for writing gigs and network with healthcare organizations.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High earning potential, flexible work.
Cons: Requires strong writing skills and may involve tight deadlines.
Daily workflow: Researching medical topics, writing, and editing content. You can write during your free time and choose projects that fit your schedule.
Nurse Blogging
Estimated Hourly Pay: Varies based on traffic and monetization
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Nurse bloggers share their experiences and expertise through blog posts and articles.
How to Start: Choose a niche and set up a blog using platforms like WordPress. Write high-quality content regularly and promote your blog through SEO and social media.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Creative outlet, potential for passive income.
Cons: Takes time to build traffic and audience, requiring consistent effort and patience.
Daily workflow: Writing blog posts, promoting content, and engaging with readers. This can be done in your spare time, making it easy to balance with nursing.
Online Nursing Tutor
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection, webcam
Overview: Online nursing tutors provide tutoring services to nursing students.
How to Start: Create a profile on tutoring websites and offer free trial sessions to attract students. Network with nursing schools and professional organizations.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Flexible hours, rewarding work.
Cons: Requires strong knowledge of nursing subjects and effective teaching skills, which can be challenging to develop.
Daily workflow: Preparing lessons, teaching, and providing feedback. Tutoring sessions can be scheduled around your nursing shifts.
Health and Wellness Consulting
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $75
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Health and wellness consultants advise individuals or organizations on health-related issues.
How to Start: Obtain relevant certifications and create a consulting profile. Join freelance platforms and network with businesses and healthcare providers.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High earning potential, flexible work.
Cons: Requires expertise in health topics and building a client base, which can take time.
Daily workflow: Consulting with clients, developing health plans, and monitoring progress. Consultations can be done in your spare time, fitting well with a nursing schedule.
First Aid Instructor
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $50
Equipment Needed: First aid certification, training materials
Overview: First aid instructors teach first aid techniques to individuals and groups.
How to Start: Obtain a first aid instructor certification and partner with organizations that need training services. Promote your classes through social media and local advertising.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, flexible schedule.
Cons: Requires certification and preparation for classes, which can be time-consuming.
Daily workflow: Preparing training materials, conducting classes, and assessing students. Classes can be scheduled on your days off or weekends.
Patient Advocacy
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Patient advocates help patients navigate the healthcare system and ensure they receive appropriate care.
How to Start: Obtain certifications in patient advocacy and join professional organizations. Network with hospitals and healthcare providers to find clients.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, flexible hours.
Cons: Can be emotionally demanding and requires strong interpersonal skills.
Daily workflow: Assisting patients with healthcare navigation, communicating with providers, and advocating for patient needs. Advocacy can be done part-time, fitting around your nursing schedule.
Legal Nurse Consulting
Estimated Hourly Pay: $50 – $100
Equipment Needed: Computer, legal nurse consultant certification
Overview: Legal nurse consultants assist attorneys with medical cases by providing expertise on healthcare matters.
How to Start: Obtain a legal nurse consultant certification and join professional associations. Network with law firms and offer your services.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High earning potential, in-demand skills.
Cons: Requires certification and may involve tight deadlines, which can be stressful.
Daily workflow: Reviewing medical records, preparing reports, and consulting with attorneys. Consulting can be done on a flexible schedule, allowing you to balance it with nursing.
Medical Sales Representative
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $75
Equipment Needed: Computer, phone, sales materials
Overview: Medical sales representatives sell medical products and services to healthcare providers.
How to Start: Gain experience in medical sales and join professional organizations. Network with medical product companies and apply for sales positions.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High earning potential, flexible hours.
Cons: Requires sales skills and persistence, which can be challenging to develop.
Daily workflow: Meeting with clients, demonstrating products, and closing sales. Sales activities can be scheduled around your nursing shifts.
Case Management
Estimated Hourly Pay: $30 – $60
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Case managers coordinate patient care and ensure they receive necessary services.
How to Start: Obtain case management certification and join professional organizations. Apply for case management positions in healthcare facilities or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, high earning potential.
Cons: Can be demanding and requires strong organizational skills.
Daily workflow: Coordinating patient care, communicating with providers, and managing patient records. Case management can be done part-time, fitting around your nursing schedule.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Clinical research coordinators manage clinical trials and ensure compliance with regulations.
How to Start: Obtain certifications in clinical research and join professional organizations. Network with research institutions and apply for coordinator positions.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High earning potential, in-demand skills.
Cons: Requires certification and can be deadline-driven, which may be stressful.
Daily workflow: Managing clinical trials, ensuring compliance, and documenting results. This role can be performed on a flexible, part-time basis.
Public Health Nursing
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $45
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Public health nurses work to improve community health through education and outreach.
How to Start: Obtain a public health nursing certification and join professional organizations. Network with public health departments and apply for positions.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, flexible hours.
Cons: Requires certification and may involve dealing with difficult community health issues.
Daily workflow: Conducting health education programs, working with communities, and monitoring public health data. This role can be done part-time, fitting around your nursing schedule.
