Jobs for Nurses Who Don't Want to be Nurses Anymore

I know that sometimes it feels like it’s really easy to hate being a nurse… 😅

But, maybe you just don’t realize that being a nurse makes you a genuine jack of all trades, and there is space for you to reinvent your career however you dream.

And me (being me) will prove it to you (because, of course).

At some point during your journey, you might have realized that being a bedside nurse isn’t necessarily the right path for you, and that’s okay.

There are plenty of unconventional jobs out there for nurses who don’t want to be nurses anymore — you just miiight have to get a little creative and redefine what “nurse” really means to you. 🤔

So, buckle up, nurse friend, because we’re about to go on the hunt for the perfect non-bedside nurse job perfectly aligned with you and your dreams.

Unconventional jobs for nurses who don’t want to be nurses anymore:

1 | Comedian

If you’re unfamiliar with Blake Lynch, I’m just going to assume you’ve been living in the dark ages for the last couple of years — no phone, no social media, and no internet. Nurse Blake is one of the best examples of how to reinvent your nursing career into something that genuinely brings you (and others) joy and fulfillment.

If you have a good sense of humor and enjoy making people laugh, becoming a comedian may be the perfect unconventional, non-nurse job for you. And we all know crazy sh*t happens in bedside nursing that sometimes you can’t help but laugh at, so you’ll have endless material to work with.

I am pretty much the opposite of funny, so this job would never work for me. 😆 But let’s keep going and see what other unconventional jobs are out there for nurses who don’t want to be nurses anymore…

2 | Artist

Becoming an artist as a nurse is probably the farthest from an actual nursing role you can get, so for those nurses who truly don’t want to be nurses anymore, this might be the perfect way for you to leave the bedside for good!

Start by exploring different art forms, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, or even writing. You can attend art classes and workshops and practice regularly to develop your skills. Finding a creative outlet is important for nurses because it helps to de-stress and unwind after a long, crazy day.

Two nurses adding a little color to the world are Nicole Cromwell, who creates beautiful landscape paintings of the Californian coast, and Melanie Van Sistine, creator of Mel’s Crafty Corner, who makes all sorts of cute and trendy gifts for nurses and healthcare workers.

If you’re interested in art and feeling trapped in your nursing role, why not just try creating in your free time and not worrying about scaling a business until later? Pursuing art as a nurse can be so fulfilling, allowing you to express yourself creatively and find balance in your busy life.

3 | Podcaster

A podcast could be the perfect transition needed for full-time nurses who don’t want to be nurses anymore and are looking to ease their way from bedside to business. It isn’t easy to give up your full-time position and guaranteed income for a side hustle, but podcasting really is something that you don’t have to set aside a whole lot of time to dedicate to its growth. You can do it on the side of your full-time position, scale it to a business that can support you, and successfully transition to this role when you’re ready.

The podcasts by nurses I am loving lately cover various aspects of healthcare, including patient care, nursing education, and career advancement.

“I Beg Your Pardon” with John Dela Cruz discusses the latest trends in healthcare and provides advice on navigating the healthcare system in an entertaining and brutally honest way.

“The Squeeze” with Taylor and Taylor Lautner is a podcast focusing on the importance of self-care and mental health. Their connections allow them to bring on big-name guests to their chair for interviews and honest conversations about mental health struggles, showcasing that we’re all a little more similar than we think.

Finally, “The Successful Nurse Coaches” with Laura Minard and Shelby Kurz is a podcast that provides tips and strategies for nurses who want to advance their careers and transition into the nurse coach role. They have a wealth of knowledge from experiencing it all firsthand.

So, it is POSSIBLE to start a podcast, especially if you have a talent for storytelling. You can interview healthcare professionals, share your experiences as a nurse, discuss current healthcare-related topics, or, you know, talk about whatever lights you up.

4 | Public Speaker

Becoming a public speaker can be a great career move and job for nurses who don’t want to be nurses because it allows you to share your knowledge and expertise with a broader audience. You can even use your speaking engagements to help move the needle forward in making the policy changes you want to see in healthcare.

One great example of a nurse who has successfully transitioned into a career as a public speaker and change maker is Rebecca Love. Love is a registered nurse who has become a sought-after public speaker in the healthcare industry. She has delivered keynotes and workshops on patient engagement, nursing innovation, healthcare technology, and more.

Love is also a co-founder of the Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders (SONSIEL), which empowers nurses to become healthcare leaders. Her success as a public speaker (and so much more) demonstrates that a nurse can build a successful career in a non-traditional role with hard work, dedication, and a little creativity.

