Are you tired of spending your days bedside nursing?
Is nurse burnout knocking on your door?
Don’t let that feeling affect your love for the nursing profession.
You can always opt for another nursing specialty that gives you better time flexibility or just different nursing duties.
In fact, the healthcare industry is full of unconventional nursing opportunities that don’t even require a hospital setting.
Here’s an overview of interesting non-bedside nursing jobs that nobody talks about:
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Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs Quiz
To get you started, try out our non-bedside nursing quiz to see which non-traditional nursing job you should really look at.
Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs
1. NASCAR Nurse
Fast, furious, and fun.
Joining NASCAR’s medical staff is guaranteed to be an adventure like no other.
You’ll be providing medical attention to drivers, crew members, officials and spectators present onsite (source).
The infield medical station will be equipped to address minor and major medical emergencies.
These range from stitches, removal of foreign objects from eyes to trauma cases (source).
Additionally, you can serve as part of the first responder’s team to provide medical attention to drivers on the crash site.
Other duties will include following up on the injured driver’s recovery as they prepare to return to extreme racing.
You can also work as a medical liaison coordinator (MLC). As an MLC you’ll work with NASCAR Research and Development to improve the safety standards of each event.
What are the requirements?
NASCAR nurses need professional experience in ER, cardiac, trauma or intensive care before applying for the job.
Having some exposure to ambulance care will also be appreciated.
Like all other nursing jobs, the registered nurse (RN) must provide a valid state approved license to practice.
Routine training sessions and obtaining more certificates in relevant medical fields is a plus.
Expected Salary: $45,000-$80,000 /year
➡️ Find NASCAR nurse positions on the nurse job board.
2. Disney Nurse
Is this a real nursing job? Will you have to wear a costume? Is experience in pediatric care mandatory?
These are some of the most frequently asked questions applicants ask when they see the posting for a Disney Nurse.
The job might sound whimsical, but it demands a serious work ethic and standard nursing skills to excel.
The nursing staff usually assists physicians and medical practitioners appointed by the firm.
Your duties will include offering patient-care for guests/staff of the resort and attending to medical emergencies in the theme park.
The only setback is that you may have to work during the holidays because that’s the busiest time of the year.
However, you can look forward to meeting many Disney characters and work with them to spread smiles during your time there.
What are the requirements?
Here’s a general overview of job requirements:
- 3+ years of nursing experience
- BLS certified
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Exposure in ER and pediatric care is desirable
Expected Salary: $60,000 per annum including many perks (source)
➡️ Find Disney nurse positions on the nurse job board.
3. Cruise Ship/Yacht Nurse
Want to travel around the world?
Then you’ll love working as a nurse on a cruise ship or a yacht.
A lot can go wrong during a long voyage, especially when you’ve got passengers that are prone to get seasick.
Keeping this in mind, many cruise ships have an operating medical facility on board.
As a nurse, you’ll provide patient care while guests and staff are treated for both minor health issues and emergencies.
You can expect the vessel to be stocked with necessary supplies and proper medical wards with required equipment (e.g. X-ray machines) (source).
The shortage of staff means you’ll have to perform additional duties whenever required.
If you’re not up for a long voyage, then you can apply as a yacht nurse for shorter trips.
How to get this job?
The basic qualifications for this job are similar to general nursing jobs.
The only difference is that you’ll be practicing in the middle of an ocean instead of a clinic or hospital.
Most cruise lines want applicants to have:
- Minimum of 3 years of working experience
- Experience in an emergency setting e.g., acute care or ER
- Training in advanced cardiac life support
If necessary, some cruise lines will request their candidates to enroll in various emergency training courses to prepare them for critical situations.
Expected Salary: $3000 to $5000 per month
➡️ Find cruise ship and yacht nurse positions on the nursing job board.
Find Your Next Nursing Job
Use our nursing job board to start looking for and applying to great nursing jobs near you.
4. Flight Nurse
Can you keep your cool when you’re over fifty feet above the ground?
