Nurses play a vital role in our health, safety, and economy but are also prone to high burnout rates. Recent data shows that 34% of hospital nurses and 37% of nursing home nurses report feeling burnt out with numbers on the rise. Whether you want to take a step back from your field or work part-time and supplement your income, a nurse side hustle can be fun, rewarding, and a lucrative way to put more money in your pocket. Whether you want to work a few hours a week or scale your nurse side hustle, here’s how to get started on your new venture.
NCLEX Tutor
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN® exam) is incredibly challenging for even the brightest students. Offer your services as an experienced nurse to students preparing for the NCLEX Exam with hopes of entering the field. This nurse side hustle offers a low barrier to entry where all you need is an internet connection, phone, and a few hours a week. Tutor a small group of students for a win-win situation. They end up paying a smaller rate while you earn more for tutoring multiple people at once. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can also teach others how to study and what to watch out for in the NXFLEX exam online with your own YouTube channel.
Lice Removal
Lice removal businesses are always in demand for multiple members of the same family. Keep your overhead low and add a premium to travel to people’s homes, or set-up shop in your own space. You can set your own schedule and command high rates for a few hours of work. Read more about how Timika Downes went from a school nurse by day to a lice removal specialist in her spare time to grow a thriving side hustle.
Content Writer
Nurses with a passion for writing can command high rates as a content writer. Jobs for health publications, marketing materials for health companies, and B2B health blogs all need experienced medical professionals to write. Unlike other freelance writing niches, healthcare and nursing related content can command upwards of $500 an article or beyond. The best part about this nurse side hustle idea is it’s easy to start. Get up and running by repurposing your knowledge and skills you already have. Focus on a niche within your nursing expertise like cardiac or pulmonary health. The more you can focus on a specific niche, the more you can earn.
Niche Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant is one of my favorite side gigs because it’s so varied and you get to learn new things as you go. Virtual assistants help businesses like health clinics, health bloggers, small businesses, and anyone else you want to work run their business. As a nurse side hustle, you can pick and choose the tasks you enjoy like Pinterest Pin creation and management, copywriting, appointment setting, email inbox management, and business operations. Some virtual assistants work full-time, or you can book yourself at 5 hours a week or less to focus on specific tasks.
Seasonal Flu Clinic Assistant
Nurses were already in high demand, but the escalation of COVID and flu season makes nurses urgently needed. Nurses looking for extra cash will always be in demand for vaccinations and flu clinics that serve the public. Public schools and large job campuses also hire nurses to vaccinate large populations for a weekend of work. Try partnering with a local pharmacy or small medical practice to find flexible side hustles on weekends and after hours.
CPR Instructor
CPR Instructors enjoy a flexible schedule, help their community, and can command a decent rate for afternoon workshops. You will likely need to get certified as a CPR instructor to train the public or other trainers. Although rates are decent for this nurse side hustle, you can command higher rates offering workshops at corporations or for a large group. Find gigs as a CPR instructor at community centers, local fire stations, and private companies looking to bring workplace training and safety courses to their employees.
Telehealth Nurse
Even before we were practicing social distancing and sheltering in place during coronavirus, telehealth was already on the rise. Instead of patients coming into the office, they can hop on a telehealth video chat to discuss their health concerns with doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. Check-in with medical staffing companies and recruiters looking to fill telehealth positions.
Care Giver
Nurses who have a few hours a week and love the care giving part of their job can offer their services in the evening, weekends, or off-days. Work with a company focused on connecting caregivers to those in need, or spread the word that you’re looking for clients. Your skills as a nurse and health expert can command higher rates than other care givers in your space. Get started with Home Health Compare to find agencies in your area to turn this nurse side hustle into reality.
In an ideal world, your nurse side hustle is something you enjoy that alleviates the stress of work in a hospital or urgent care clinic. You can also look to get out of your immediate field while still using your experience and degree with the right side hustle. Decide on how much income you really need and align your side hustle to find more balance in your life. If you need more ideas, here’s a round-up of side jobs from home that are easy to start.