D/C BEDSIDE

What Else Can You Do as a Nurse?

Published February 23, 2025

Updated July 20, 2025

One thing that isn’t taught to us in nursing school, at least not in great depth, is what else we can do with our nursing degree that isn’t patient care. They told us, “there are so many different things you can do as a nurse!”, but what they really meant was switching to a different area of patient care. I’m here to show you that you have options outside of patient care.

Whether you’re looking for something remote, non-clinical, or completely outside of healthcare, this list has you covered. Over time, this list will be updated as I discover more job opportunities. You don’t have to stay in a job that makes you unhappy!


 

💻 Remote & Non-Clinical Roles

  1. Utilization Review Nurse – $75K–$100K

  2. Clinical Documentation Specialist – $70K–$115K

  3. Nurse Recruiter – $60K–$115K

  4. Disability/Workers’ Compensation Nurse – $75K–$115K

  5. Quality Improvement Nurse – $80K–$150K

  6. Risk Management Nurse – $90K–$150K

  7. Insurance Nurse (Claims, Underwriting, Appeals) – $90K–$150K

  8. Healthcare Fraud Investigator – $70K–$130K

  9. Chart Auditor – $87K–$127K

  10. Clinical Compliance Specialist – $80K–$114K


 

📚 Education & Training

  1. Pharmaceutical Education Nurse – $80K–$130K

  2. Nursing School Instructor (LPN/RN/BSN) – $65K–$100K

  3. NCLEX Prep Instructor – $60K–$140K

  4. CPR/ACLS Instructor – $50K–$85K

  5. Corporate Trainer (Healthcare) – $75K–$110K

  6. Medical Device Clinical Educator – $85K–$120K

  7. Simulation Lab Coordinator – $60K–$100K

  8. Clinical Adjunct Faculty – $60K–$100K


 

🛒 Sales & Business

  1. Medical Device Sales Representative – $90K–$180K+ (base + commission)

  2. Pharmaceutical Sales Representative – $90K–$150K+ (base + commission)

  3. Healthcare Consultant – $90K–$150K

  4. Entrepreneur (Nurse-Owned Business, IV Hydration, Med Spa, Aesthetics, Care Agency, etc.) – Income Varies

  5. Concierge Nurse – $80K–$110K

  6. Health Coach – $50K–$100K

  7. Private Duty Nurse for High-Profile Clients – Income Varies


 

🖥️ Tech & Informatics

  1. Nurse Informaticist – $90K–$120K

  2. Clinical Application Specialist (EHR, Medical Software) – $85K–$120K

  3. Telemedicine Program Manager – $90K–$130K

  4. Electronic Health Record (EHR) Trainer – $75K–$110K


 

✍️ Writing & Media

  1. Medical Writer – $40K–$100K

  2. Healthcare Blogger/YouTuber/Social Media – Income Varies

  3. Medical Editor/Proofreader – $60K–$90K

  4. Nurse Podcaster – Income Varies

  5. Course Creator for Nurses (CEUs, Specialty Certifications, NCLEX Prep, etc.) – Income Varies


 

📺 Unusual & Fun Nursing Roles

  1. TV/Film Set Nurse – $70K–$120K

  2. Theme Park Nurse (Disney, Universal, etc.) – $60K–$120K

  3. Cruise Ship Nurse – $60K–$120K (includes housing)

  4. Oil Rig/Offshore Safety/Paramedic Nurse – $90K–$130K

  5. Expedition/Adventure Travel Nurse – $80K–$120K

  6. Tattoo Nurse – $75K–$110K

  7. Tattoo Removal Nurse – $75K–$110K


 

⚖️ Legal & Policy Roles

  1. Regulatory Affairs Nurse (FDA, Pharma, Medical Devices) – $90K–$140K

  2. Nurse Attorney (for RNs who go to law school) – $100K+

  3. Nurse Lobbyist – $90K–$150K

  4. Health Policy Nurse – $80K–$120K

  5. Legal Nurse Consultant – $85K–$150K


 

🏥 Health Compliance & Accreditation

  1. Healthcare Accreditation Specialist – $80K–$120K


 

🩺 Clinical & Patient-Facing Roles

  1. Nurse Educator – $70K–$100K

  2. Travel Nurse – $90K–$150K

  3. Aesthetic Nurse (Botox, Fillers, Laser Treatments) – $80K–$120K

  4. School Nurse – $50K–$75K

  5. Flight Nurse – $80K–$120K

  6. Occupational Health Nurse – $75K–$110K

  7. Hospice/Palliative Care Nurse – $60K–$90K

  8. Public Health Nurse – $60K–$85K

  9. Correctional Facility Nurse – $65K–$90K

  10. Active Duty Military Nurse – $70K–$120K, depending on rank and time in service, as well as housing and subsistence allowance.

  11. Nurse Case Manager – $75K–$100K

  12. Transplant Coordinator – $75K–$110K

  13. Telehealth Nurse – $65K–$95K

  14. IV Hydration & Mobile Infusion Nurse – $70K–$120K

  15. Home Health Nurse – $60K–$90K

  16. Forensic Nurse – $70K–$100K

  17. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) – $72K–$95K

  18. Clinical Nurse Researcher – $80K–$100K


 

How Did I Miss These?

How did I forget these?? As I find new jobs, I will add them here:

66. Camp Nurse – $28k- $42k per season

67. Laser Hair Removal Nurse– $74K- $90k

68. International Nurse Escort– Salary depends on how many variables, including how many assignments you take, number of legs, if you spend the night anywhere, etc.


 

The salaries listed above were pulled from a variety of sources, including ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor.com, Salary.com, and Indeed. Keep in mind that salaries can vary based on employer, experience, and location. While compiling this list, I noticed that different sources provided widely varying salary estimates, so I aimed for a conservative yet realistic range. Please be sure to conduct your own research and negotiate when looking for a new job.

This list definitely is not complete. I will continue to add to it as more job spotlights are added, so please bookmark this page and check back regularly.

 

Did I miss a job? Let me know in the comments so that I can add it!

 

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D/C Bedside- Charting Success Stories Beyond Patient Care

4 Responses

  1. I had no idea there were so many career options for nurses beyond patient care! This is really eye-opening, and I’m definitely going to share it with my friend who’s in the nursing field. Thanks for putting this together!

  2. My niece made a great career with her nurse degree. Now, she works in the hospital where they perform heart surgery on kids. Also she has been on a few missions to poor countries to help kids there.

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