Flight nursing takes your career to great heights as you reach critical care patients via a helicopter.
In most cases, you’ll offer them immediate medical care and attention at the site.
At others, you’ll accompany them while they’re being transported to the nearest medical care facility.
Most flight nurses paired with paramedics, act as first respondents (source).
Being a flight nurse requires teamwork, patience, and courage to work in these time-sensitive scenarios.
Many flight nurses are part of teams that organize search and rescue missions to find lost hikers/mountaineers in remote areas (source).
Does this job require special training?
Yes. Flight nurses are supposed to provide advanced critical care and make autonomous decisions without the aid of doctors.
For this reason, candidates must have extensive knowledge and professional practice in trauma.
Basic requirements include:
- 3-5 years of experience in advanced critical care or trauma units
- Completion of Department of Transportation Air Medical Curriculum
- CPR/Basic Life Support (BLS) certified
- Passing a fitness test to meet the physical and weight requirements
Apart from this, employers may request you get certified for Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) and other relevant courses or certifications.
Expected Salary: $65,000 to 70,000/ year
➡️ Find available flight nurse positions on our nursing job board.
5. Forensic Nurse
If you’ve ever watched a crime show (let’s say Bones or Law & Order: SVU) then you’ve probably seen a forensics team in action. Believe it or not, this is a potential career for you!
Forensic nurses are on the front lines of criminal justice that deals with abuse, violence, or trauma (source).
They provide medical care and emotional support to the victims of the crime.
It’s also their responsibility to collect and document forensic evidence present on the victim’s body.
The evidence is later presented to the jury for which you may have to testify.
You also get to collaborate with law enforcement officials and district attorneys during the case.
What are the requirements?
Courses in medical law, psychology, and criminal justice will all come in handy for a forensic nurse.
You should also be capable of working under pressure and confident enough to appear in front of the judge.
The basic qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s Degree in nursing with forensics as a specialty
- Training in law and criminal system
- Required certifications depending on the firm
- Job experience in trauma units/ER
Expected Salary: $46,509 to $90,960/year
➡️ Find available forensic nurse positions on our job board.
6. Nurse Informatics
Digitization is rapidly taking over the medical world which means hospitals are in dire need of medical professionals who know tech.
Here is where nurse informatics comes in bringing their strong aptitude for technical information and advanced IT skills to the workplace.
Your role is to supervise digital documentation of medical records and register frequent IT complaints.
Sometimes you’ll work on the floor to help troubleshoot problems and fix software glitches.
At others, you’ll be asked to train the nursing staff as the department embraces changes related to technology.
All in all, the work will require maximum screen time and zero bedside nursing responsibilities.
How to get this job?
Similar to forensic nurses, this job requires specialization in the field. That’s because you’re being employed for an exclusive position within the team.
The basic requirements include:
- BSN/MSN degree in Informatics
- Informatics Nursing Certification by ANA
- Advanced technical skills
According to ScrubsMag getting your nursing informatics degree usually requires fewer clinical hours than other MSN degrees (source).
Expected Salary: $60,000-80,000 annually
➡️ Find available nurse informatics positions on the nursing job board.
7. Esthetic Nurse
Esthetic nurses assist doctors in performing cosmetic procedures in clinics and medical spas.
The nurses are trained to enhance the patient’s beauty by performing certain procedures. Most of these techniques require little or no surgery.
Common techniques include:
- Platelet-rich plasma treatment to treat skin conditions
- Electrolysis to prevent unwanted hair growth
- Botox injections to remove wrinkles
- Cool sculpting
How to become a cosmetic nurse?
To become a Certified Esthetic Nurse Specialist, you will require (source):
- Undergraduate degree in nursing
- Minimum 2 years of work experience as an RN
- 1000 hours of training under the supervision of a licensed physician
- Specialized certificates and courses depending on the company’s job requirement
Expected Salary: $ 70,000/year
➡️ Find available esthetic nurse positions on the Nurse Money Talk job board.