5 | Activist

Activism creates an incredible opportunity for nurses to step away from their bedside roles while still making positive changes in people’s lives on a larger scale. By advocating for better working conditions, fair pay, and improved patient care, you can significantly impact the healthcare system, fellow healthcare workers, and the lives of your patients.

One example is Sarah Warren, who co-founded a non-profit organization called “Don’t Clock Out” with the aim of addressing the issue of nurse burnout. Through her organization, Warren has been working to raise awareness about the physical and emotional tolls of nursing and advocating for policies that promote safety, wellness, and self-care.

Becoming an activist for the nursing industry can be a powerful way to make a difference and improve the healthcare system for everyone involved. You can work with organizations that promote healthcare reform, advocate for patients’ rights, and fight for better working conditions for healthcare workers.

6 | Author

Nurses have the knowledge, skills, and experience to become successful published authors. Your unique perspective and insights on patient care, healthcare policies, and the inner workings of healthcare organizations can make for compelling reading.

As a nurse, you are uniquely qualified to communicate complex medical concepts in a way that is easy for the average person to understand. You can use your writing skills to educate and inform the public on healthcare-related topics. You can write articles, blogs, and books that provide valuable insights into healthcare policy, patient care, and even technology.

Mary Ghazarian’s book “Nursing Wisely” is an excellent example of a nurse who has successfully become a published author. “Nursing Wisely” is a comprehensive guide that covers various aspects of nursing, including communication, teamwork, leadership, and patient care. Ghazarian draws on her experience as a nurse and a healthcare administrator to provide practical advice and insights on navigating the healthcare system.

Your unique perspective on patient care allows you to share real-life stories and experiences that help readers gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and rewards of working in healthcare. You can write to educate, inspire, and motivate readers on healthcare-related topics, or like podcasting, you can write about whatever you’re passionate about and love to write about.

7 | Educator

Becoming an educator is an excellent option for nurses who don’t want to be nurses anymore and want to transition out of direct patient care while still utilizing their healthcare knowledge and experience. Many nurses have found success in teaching and educating others in various settings, including hospitals, schools, and community organizations.

But you don’t have to be an educator in the traditional sense.

Stephanee Beggs, the nurse who banked millions with her side hustle, created RNExplained and easily digestible notes and educational materials for nursing students and healthcare professionals.

Mel Cortez is a nurse who now provides self-defense education to healthcare workers, which teaches others how to stay safe and protect themselves while on the job.

Shawntay Harris created a CPR education agency called Eminent CPR, which helps healthcare workers remain updated on their CPR certification.

All three of these nurses have leveraged their knowledge in different ways, and I’m sure you can do the same in ways you are uniquely passionate about. Becoming an educator allows you to share your expertise and positively impact your community in a different way than simply being at the bedside.

8 | Career Coach

If you enjoy helping others achieve their goals, you can become a career coach and help nurses find new job opportunities. You can use your experience as a nurse to advise and guide others looking to make a career change.

Nurses can be excellent career coaches due to their extensive experience in the healthcare industry, which allows them to provide valuable insights and guidance to young nurses starting their careers.

Gone are the days when nurses “eat their young” — collectively, we can do better.

For instance, Sara Fung, founder of TheRNResume, is a nurse who has dedicated her career to helping other nurses write resumes and prepare for interviews. She has an in-depth understanding of the nuances of the nursing profession and can provide tailored advice to suit the needs of her clients. I hear she even recently published her very own book with Amie Archibald-Varley (who is another nurse in a non-traditional role, of course).

Similarly, Farah Laurent, founder of NurseFarah, is nurse coach who offers 1:1 and group coaching services to help nurses build confidence, clarity, and interview skills. She has worked in a variety of nursing roles over the years and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience that she can share with her clients. Laurent’s coaching sessions focus on helping nurses identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies to overcome any obstacles they might encounter in their careers.

What makes nurses like Fung and Laurent do so effective as career coaches is their ability to relate to their clients’ experiences and understand the unique challenges of working in healthcare. They deeply understand the healthcare industry’s intricacies and can provide practical advice to help young nurses build successful and rewarding careers.

9 | Financial Advisor

Your basic nursing knowledge won’t necessarily help you with this role. So, to become a financial advisor as a nurse, you’ll have to start by gaining financial knowledge and expertise through courses, certifications, or degree programs.

Many universities and online courses offer financial planning programs that can help nurses acquire the knowledge and skills they need to become successful financial advisors.

You can (and should) network with other financial professionals and seek mentorship to gain practical experience and build your client base. Nurses like Savannah Arroyo and Ky Arnold, founders of InvestHealth, and April Waddell, founder of NursesMoneyDate, created their financial advisory firms by identifying a need for financial education and guidance among nurses. They leveraged their nursing background and experience to develop businesses catering to healthcare professionals’ unique needs.