Vaccination Clinics
Estimated Hourly Pay: $30 – $50
Equipment Needed: Nursing license, vaccination supplies
Overview: Nurses can work at vaccination clinics to administer vaccines to the public.
How to Start: Partner with healthcare organizations and public health departments to offer vaccination services. Promote your clinics through social media and local advertising.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High demand, rewarding work.
Cons: Requires nursing license and can be physically demanding.
Daily workflow: Administering vaccines, recording patient information, and educating patients about vaccines. Clinics can be scheduled on your days off or weekends.
CPR Instructor
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $50
Equipment Needed: CPR certification, training materials
Overview: CPR instructors teach CPR techniques to individuals and groups.
How to Start: Obtain CPR instructor certification and partner with organizations that need CPR training. Promote your classes through social media and local advertising.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, flexible schedule.
Cons: Requires certification and preparation for classes, which can be time-consuming.
Daily workflow: Preparing training materials, conducting classes, and assessing students. Classes can be scheduled on your days off or weekends.
Medical Device Training
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $75
Equipment Needed: Computer, medical device training materials
Overview: Medical device trainers educate healthcare professionals on how to use medical devices.
How to Start: Gain experience with medical devices and obtain relevant certifications. Network with medical device companies and offer training services.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High earning potential, flexible work.
Cons: Requires expertise in medical devices and may involve travel.
Daily workflow: Preparing training materials, conducting training sessions, and providing support. Training sessions can be scheduled around your nursing shifts.
Nutrition Consulting
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $60
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection, nutrition certification
Overview: Nutrition consultants advise clients on dietary and nutritional needs.
How to Start: Obtain a nutrition certification and create a consulting profile. Join freelance platforms and network with healthcare providers to find clients.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Flexible hours, rewarding work.
Cons: Building a client base can take time, and maintaining client engagement requires consistent effort.
Daily workflow: Conducting consultations, creating nutrition plans, and monitoring client progress. Consultations can be done in your spare time, fitting around your nursing schedule.
Medical Coding
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $40
Equipment Needed: Computer, medical coding software
Overview: Medical coders translate healthcare services into codes for billing and insurance purposes.
How to Start: Obtain a medical coding certification and join professional organizations. Apply for coding positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High demand, flexible work.
Cons: Requires certification and can be repetitive, leading to potential burnout.
Daily workflow: Reviewing medical records, assigning codes, and ensuring accuracy. This can be done in your spare time, making it ideal for evenings and weekends.
Remote Clinical Trials
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Nurses can participate in remote clinical trials to assist with research and patient monitoring.
How to Start: Obtain certifications in clinical research and join professional organizations. Network with research institutions and apply for remote trial positions.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Flexible work, rewarding.
Cons: Requires certification and can involve strict protocols, which can be challenging.
Daily workflow: Monitoring trial participants, documenting results, and ensuring compliance. This role can be performed on a flexible, part-time basis.
Health Informatics
Estimated Hourly Pay: $30 – $60
Equipment Needed: Computer, health informatics software
Overview: Health informatics specialists manage healthcare data and systems.
How to Start: Obtain a certification in health informatics and join professional organizations. Apply for informatics positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High earning potential, in-demand skills.
Cons: Requires certification and can be complex, requiring continuous learning.
Daily workflow: Managing healthcare data, implementing systems, and ensuring data accuracy. This can be done in your spare time, making it ideal for tech-savvy nurses.
Occupational Health
Estimated Hourly Pay: $30 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, occupational health certification
Overview: Occupational health nurses promote workplace health and safety.
How to Start: Obtain an occupational health certification and join professional organizations. Network with businesses and apply for occupational health positions.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, high earning potential.
Cons: Requires certification and can involve dealing with workplace health issues, which can be challenging.
Daily workflow: Conducting workplace health assessments, developing safety programs, and monitoring employee health. This role can be done part-time, fitting around your nursing schedule.
Remote Chart Auditing
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, chart auditing software
Overview: Chart auditors review medical records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
How to Start: Obtain certifications in chart auditing and join professional organizations. Apply for auditing positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High demand, flexible work.
Cons: Requires certification and can be repetitive, leading to potential burnout.
Daily workflow: Reviewing medical records, identifying errors, and ensuring compliance. This can be done in your spare time, making it ideal for evenings and weekends.
Medical Billing
Estimated Hourly Pay: $15 – $30
Equipment Needed: Computer, medical billing software
Overview: Medical billers process and manage billing information for healthcare providers.
How to Start: Obtain a medical billing certification and join professional organizations. Apply for billing positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High demand, flexible work.
Cons: Requires certification and can be repetitive, leading to potential burnout.
Daily workflow: Processing billing information, submitting claims, and ensuring accuracy. This can be done in your spare time, making it ideal for evenings and weekends.
Elder Care Consulting
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Elder care consultants advise families on caring for elderly relatives.
How to Start: Obtain relevant certifications and create a consulting profile. Join freelance platforms and network with healthcare providers to find clients.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, flexible hours.