Related Article: How to Become a Cosmetic Nurse
8. Camp Nurse
Want to take a break from an indoor setting?
You can get all the fresh air you want as a camp nurse.
The role requires you to treat and care for residential campers on the site.
The campers come to the clinic for first-aid, upset stomach and an occasional bout of homesickness.
You’re the first part of the triage which determines whether the camper needs hospital care during emergencies.
Overall, being a camp nurse is strictly a seasonal job. It can, however, be part of a medical awareness or recreational program organized for patients and their loved ones.
What are the requirements?
Securing this spot is fairly easy because you don’t need specialized training for it.
Most camp communities want their nurses to have a BSN or associates degree in nursing.
A BLS (Basic Life Support) and CPR and first aid certificates are a must for the settings you’re going to be in.
Work experience requirement varies depending on the type of camp you’re joining. If you’ve opted for a weight loss, fitness or mental health camp then you’ll need relevant training.
Expected Salary: $350-500 per week
➡️ Find available camp nurse positions on the nursing job board.
Related Article: 10 Nursing Jobs that Involve Working With Children
9. Correctional Nurse
Prison cells and juvenile detention centers appoint correctional nurses to treat their inmates.
The job involves an experienced nurse to manage medication and treatment of chronic illnesses. They also care for the mental wellbeing of the residents.
The daily duties consist of routine checkups, first aid, and stabilization during emergencies.
Their assessments allow the administration to decide when critically ill inmates need advanced medical attention. They then call in doctors or transfer the patient to a proper healthcare provider.
What are the requirements?
Correctional healthcare providers are seasoned nurses with:
- An associate or bachelors degree in nursing
- 2 years of fulltime practice as an RN or LPN
- Current CCHP-RN certification in correctional nursing (optional)
Expected Salary: $68,000/year
➡️ Find available correctional nurse positions on the nurse job board.
Related Article: Tips for New Correctional Nurses
10. Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC)
Legal Nurse Consultants are the medium between legal professionals, healthcare providers, and patients.
Various medical facilities, legal firms, insurance agencies, and other organizations appoint them for consultation during medical-legal cases.
They use their clinical background to provide insights into the case.
The job involves researching medical law and interpreting medical documents for legal aids. Their analysis allows attorneys to present convincing evidence during the trial.
How to become an LNC?
The job requires advanced researching, deduction, and analytical skills. You should also have extensive knowledge of medical law and the judicial system to qualify.
Educational requirements include:
- BSN or associate degree in nursing
- Current RN license
- Certification from the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (optional)
Expected Salary: $59,686 – $206,906 per year
➡️ Find available legal nurse consulting positions on our job board.
Related Article: Can You Work From Home as a Nurse?
Find Your Next Nursing Job
Use our nursing job board to start looking for and applying to great nursing jobs near you.
11. Nurse Case Manager
As the name suggests, a nurse case manager supervises different aspects of an individual patient’s care.
They usually handle cases of patients transferred from other hospitals, nursing home or assisted-living facilities.
The role includes:
- Maintain the patient’s medical record
- Inform healthcare providers of significant changes
- Obtain medical history from previous doctors
- Monitoring quality of the medical care provided
- Administrating infection control and risk management
- Developing suitable healthcare treatment plans
Besides this, you’re responsible for corresponding with the patient’s family and answering their queries regarding the patient care plan.
What are the requirements?
Nurse Case Managers are individuals who like to be in control. Your organizational skills, resourcefulness, and coordination capabilities will all come into play here.
Your qualifications must include:
- Bachelor’s degree or advanced nursing degree
- 1-2 years of experience as an RN
- A valid practicing license
- Certificate from the Commission of Case Management Certification (CCMC)
Additionally, you can acquire a certificate from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) after a few years of experience in this field.
The certificate will help you get promotions or advanced-level jobs.
Expected Salary: Annual salary starts from $60,000
This job provides a steady income for anyone who wishes to hold a long-term job.
You can expect the pay-scale to increase with experience and if you continue to participate in extra training courses.
➡️ Find available nurse case manager positions on our job board.