If you’re interested in finance, you can become a financial advisor and specialize in working with healthcare professionals. You can advise on retirement planning, investment strategies, and other financial-related topics. By providing financial planning services to your fellow healthcare workers, you can help them achieve financial stability and better plan their futures.

10 | Quality Consultant

If you want to improve healthcare quality, you can become a quality consultant and work with healthcare organizations to improve their processes and procedures. You don’t have to create a side hustle to do this either because many hospitals offer this role as a full-time position.

A bedside nurse can successfully transition to a role as a quality consultant for several reasons. First and foremost, bedside nurses have a comprehensive understanding of patient care and the healthcare industry. They have firsthand experience working with patients and are familiar with the challenges and opportunities that arise in clinical settings. This experience can be invaluable in a quality consulting role, where a deep understanding of patient care is essential to ensuring regulatory compliance and quality improvement.

Irene Soirassot-Joseph, founder of HHSurveyReady, created an organization focused on helping home health and hospice agencies navigate the intricate landscape of regulatory compliance. To achieve this, HHSurveyReady employs a combination of expertise, compassion, and tailored solutions rooted in safety, partnership, and ethical practice.

Nurses who aspire to become quality consultants can learn from HHSurveyReady’s approach to compliance strategies and quality improvement. Stay up-to-date with the latest industry standards, regulations, and protocols to ensure that you provide your clients with the most effective solutions possible. By doing so, they can help hospitals and other healthcare organizations maintain the highest standards of patient care and safety.

11 | Legal consultant

Legal nurse consulting is a unique career path that allows nurses who don’t want to be nurses anymore to apply their medical knowledge and expertise in malpractice lawsuits. It involves consultation services to attorneys, insurance companies, and other organizations requiring medical expertise in legal cases. Legal nurse consultants are responsible for reviewing medical records, interpreting medical terminology, and providing expert opinions on medical-related cases.

Lakeisha Falwell, founder of Next Level Nurse Consulting, is an example of a nurse who has successfully transitioned from clinical nursing to legal nurse consulting. Through her business, she helps attorneys and healthcare organizations navigate complex legal cases while applying her nursing knowledge and expertise.

If you’re interested in breaking into this industry, search for other legal nurse consultants on LinkedIn and connect with them there. They are a wealth of knowledge, and some have resources they can direct you towards to get you started on your journey to a nontraditional nursing role.

12 | Innovative business owner

To become an innovative business owner, you’ll need to identify a problem or gap in healthcare (or whatever industry you’re trying to help) and then work towards developing a solution and creating a business plan for it. This can involve networking, seeking mentorship, and building a team of like-minded individuals with the skill set you lack to help you bring your idea to life.

Great examples of this are Joey Ferry and Taofiki Gafar-Schaner, founders of SeizureSafe and Frontier Health & Resources, who took notice of the supplies their hospital lacked to keep their patients safe and did something about it. With perseverance and hard work, they successfully launched their own healthcare business and positively impacted their patients’ lives.

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit (and are entirely okay with failing a few times), consider starting your own healthcare-related business. As a nurse, you must keep yourself updated with the latest trends and technologies in healthcare, and you should always strive to learn and grow as an entrepreneur.

13 | Freelance copywriter — hi, it’s me 👋🏽

If you enjoy writing, you can become a freelance copywriter specializing in writing healthcare-related content. You can write articles, blog posts, or marketing materials for healthcare organizations and business owners. It’s the perfect way to fuse all your hard-earned nursing knowledge to positively impact the readers of the publications you write for, making high-level medical terminology easily digestible for wider audiences.

A copywriter can help you create website content that is engaging, informative, and persuasive. They have the skills and experience to craft compelling headlines, write clear and concise copy, and incorporate keywords that improve your website’s search engine ranking. They can also ensure that your website content is consistent in tone and style, reflecting your brand’s voice, personality, and values.

Every single one of the examples above of jobs for nurses who don’t want to be nurses anymore could benefit from a website that expertly captures the voice of its customers. Hiring a professional copywriter to write your website content can help you create a website that effectively communicates your message, connects with your target audience, and establishes trust and credibility.

As a nurse entrepreneur, having a website establishes authority in your industry, creates an online presence, and promotes your brand. However, creating a website that effectively communicates your message and connects with your target audience requires different expertise.

This is where hiring a professional copywriter might be the solution you’re looking for!

But I also get it — I know you’re a DIY queen, can learn the basics on your own, and maybe can’t afford to hire a copywriter. If you don’t want to fumble through the basics and stress about doing it yourself, though, you know where to find me. 😉

13 Jobs for Nurses Who Don’t Want to be Nurses Anymore