Median Salary: $47,000
Nontraditional nursing jobs provide many rewarding opportunities to work outside hospital settings, in other clinical environments, such as nursing homes and community out-patient clinics, or in administrative or educational positions. These career paths, often non-bedside nursing jobs, offer unique possibilities to pursue specialized interests.
Non-hospital nursing jobs offer possibilities both within the healthcare industry and in non-medical fields. These types of jobs enable nursing professionals to apply their knowledge and people skills in positions as supervisors, educators, and advocates within the healthcare industry, in businesses, and in community and private settings. Nurses might work in coaching, academia, legal roles, or in public health and policy positions.
RNs looking for non-bedside nursing jobs within healthcare facilities may still develop meaningful connections with patients by providing patient care. These professionals can find an array of rewarding employment opportunities in out-patient facilities, community clinics, and in other non-hospital settings, including roles as hospice nurses, dialysis nurses, and nurse midwives.
This guide offers an overview of alternative careers for registered nurses in non-hospital settings.
Median Salary: $47,000
Because most positions require a strong background in written communication, research, and health sciences, entering this field typically requires a BSN.
Median Salary: $72,000
Licensed RNs who have completed at least an associate degree may enter this field. Employment options increase for RNs who hold a BSN and a record of clinical and case management experience, paralegal training, or specialized legal certification.
Median Salary: $78,000
Licensed nurses interested in pursuing hospice nursing must hold at least a BSN. Employment prospects increase for nurses who have completed the certified hospice and palliative nurse (CHPN) certification.
Median Salary: $67,000
Many employers seek public health nurses who have earned a master of science in nursing (MSN) in addition to their RN license. To expand employment and salary potential, professionals should consider a dual MSN and master’s in public health and the advanced public health nursing certification (PHNA-BC).
Median Salary: $59,000
Licensed RNs who have completed a BSN earn the most competitive salaries for this role, one the best nursing jobs outside hospital settings. Employers generally prefer to hire professionals holding specialized certifications from the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses.
Median Salary: $69,000
Although licensed RNs often find employment without completing one of the certification programs offered by various nurse credentialing organizations, certified nurse case managers attract better career opportunities and higher salaries.
Median Salary: $72,000
Median Salary: $70,00
Although each state maintains its own licensing and certification regulations, nurse midwives typically hold an RN license, a graduate degree with a nurse midwife concentration, and certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board.
Median Salary: $97,000
Careers in nursing education generally require a graduate degree, increasingly at the doctoral level. In addition to clinical experience and advanced graduate training, candidates for nurse education positions must obtain the certified nurse educator credential.
Median Salary: $76,000
Depending on the employer, nurses typically work 8-12 hours a day, in daytime shifts or evening and weekend rotations. Non-hospital nursing jobs, including those in nurse education or legal nurse consulting, typically offer traditional eight-hour, five-day shifts.
Some nurses may find the least stressful and easiest nursing jobs in non-clinical settings working as nurse administrators or nurse educators. While these kinds of alternative jobs for nurses may offer less emotionally and physically demanding working conditions, every nursing career involves challenges and stress, even for nurses that do not deal with patients directly.
Because clinical positions require long shifts with large amounts of standing, walking, and lifting, older nurses sometimes look for less strenuous work environments. Nontraditional nursing jobs, such as nurse health coaches, nurse educators, and occupational nurses, offer less physically demanding employment options.
Although many clinical positions still require in-person patient care, work-from-home nursing jobs have become more common. Non-hospital nursing jobs, such as academic nurse writing, legal nurse consulting, and even nurse case management, often involve remote work.
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