Cons: Can be emotionally demanding and requires strong interpersonal skills.
Daily workflow: Consulting with families, developing care plans, and monitoring progress. Consulting can be done part-time, fitting around your nursing schedule.
Telephonic Triage
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection, phone
Overview: Telephonic triage nurses provide medical advice over the phone.
How to Start: Obtain necessary certifications and join professional organizations. Apply for triage positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High demand, flexible work.
Cons: Requires strong communication skills and can be stressful dealing with urgent calls.
Daily workflow: Answering patient calls, providing medical advice, and documenting interactions. This can be done in short, flexible shifts to fit around other commitments.
Genetic Counseling
Estimated Hourly Pay: $35 – $60
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection, certification in genetic counseling
Overview: Genetic counselors advise patients on genetic conditions and testing.
How to Start: Obtain a certification in genetic counseling and join professional organizations. Apply for counseling positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High earning potential, rewarding work.
Cons: Requires certification and can be emotionally demanding, dealing with sensitive information.
Daily workflow: Conducting genetic counseling sessions, interpreting test results, and providing support. Counseling sessions can be scheduled around your nursing shifts.
Nurse Recruiting
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Nurse recruiters help healthcare organizations find and hire qualified nursing staff.
How to Start: Gain experience in recruiting and join professional organizations. Apply for recruiting positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High demand, flexible work.
Cons: Requires strong communication skills and can be competitive.
Daily workflow: Sourcing candidates, conducting interviews, and managing hiring processes. Recruiting activities can be scheduled around your nursing shifts.
Home Health Care
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $50
Equipment Needed: Nursing license, home health supplies
Overview: Home health care nurses provide medical care to patients in their homes.
How to Start: Obtain necessary certifications and join professional organizations. Apply for home health care positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, flexible hours.
Cons: Requires nursing license and can be physically demanding.
Daily workflow: Visiting patients, providing medical care, and documenting interactions. Home visits can be scheduled on your days off or weekends.
Health Policy Analysis
Estimated Hourly Pay: $30 – $60
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Health policy analysts study and develop healthcare policies.
How to Start: Obtain a certification in health policy analysis and join professional organizations. Apply for analysis positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High earning potential, in-demand skills.
Cons: Requires certification and can be complex, requiring continuous learning.
Daily workflow: Analyzing healthcare policies, conducting research, and developing policy recommendations. Analysis can be done part-time, fitting around your nursing schedule.
Employee Health Education
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection
Overview: Employee health educators develop and implement health education programs for workplaces.
How to Start: Obtain relevant certifications and join professional organizations. Apply for education positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, flexible hours.
Cons: Requires certification and may involve dealing with workplace health issues.
Daily workflow: Developing health education programs, conducting workshops, and monitoring employee health. Education sessions can be scheduled around your nursing shifts.
School Nursing
Estimated Hourly Pay: $20 – $50
Equipment Needed: Nursing license, school health supplies
Overview: School nurses provide healthcare services to students and staff.
How to Start: Obtain necessary certifications and join professional organizations. Apply for school nursing positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, flexible hours.
Cons: Requires nursing license and may involve dealing with a wide range of health issues.
Daily workflow: Providing medical care to students, managing health records, and conducting health education. School nursing can be done part-time, fitting around your primary job.
Virtual Health Workshops
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $60
Equipment Needed: Computer, internet connection, webinar software
Overview: Nurses can conduct virtual health workshops on various health topics.
How to Start: Identify topics you’re knowledgeable in and create workshop content. Promote your workshops through social media and professional networks.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Flexible work, high earning potential.
Cons: Requires strong presentation skills and can be competitive.
Daily workflow: Developing workshop content, conducting sessions, and engaging with participants. Workshops can be scheduled around your nursing shifts.
Clinical Documentation Specialist
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $50
Equipment Needed: Computer, documentation software
Overview: Clinical documentation specialists ensure the accuracy and completeness of medical records.
How to Start: Obtain certifications in clinical documentation and join professional organizations. Apply for documentation positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: High demand, flexible work.
Cons: Requires certification and can be repetitive, leading to potential burnout.
Daily workflow: Reviewing medical records, ensuring accuracy, and providing feedback. This can be done in your spare time, making it ideal for evenings and weekends.
Hospice Care
Estimated Hourly Pay: $25 – $50
Equipment Needed: Nursing license, hospice care supplies
Overview: Hospice care nurses provide end-of-life care to patients.
How to Start: Obtain necessary certifications and join professional organizations. Apply for hospice care positions on healthcare job boards or join freelance platforms.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: Rewarding work, flexible hours.
Cons: Can be emotionally demanding and requires a nursing license.
Daily workflow: Providing medical care to patients, supporting families, and documenting interactions. Hospice care can be done part-time, fitting around your primary job.
This comprehensive list of side hustles for nurses provides various opportunities to earn extra income while leveraging your professional skills and expertise. Each hustle has its own set of pros and cons, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs and interests.