I didn’t want to make any rash decisions when I was a new nurse, so I stuck to bedside nursing for 3 long years.
That didn’t mean the curiosity bug wasn’t in me. Most RNs have bedside nursing roles, yet there is this entire other section of nursing that isn’t bedside.
Are you struggling to figure out what else you can do with your nursing degree? Are you craving a better work-life balance?
If this sounds anything like you, you are going to love this post.
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Remember All The Different Branches In The Nursing Career
There is a certain beauty in the nursing career where you can explore a new specialty pretty easily. Hitting a wall isn’t a big issue as a nurse because there’s always somewhere else to pivot to.
There’s always a need for nurses too, so non-bedside nursing job search shouldn’t be a problem either.
You know when people ask you why you became a nurse, and the classic answer is “Because I love to help people”?
Although that is still true, my answer was always “Because I love how many routes there are in nursing and that you can always find something for you.”
I knew how I was from a very young age: fickle. My sister taught me this word because it’s how she described me all the time.
So naturally, I needed a career that allowed me to change it up now and then. I cannot do the same thing for years on end and feel fulfilled.
Does this sound like you too? Great, keep reading to find a quiz that’ll help guide you!
Bedside nursing is its own beast. It’s absolutely exhilarating and great for some nurses, but also hell for others. (like me)
When I started exploring non-bedside nursing jobs, my eyes lit up. I quickly realized that I had no idea how much of nursing I was unaware of!
For so long, I thought it was just working in the hospital until I got old and wrinkly. (I now laugh at this thought, 6 years later!)
Remember that you are no less of a nurse if you do not do bedside.
I definitely had this fear when I was thinking about leaving the bedside. I also thought I’d be respected much less by family, which is so stupid.
To save you from these silly thoughts and open your eyes to different nursing roles, I’ve rounded up my favorite alternative nursing jobs beyond the bedside.
Non-Bedside Nursing Roles For Better Work-Life Balance
What if you’re a registered nurse who just has hospital experience and wants to try an alternative nursing job?
Well, you can, and you do not need any extra schooling or certifications!
What you do need is a strong resume, excellent interviewing skills, and a genuine desire to learn something new.
Now let’s explore 6 roles RNs can do for a better work-life balance!
Aesthetic Nursing
Aesthetic nursing, also known as cosmetic nursing, is a branch of nursing where nurses provide cosmetic services to their patients, such as laser hair removal, IV hydrations, or skin treatments.
Since I’m focusing on jobs that you do not need extra certification or schooling for, I did not include botox injections. A nurse must be certified in order to inject botox. If you are interested in injecting, check out The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery to get your certification!
Now going back to simple aesthetic nursing, here is how you can find jobs in this field.
I love using Indeed when job searching, so in the search bar, type in “aesthetic nurse.” Try to filter out the ones that say “botox” and focus on the others.
I actually applied to a TON of these roles at one point, and I got some interviews and a semi-offer too!
I think this role is great for the nurse that has a passion for skincare with a creative, sharp eye.
Description:
- Business days, sometimes weekends
- Allow building your own client list
- Early to mid-day start times
- Can accept tips
Fertility Nursing
Fertility nursing, or reproductive nursing, focuses on people who are struggling with infertility and need counseling and treatment options related to reproductive health.
As a fertility nurse, you will work closely with patients on coordinating their treatment cycles, whether that is IVF (in-vitro fertilization), IUI (intrauterine insemination), timed intercourse, or egg freezing.
Much of this role involves educating and counseling your patients, and in some clinics, you also circulate and recover patients during their procedures.
It is a very fulfilling and rewarding role when you get to tell your patients they are pregnant. (Hint, this is my current nursing role and I really enjoy it!)
Description:
- Business days, sometimes weekends
- Primarily desk job (phone calls, emails, coordinating)
- Promotes autonomy
- Extremely rewarding
Ambulatory Care Nursing
Ambulatory care nursing is working for centers that perform same-day surgeries or procedures, such as colonoscopies or arthroscopies.
There is more one-on-one patient care involved in this role versus some others, but you don’t have the same patients for a long time.
Personally working at an ambulatory care center, I significantly had a better work-life balance and minimal patient frustration.
Description:
- The schedule may vary, 4 10-hour shifts or 5 8-hour shifts
- Uses similar clinical skills from bedside- admission charting, IV starts, hanging IV fluids
- See multiple patients a day for short periods of time
- Holidays/weekends are usually off or rotating
Insurance Nursing
You may have heard of case managers. They can work in hospitals or medical centers, but they almost always work for insurance companies too.
I used to be a nurse assessor for a major insurance company, which I described in an entire blog post!
Insurance nursing handles the assessments, coordinates care, and is the “go-to” person for insurance members.
Nurses have the clinical privilege to make assessments and determine if members meet certain criteria.
Common keywords to use when searching for a role in insurance nursing are case manager, nurse assessor, or utilization management nurse.
Description:
- Business days and hours
- No holidays/weekends usually
- Work from home opportunities
- Can “work your way up” into management
- No hands-on patient care
School Nursing
A school nurse manages the overall care of students in a particular school or district.
They will give them their medications, check up on those who have needs, and work with their teachers and parents if they require specific care plans.
If you love the younger generation and being in a school setting, this role could be perfect for you.
A school nurse follows the same schedule as the students, meaning no holidays or weekends. You can also say hello to long winter, spring, and summer breaks.
Description:
- No weekends or holidays
- Manageable patient load
- Private, quiet office space
- Seasonal breaks
Pro-tip: If you can’t last an entire summer without working, you can always pick up a per-diem job for a few months until school starts up again! This would be amazing for work-life balance!
Home Health Nursing
A home health nurse provides care to patients in their own homes. They will do regular visits, and some tasks include:
- monitoring the patient
- making assessments
- administering medications
- assisting with ADLs
- collaborating with the physician on care plans
- writing reports
A big pro of this job is flexibility. Since there is no office or center you have to work in, you may be able to schedule on your own terms, as long as you meet a certain quota.
There is a lot of driving involved as a home health nurse, but this also means there is a lot of unmonitored time, which is nice. Getting to and from different homes and charting on your office or home computer breaks up the day nicely.
Description:
- A varied schedule, could include weekends
- Can work one-on-one with patients better than in the hospital
- Build connections with patients
- Competitive pay
Learn Not To Settle As A Nurse
Are you confused about which area of nursing you want to explore? Wondering if you even like a desk job environment or a specific specialty?
The form you have selected does not exist.
Explore the nurse in you and find where you belong in this field. It is so large and diverse, so don’t stick to the bedside if you feel like it is not for you.
Bedside nursing is a wonderful part of nursing, but it can be defeating, draining, and intense for many people. If you are starting to feel this way, do your research and learn about other options.
Hopefully, these 6 alternative nursing jobs inspire you to try something new!
Helpful Article:
Question: What is the dream nursing role you always wanted to have?
I never realized there were so many options for nurses! We always think of hospitals when we think of nurses. But this definitely expands into a long list of related fields.