Many nurses now explore side hustles that provide flexibility and extra income due to burnout. Recent data shows 54% of Americans earned additional income in their free time last year, while 36% already run side businesses. Registered nurses earn a decent salary of $86,070 annually, but this remains substantially lower than physicians’ typical earnings of $352,000-$363,000. This significant pay gap motivates nurses to seek additional income streams.

The healthcare industry’s evolution has made remote nursing side hustles more appealing than ever. Nurses can now use their expertise from home through various opportunities that keep them connected with developments in healthcare. Telehealth positions and educational roles give nurses many ways to earn extra income without the physical strain of bedside nursing. This piece explores different remote RN side jobs, including simple options that need minimal upfront investment but provide valuable professional and financial benefits.

Remote Clinical Side Hustles for Nurses

Technology advancements have pushed clinical nursing roles beyond hospital walls. Nurses now have legitimate remote side jobs to help them avoid bedside burnout.

1. Telehealth nursing

Telehealth nursing uses video conferencing and telecommunication technology to deliver patient care remotely. My role as a telehealth nurse would include helping patients with minor health problems and determining if they need emergency care. I would also provide medical advice through phone or video consultations. This position needs an active nursing license and clinical experience.

The money is good – telehealth RNs make between $74,017 to $95,000 each year ^[1]. Experience makes a big difference in earnings. Nurses with 20+ years of experience earn about $41.17 per hour while those with 1-4 years make $33.10 ^[1].

2. Virtual nurse triage

Virtual triage nursing lets me assess patient needs remotely and make proper referrals. The job involves checking medical concerns over the phone, teaching patients about health, and guiding them to the right medical facilities.

This job stands out as one of the most common work-from-home RN positions. You need excellent communication and decision-making skills. Telephone triage nurses earn around $87,000 annually ^[2], which makes it an attractive option for nurses wanting to work from home.

3. Remote case management

Remote case management gives nurses another way to work online. The role would have me coordinate patient care, create treatment plans, and help patients access healthcare services.

Working with insurance companies comes with the territory. I would conduct health assessments and connect patients with resources. Case management nurses earn a median salary of $98,000 per year ^[2]. This makes it one of the best-paying options for nurses with relevant experience.

4. Online immunization consulting

Nurses with vaccination expertise have a special chance to work in online immunization consulting. The CDC provides continuing education for healthcare providers about immunization topics ^[3]. This creates a path for nurses to become consultants in this field.

My role as an immunization consultant would involve teaching about vaccine schedules, storage protocols, and administration techniques through virtual platforms. I could help healthcare providers set up vaccination programs and stay updated with new recommendations.

Educational and Coaching Side Hustles

Nurses can turn their teaching skills into profitable side jobs while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

5. Online CPR and first aid instructor

The American Red Cross has an elite group of instructors who teach lifesaving skills to about 5.8 million people annually ^[4]. A certified CPR and first aid instructor certification is a great way to get started with remote work, especially when you have existing certifications.

You’ll need current provider certification in your chosen teaching discipline. The American Heart Association asks instructor candidates to finish online training modules, attend in-person sessions, and complete monitoring before getting their credentials ^[5]. Certified instructors can make $25-$40 per hour teaching virtual classes.

6. Tutoring nursing students remotely

Remote tutoring has become a profitable RN side job. Varsity Tutors offers base contract rates starting at $18 per hour, which can increase to $40 per hour for specialized subjects and repeat sessions ^[6]. Tutor Me Education actively looks for nursing instructors who can provide one-on-one and group instruction ^[7].

Job listings show steady opportunities across platforms. Pay ranges from $9.50 to over $60,000 annually based on expertise, commitment level, and employer ^[8]. Most positions ask for an active nursing license and teaching experience.

7. Health coaching via telehealth platforms

Health coaching has grown into an evidence-based remote nursing opportunity. Research shows that telehealth coaching with motivational interviewing techniques leads to substantially higher self-efficacy scores than usual care. These benefits last at least 9 months after the intervention ^[9].

Health coaches help patients create realistic goals, identify barriers, and develop solutions to overcome challenges. This method works well in rural areas where traditional face-to-face diabetes education isn’t easily available ^[9]. The role offers competitive pay and flexibility, making it ideal for nurses with strong communication skills.

Creative and Communication-Based Side Hustles

Nurses can leverage their communication skills into creative remote side hustles while keeping their professional satisfaction intact.

8. Freelance nurse writing

Medical writers with nursing backgrounds are in high demand by media outlets of all types. Nurse writers create specialized health content for websites, news outlets, and magazines. They earn an average of $42.00 per hour ^[10]. Their work typically covers:

• Patient brochures and educational materials
• Blog articles and website content
• Training materials including continuing education courses
• Medical app content and pharmaceutical materials

New writers can earn $200 per 1000-word article, while seasoned nurse writers command $300-$700 for similar length pieces ^[11]. Writers who put in dedicated effort can generate $150-$250 per month part-time within six months ^[11].

9. Nurse blogging or vlogging

Nursing blogs open up new ways to share expertise and generate income. Your blog can help establish authority in your nursing specialty and build connections with other professionals. It also helps develop your personal brand and boost your online presence.

Picking the right domain name creates that vital first impression with your readers ^[12]. Most people think blogging costs a lot, but you just need reliable hosting and some simple design tools to get started ^[13].

