15 Nursing Jobs That Take Place Away from the Bedside

Nurse clinical researchers play a key role in advancing the profession by conducting and supporting clinical trials and studies. They can work in academic institutions, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, or government agencies.

Key responsibilities include designing, implementing, collecting, and analyzing patient data, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and ensuring regulatory compliance. You must have an active RN license and an MSN or a doctoral degree. Employers also usually prefer certifications such as certified clinical research professional (CCRP).

A forensic nurse provides specialized care to people involved in a criminal case, violence, or trauma. Forensic nurses collect evidence, document injuries, and testify in court. They can work in hospitals, law enforcement agencies, or with sexual assault response teams.

Key responsibilities include assessing and treating victims, collecting and preserving evidence, documenting injuries, and collaborating with law enforcement and social service agencies. Employers prefer training in forensic nursing, such as through the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certification.

An infection prevention and control nurse specializes in preventing and controlling the spread of infections within a healthcare setting. They can also work in non-healthcare settings like schools. Key responsibilities include developing policies, conducting surveillance, and educating staff to reduce healthcare-associated infections.

They monitor and document trends, investigate outbreaks, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure compliance with governmental regulations. An infection control nurse must have an active RN license, clinical experience, and strong epidemiology and data analysis skills. Employers usually prefer candidates with certification in infection control from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC).

An insurance nurse auditor reviews medical records and billing data to ensure that patient services are documented correctly, medically necessary, and accurately coded. The position requires a unique attention to detail.

The position requires experience in clinical care and medical billing and coding. Employers prefer candidates with knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance policies, and certifications such as Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC).

A legal nurse consultant uses clinical expertise to help legal teams interpret medical data and understand standards of care. They can also serve as expert witnesses or advisors in malpractice, personal injury, or workers’ compensation cases.

Employers typically prefer those with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) for this position. Candidates must also have a strong understanding of medical legal principles, analytical thinking, and communication skills. Employers prefer candidates with certifications from organizations like the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants.

A pharmaceutical sales rep promotes and sells approved medications or products to healthcare professionals. They serve as a link between drug manufacturers and providers.

You’ll develop and maintain relationships with providers and monitor market trends and competitor products. A clinical background as an RN is a strong advantage. Employers also prefer candidates with a Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative (CNPR) certification.

A nurse administrator oversees the operations of the nursing department within healthcare systems. They are responsible for hiring and firing staff, budgets, and creating policies to ensure high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, and efficient clinical operations. They manage budgets, allocate resources, and collaborate with physicians, executives, and other departments.

You must have at least a BSN, but a master of science in nursing (MSN) or master of healthcare administration (MHA) is preferred. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are also important. Nurses with certifications such as Nurse Executive (NE-BC) or Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) are often preferred.

Nurse case managers act as liaisons between patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. They help coordinate comprehensive care for patients with chronic illnesses and complex conditions while ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality care. In addition to the logistical responsibilities, you assess a patient’s medical, emotional, and social needs to develop an individualized care plan.

You’ll monitor patient progress, educate patients and families, and collaborate with multidisciplinary care teams. A BSN is preferred, along with strong clinical experience and organizational skills. Employers prefer certifications such as Certified Case Manager (CCM) or Accredited Case Manager (ACM).

Nurse educators train and mentor current or future nurses in various academic and clinical settings. They blend their clinical experience with teaching expertise to prepare future nurses for safe, evidence-based practice. Their job responsibilities include evaluating student performance, providing feedback, and mentoring students in their academic and professional development.

They may also participate in curriculum development and accreditation processes. Depending on the setting, the role may require a BSN or an MSN, but nursing schools prefer a doctoral degree in nursing for full-time faculty and certifications such as the certified nurse educator (CNE).

Some nurse educators specialize in patient education. The most common example is a diabetic patient educator, but some specialize in oncology, cardiac, respiratory, lactation, or wound care education.

Nurse entrepreneurs can use clinical knowledge and business skills to create and manage a healthcare-related business. Various ventures include consulting, health coaching, podcasting, and writing. Your key responsibilities and relevant skills may vary.

You manage the daily operations, budgeting, and marketing to ensure that your company flourishes and complies with regulations and ethical standards. Depending on the business, an RN license may be necessary. Business training or certifications may be beneficial but are not always necessary.

Nursing informatics specialists integrate nursing science with data management to improve patient care and streamline clinical workflow. They are a bridge between the clinical staff and the IT department. Your responsibilities may include training staff and clinicians on new technology, developing and optimizing electronic health record (EHR) systems, and ensuring your organization complies with regulations.

The role requires an active RN license with a BSN. However, most employers prefer a master’s in nursing informatics. You must have clinical experience, strong technical and analytical skills, and be familiar with EHR systems and regulatory standards. Most employers prefer certification, such as an informatics nursing certification (NI-BC).

A nurse policy analyst evaluates and develops healthcare policies that impact public health, nursing practice, and patient outcomes. In this role, you combine clinical expertise with analytical and legislative skills to influence policy at the local, state, or national levels. You’ll also analyze existing policies and assess the potential impact on patients and providers, research trends and regulatory issues, and draft policy briefs and position statements.

You must have an active RN license with a bachelor’s degree, although a master’s or doctorate is strongly preferred. You must have strong research, writing, and communication skills and experience with clinical nursing and health policy.

Nurse recruiters specialize in sourcing, interviewing, and hiring qualified nurses for healthcare organizations. They can match the candidate with roles that fit their skills and credentials. This supports staffing needs in healthcare settings. The role typically includes building relationships with resources like nursing schools, healthcare organizations, and licensing boards.

You must stay current on licensure requirements, staffing regulations, and workforce trends. The job requires a BSN or bachelor’s in human resources and experience in clinical nursing or healthcare staffing. You must be knowledgeable about applicant tracking systems (ATS), recruiting platforms, licensure, credentialing, and healthcare workforce standards.

A transplant coordinator manages the logistics of organ tissue transplant as the main point of contact. You work with hospitals, transplant centers, or organ procurement organizations. Key responsibilities include evaluating organ recipients, coordinating pre-transplant testing, communicating and educating patients and families, and scheduling surgeries.

The job requires an active RN license, and most employers prefer a BSN. You must have clinical experience in critical care or a transplant unit. Most employers prefer candidates with certifications from the American Board for Transplant Certification, including Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CCTC), Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC), or Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN).

A utilization review nurse evaluates the medical necessity and appropriateness of patient care services. In this role, you work with hospitals, insurance companies, and government agencies to ensure patients receive cost-effective care while maintaining quality and regulatory compliance.

These positions require an active RN license with a BSN, clinical experience in acute care, case management, or discharge planning, and a detail-oriented pursuit of data analysis. Most employers prefer candidates with certifications such as Certified Utilization Review and Quality Assurance Professional (URAC) or Certified Case Manager (CCM).