Related Article: 9 Best Work From Home Nursing Jobs
12. Nurse Educator
A nurse educator oversees the educational aspect of nursing. They are involved in developing lesson plans and training courses for nursing programs.
Most of their work is aimed towards preparing RNs and licensed practical nurses (LPN) for practice.
Other duties involve conducting training sessions and briefing the nursing staff about the latest advancements in evidence-based practice.
They ensure that practicing nurses are aware of the standard protocol and modern procedures in their field.
Requirements
Nurse educators are academically inclined professionals with strong organization and planning skills.
They should know how to coordinate with different educational departments and adapt lesson plans to align with the developments in the curriculum.
Basic qualifications include:
- Qualified RN with at least 5 years of experience
- Post-graduate degrees in general or specialized nursing
- Doctorate degrees (optional)
Nurse educators are employed in both academic and clinical settings.
Expected salary: $74,591/year
➡️ Find available nurse educator positions on our job board.
13. Parish Nurse
Parish nursing integrates nursing with spiritual healing.
The nurses operate within religious communities to treat members of the congregation. They are RN specialists who offer both medical advice and alternative (spiritual) healing methods to their patients.
They often create religiously-inclined health plans for the community.
Additionally, they support and educate congregational families on how to deal with issues of addiction, teen pregnancies, and abuse just to name a few.
How to become a parish nurse?
After becoming an RN, you’ll have to take parish nursing courses to prepare for this profession.
The programs will provide you with guidelines to combine religious teachings during the practice. You usually don’t need additional certificates to qualify for this job.
Expected Salary: $71,081/year
➡️ Find available parish nurse positions on our job board.
14. Home Health Nurse
Home health nurses provide one-to-one care for patients in their homes. Home health patients have a wide range of diagnoses such as diabetes or medical disability.
Their responsibilities include:
- Routine checkups
- Giving injections
- Collecting samples for medical tests
- Managing medication
- Changing dressings and checking for bedsores
Besides this, they coordinate with doctors to develop healthcare plans for the patient.
Then educate and inform the patient and their guardians on how to follow the set guidelines.
How to become a home care nurse?
Most licensed RN and LPN with a bachelor’s degree in nursing can pursue this career.
They only require a few years of experience to qualify. Employers rarely ask for extra credentials unless the patient requires specialized care.
However, obtaining an MSN degree could give you better career opportunities.
Expected Salary:$40,617 – $81,685/ year
➡️ Find available home health nurse positions on our job board.
15. Nurse Writer
A nurse writer is someone who researches and writes medical articles for different companies.
Many pharmaceuticals, medical suppliers and healthcare organization hire writers with clinical backgrounds to act as a spokesperson for their publications.
According to one article, even ‘television or movie scripts’ may ask former nurses for editorial consultation to ensure credibility and accuracy (source).
It’s an interesting prospect for nurses who have proficient writing skills.
General assignments range from medical articles, marketing content to research papers, with an odd opportunity to give your two-cents on a fictional setting.
At times, nurse writers can perform the duties of editors and proofreaders for their employers.
How to become a nurse writer?
Anyone with a BSN degree and prior nursing experience can become a writer.
You simply need to brush up your writing and communication skills. After this, you can try freelancing for a while before you land a professional project.
However, keep in mind that certain positions do require writers to take advanced writing courses or hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism or media science.
Expected Salary: $47,852 to $125,906 /annum
➡️ Find available nurse writer positions on our job board.
Important Note: We’ve listed average salaries for the non-bedside nursing jobs listed above. The real pay may vary depending on the institution/company you apply to. Your work experience, designation, and the city can also contribute to the total figure.
The Bottom Line
Nursing is no longer restricted to the bedside. With the right degree and experience, you can apply your nursing education in numerous settings. Whether you’re a new grad and you’ve just sat for the NCLEX-RN or have been practicing for years―this is something you can look forward to when you need a change.
Did any of these non-bedside nursing jobs strike your fancy?
Share your comments below.
