For many careers, side hustles are a way to supplement income. Nursing is no exception and might be one of the most flexible jobs to find an extra gig. Nurses have valuable, specialized skills and their schedules leave them with extra time to pursue other income streams.
“Nurses are always juggling something extra—whether it’s a side hustle, a per diem job or another source of income alongside their primary role,” says Helena Faustin, founder of That Nurse Can Cook, a cooking blog she started in 2018 while working as a neonatal intensive care nurse.
So why is this possible for nurses? It’s largely because of their schedules.
“Nurses work three 12-hour shifts or four 10-hour shifts a week in hospitals,” says Daniella Flores, a side hustle expert whose mom was also a nurse. “That leaves several days each week free to pursue side gigs or passion projects.”
If you’re a nurse looking to make extra income, here are four side hustles to consider. One of them can pay up to $431 per hour.
1. Outpatient Care: A Low-Stress Option
For nurses who want to stay in their field but in a less demanding environment, outpatient care is the way to go. Whether it’s working in outpatient clinics, pharmacies or providing in-home care, nurses can easily find ways to use their skills in a less stressful setting than a hospital.
- Outpatient Clinics: Outpatient settings are generally more relaxed than hospitals, with less of the high-pressure of dealing with emergencies. “It’s a great way for nurses to make extra money without the constant stress of hospital work,” says Flores. Websites like nursejobboard.com, jobs.ana.org and nursefern.com feature many of these opportunities, some of which are remote. Nationwide, part-time outpatient nurses can earn an average of $39 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.
- Pharmacies: During flu season or other vaccination campaigns, pharmacies hire nurses to administer flu shots and other vaccines. It’s a seasonal opportunity but flexible and low-stress. According to Flores, nurses can make around $15 per hour administering vaccines, depending on the region and employer. It’s a simple, no-fuss way for nurses to make extra money during busy seasons.
- In-Home Care and Senior Care: Sites like Care.com allow nurses to find jobs providing in-home care or working at senior living facilities. These roles are much less stressful than hospital jobs as nurses care for just one person at a time. “It’s so much easier than working in a hospital,” says Kathy Kristof, founder of SideHusl.com “because you’re only looking after one person and it’s generally a slower paced environment.”
For nurses who want to use their skills but avoid the high-stress of hospital work, outpatient care is a great alternative where they can make a difference in people’s lives and earn extra money.
2. Legal Consulting: Use Your Medical Knowledge for Big Bucks
For nurses looking for a side hustle outside of direct patient care, legal consulting is an option that pays well and allows them to use their medical skills in a different way. Nurses are in high demand in the legal field to provide expert consultation for various cases, especially those that require medical opinions or testimony.
Here are ways nurses can get involved in legal consulting:
- Case Reviews: Nurses can work as medical consultants by reviewing case documents for legal teams. Lawyers need professionals to verify facts in medical malpractice, injury or healthcare-related lawsuits. Nurses with a keen eye for detail and a solid understanding of medical procedures can make $208 per hour just for reviewing documentation.
- Depositions: When legal teams need a deeper dive into the facts of a case, nurses can be called upon to provide depositions, sharing their expert opinions based on medical records and their experience. Nurses can make $275 per hour for deposition testimony.
- Court Appearances: In some cases, nurses are asked to be expert witnesses in court. This requires a solid understanding of medical facts and the ability to explain them in a legal context. Nurses can make up to $431 per hour for court appearances.
Expert Institute connects nurses with legal teams that need their expertise. This side hustle is financially rewarding and a break from hands-on patient care so it’s perfect for those who want to diversify their experience.
3. Tutoring Future Nurses: Share Your Knowledge
For nurses who love teaching and mentoring, tutoring is a fulfilling and lucrative side hustle. With nursing programs getting more rigorous and competitive, there’s always a demand for experienced nurses to guide the next generation of healthcare professionals.
- Nursing Tutoring: Nurses can offer tutoring services to students preparing for their nursing exams, especially those taking the NCLEX or other certification exams. “If you’re still connected with your alumni association or nursing school, that’s a great way to find students who need help,” says Flores. Tutoring nursing students can be in-person or online and you can set your own hours.
- Platforms for Tutoring: There are several platforms where nurses can offer their services, including Wyzant and Varsity Tutors. Some nursing tutors on these platforms charge up to $65 per hour. Nurses can also join specialty Facebook groups or forums where students ask for advice and guidance which can lead to tutoring opportunities.
- Preparing to Tutor: If you’re considering this path, it’s helpful to prepare a structured curriculum or set of resources that can be customized to each student’s needs. This can range from NCLEX prep materials to offering guidance on clinical skills and study strategies. Tutoring can be both rewarding and flexible, you can work with students on your own schedule and share your passion for nursing.
4. Medical Writing: Turn Your Expertise into Content
For nurses who love writing, medical writing is a great way to combine healthcare knowledge with creativity. This field is broad and offers many opportunities for nurses to contribute to healthcare content in various formats.
- Patient Education: Nurses can create materials such as brochures, guides and educational content to help patients understand their health conditions or treatments. This type of writing requires a balance between medical accuracy and readability for the general public.
- Medical Journals and Textbooks: There’s also demand for formal medical writing such as contributing to textbooks, writing journal articles or editing medical papers. Nurses who love research and education can thrive in this area.
- Freelance Platforms: Websites like nursefern.com and professional associations like the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) have job boards and resources for medical writers. According to Indeed, medical writers can make an average of $67 per hour depending on the project and level of expertise required.
- How to Get Started: For nurses interested in medical writing, it’s helpful to start by building a portfolio. Begin with small writing assignments such as blog posts or patient brochures and gradually move to more technical writing. Over time, nurses can build a solid freelance business by offering writing services to healthcare companies, educational institutions and publishers.
Bottom Line
The nursing profession has flexibility not just in daily work but also in the many side hustles that can add to your income and career growth. Whether it’s outpatient care, legal consulting, tutoring or medical writing, nurses have many options to use their expertise in new and profitable ways.
At TLC Nursing, we encourage nurses to explore all options that add to their professional life. Whether you’re looking for new opportunities in healthcare or interested in finding side hustles that fit your schedule, we’re here for you.