10. Becoming a nurse influencer on social media

Unlike traditional bedside nursing, nurse influencers share medical knowledge and experiences on Instagram and TikTok. These healthcare professionals often create nursing school tips or “day in the life” videos that educate and inspire others.

The money can be good – an MBO Partners report shows that 29% of creators and influencers earned more than $30,000 in 2023 ^[10]. Notwithstanding that, nurse influencers must stay within HIPAA guidelines and avoid sharing sensitive patient information ^[10].

The most successful nurse influencers blend their clinical expertise with engaging personalities and build supportive communities that help fellow nurses through tough times ^[14].

Administrative and Analytical Side Hustles

Nurses can turn their analytical mindset and attention to detail into profitable administrative side jobs. These opportunities give them flexibility and less physical strain.

11. Medical transcription

Medical transcriptionists turn healthcare providers’ voice recordings into written documents. A nursing background helps you understand medical terminology better while writing histories, diagnoses, and treatment plans. Medical transcriptionists make a median annual wage of $37,550 or $18.05 per hour ^[15]. Top performers can earn more than $53,890 ^[15].

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 5% drop in positions through 2033 ^[15]. This trend might reverse as doctors get burned out from doing their own documentation. Computer-generated reports have error rates of 7.4% while trained transcriptionists only have 0.4% ^[15]. This shows how valuable human expertise remains.

12. Chart review and utilization review

Utilization review nurses look at medical records to check if care matches evidence-based guidelines and insurance requirements. They evaluate hospital admissions, treatment plans, and care levels to ensure quality care at reasonable costs.

You can work from home with flexible hours, which makes this perfect for nurses looking for extra income. These roles usually involve checking prior authorizations, ongoing hospital stays, and completed care evaluations ^[16].

13. Medical billing and coding

Medical billing and coding specialists connect healthcare offices with insurance companies. Medical health information technicians earn a median annual pay of $50,250 or $24.16 per hour ^[17]. Certified professionals make $66,186—8.5% more than their non-certified colleagues ^[17].

A second certification can boost average salaries to $79,988 ^[17]. The field should grow 9% between 2023 and 2033 ^[17]. This makes it a stable online side job for nurses. RN coders bring extra value because they understand clinical aspects of diagnostic codes.

14. Participating in medical surveys

Medical surveys are one of the simplest ways nurses can earn extra money. Healthcare organizations and pharmaceutical companies value nurses’ clinical insights. Short surveys (5-15 minutes) pay $5-$50 while in-depth studies offer $100-$500+ ^[18].

Nurses can complete surveys during breaks between shifts to maximize their earnings. Platforms like Sermo, MedSurvey, and ZoomRx connect healthcare workers with relevant opportunities ^[1]. Active participants can earn $10,000+ yearly ^[18] while helping shape future healthcare solutions.

Conclusion

Nurses looking for extra income or feeling burned out at the bedside have many side hustle options available. The right skills and ambition can open doors to flexible opportunities that improve work-life balance by a lot. These roles let you use your valuable nursing knowledge in different ways. Remote clinical positions like telehealth nursing and case management without doubt offer great earning potential. Educational roles give us ways to share expertise without the physical demands of hospital work.

Nurse writing and social media influence are exciting ways to reach broader audiences while earning competitive rates. Detail-oriented nurses who prefer analyzing information over direct patient care will find administrative roles appealing. You can scale these options around your schedule – perfect for occasional extra income or a gradual move away from traditional nursing.

Your specific nursing background, interests, and financial goals will shape the perfect side hustle for you. Starting small with medical surveys or freelance writing helps build confidence before taking on bigger roles like telehealth positions. Whatever path you choose, remote side hustles help preserve our wellbeing while contributing meaningfully to healthcare. Your nursing expertise brings tremendous value beyond the hospital setting. Learning about these alternatives might just spark your passion for the profession while boosting your financial future.

FAQs

Q1. What are some popular remote side hustles for nurses? Popular remote side hustles for nurses include telehealth nursing, virtual nurse triage, remote case management, online immunization consulting, and health coaching via telehealth platforms. These options allow nurses to leverage their clinical skills from home while maintaining a flexible schedule.

Q2. How much can nurses earn from side hustles? Earnings from nursing side hustles vary widely. Telehealth nurses can make between $74,000 to $95,000 annually, while freelance nurse writers earn an average of $42 per hour. Medical survey participation can generate $5-$50 for short surveys and up to $500 for in-depth studies. Some nurse influencers even report earning over $30,000 per year.

Q3. Are there any creative side hustles for nurses? Yes, nurses can pursue creative side hustles such as freelance medical writing, starting a nursing blog or vlog, and becoming a social media influencer in the healthcare niche. These options allow nurses to share their expertise, build a personal brand, and potentially earn income through content creation and sponsorships.

Q4. What administrative side hustles are available for nurses? Nurses can explore administrative side hustles like medical transcription, chart review and utilization review, and medical billing and coding. These roles typically offer flexible schedules and the ability to work from home, making them ideal for nurses looking to reduce physical demands while utilizing their medical knowledge.

Q5. How can nurses get started with online tutoring or teaching? Nurses can begin online tutoring or teaching by becoming certified CPR and first aid instructors, tutoring nursing students remotely, or offering health coaching services. Platforms like Varsity Tutors and Tutor Me Education connect qualified nurses with students. Requirements usually include an active nursing license and relevant teaching experience.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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