Best Side Hustles For Nurses

There are many side hustles for nurses that offer flexibility so that you can balance your work schedule and family time. These opportunities can help you pursue a specific passion within nursing or try something new to avoid burnout.

Whether you explore one or several options, you can easily supplement your income to boost your bank account, pay off student loans, or keep your mind sharp.

What Are Good Side Hustles for Nurses?

These nursing side jobs are beneficial if you need extra money to cover expenses, want to pay off debt, or are trying to accomplish other financial goals.

1. Deliver Meals

A delivery app job offers flexible hours since you choose your hours and decide which requests to accept. Most opportunities require you to deliver meals by car, but some drivers can use a bike or scooter in certain cities.

DoorDash is a popular platform if you want to make money delivering food. It’s easy to earn consistent income with the app, and the usual dining hours typically have the most requests.

Many drivers earn up to $25 per hour and keep 100 percent of customer tips. Limited-time incentives can increase your earning potential when there are more requests than available drivers.

New drivers might be eligible for a signup bonus if they complete a minimum number of deliveries during the introductory period.

You will receive weekly payments via direct deposit. Same-day payments are available as well but incur a $1.99 fee.

Read our DoorDash Driver review to find out more about maximizing your income.

2. Be a Care Driver

One of the best parts about nursing is the ability to help others and interact with people. Along the same lines, driving with HopSkipDrive lets you transport children between school and home.

With this platform, you can provide safe transportation for kids as an alternative to riding the school bus or requiring a parent to take time off from work.

Families must book a trip at least eight hours in advance, and CareDrivers can accept requests up to seven days in advance. Drivers who provide a booster seat are eligible for the most rides.

It’s possible to earn as much as $50 per trip. Payments are disbursed weekly via direct deposit.

Drivers must pass a background check and have at least five years of caregiver experience. While this is an intriguing way to make money on the side, this app is currently limited to 30 major cities across the United States.

3. Pet Sit

If you are looking for a high-paying side hustle that lets you fulfill your daily exercise goals, dog walking apps are worth looking into.

One of the most popular apps in the space is Rover. With this app, you can earn additional income by caring for pets. You might go to the pet’s home to walk it, have drop-in playtime, or house sit. 

It’s even possible to work from home with doggy daycare or overnight boarding.

Rover lets you select your availability along with which pet sizes you are comfortable with. Each assignment includes up to $25,000 in vet care reimbursement and 24/7 support.

Dog walkers and sitters get paid two days after completing services through the app and may receive tips. Pay varies by task and location but is usually $20 per walk and up to $80 per overnight stay per pet.

You can set your own rates. Many pet caretakers increase their rates after gaining platform experience and receiving several positive customer reviews.

It’s important to note that the platform keeps 20 to 25 percent of your earnings.

Our Rover Sitter review shares more about making money with this platform.

4. Telehealth Nurse

Telemedicine is growing in popularity as a low-cost alternative to in-person visits for minor health problems. Working as a telehealth nurse lets you consult with patients from the comfort of a distraction-free home office.

Companies hire healthcare professionals with a variety of designations, including:

• Certified wound specialist (CWS)
• Dietitian
• Medical assistant
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistants
• Practical nurse
• Registered nurse

According to Glassdoor, telehealth nursing can be a lucrative full-time job with an average annual salary of $91,480.

Several years of bedside experience is necessary to qualify, but this is one of the best remote jobs due to its pay potential and flexible schedule.

5. Take on Extra Shifts

Working extra shifts at your regular nursing job can be the easiest way to boost your pay since it is more convenient than working for multiple employers. Shifts are available in most places because of the nursing shortage.

Volunteering for open shifts can be an effective solution when you need to earn extra income temporarily. You also make a competitive wage immediately, while other side hustles may pay less for a similar time commitment.

Working overtime can become tiresome quickly when you already have a grueling schedule. Therefore, consider putting your surplus earnings to work with these passive income ideas.

Building wealth and making money while you sleep reduces the need to work long hours to make ends meet.

6. Tutor Nursing Students

Nursing tutors help current students pass nursing school by providing insights and study tips. You can apply for positions through private tutoring companies or by partnering with a school.

Tutoring helps you make extra cash while working full-time without an extensive time commitment. This flexibility lets you work as often as you want.

Many tutors make $10 to $20 per hour helping nursing students. Most places let you start tutoring after earning a nursing degree. Having at least two years of nursing experience makes you more competitive.

In some situations, current students can start tutoring after completing certain classes since they can provide an up-to-date perspective on the material.

7. Become a Health Blogger or YouTuber

Many individuals research medical symptoms online before deciding if it’s best to call their primary care provider or a specialist. As a freelance health writer, you can compose articles for health and wellness blogs to meet this need.

There are many topics you can write about, from first aid to details about surgeries. Government agencies and educational organizations may even hire you to cover advanced topics and medical studies.

You could also create a YouTube channel if you’re comfortable in front of the camera. For example, you might produce health coaching videos based on your medical experience.

The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) states that new medical writers can earn up to $80,000 annually. You need to create several articles each month to reach this income target, but you can earn more per word since it’s a specialized niche.

There are many places to find writing jobs, including freelance platforms and job boards. Networking is also helpful if you want to find high-paying assignments.

8. Offer Child or Elderly Care

Babysitting and senior care allow you to earn extra cash several days per week. You also get to interact with others, which can be important as you compare side hustle ideas if you want to develop ongoing relationships.

Care.com helps you connect with community members who need your services. You can set your own schedule and rates.

Getting word-of-mouth referrals is also helpful since many parents want part-time sitters for occasional date nights or help on long days at work.

The income potential depends on the job responsibilities. However, you can anticipate earning a base rate of $15 to $20 per hour.

Keep in mind that it’s possible to earn more by completing advanced tasks, including specialized in-home care, running errands, and personalized care. 

9. Become a Lactation Consultant

New moms sometimes need help starting or continuing breastfeeding so their babies can nurse successfully. You can provide solutions as a lactation consultant by teaching various latching techniques or solving urgent problems.

It’s not uncommon for medical providers to require consultants to have experience as a registered nurse (RN). Consultants should be International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) or Certified Lactation Consultants (CLC).

Several pathways exist to earning a full-time or part-time income as a consultant, including:

• Clinics
• Hospitals
• Midwife services
• Private practices
• Public health clinics

Travel might be necessary if you’re interested in offering home visits to make it easier on mom and baby. Equipment purchases can also be required to get started.

Depending on the city, lactation consultants can earn $30 to $60 per hour. Plus, they can get paid weekly.

This is one of the best side hustles for nurses since most consultants have a nursing background. Plus, it enables you to utilize your medical industry connections.

10. Become a Birth Doula

Assisting with childbirth might be your unique calling. As a doula, you help moms during their pregnancy, birth, and immediate postpartum phases by providing insights and emotional support.

It’s possible to bond with families and help welcome each new addition. As a personal example, my wife has used the same doula and maternal care provider for our four children and can’t imagine using anybody else. It’s that close of a relationship.

You might be able to provide hands-on help when the doctor or midwife isn’t present. Your services build a deep-rooted trust that reduces stress for mom and her baby.

This side gig isn’t ideal for every nurse since child deliveries can be physically demanding for the maternal care provider. Labor can start at any hour of the day or night and last a long time.

Additionally, deliveries can become emotionally intense and stressful when things don’t go as planned.

Partnering with local midwives, doctors, and childbirth education services can help you connect with expectant moms. According to the International Doula Institute, many doulas earn between $600 and $1,200 per delivery. 

11. Be a First Aid Instructor

Teaching CPR and first aid basics to educators and care providers can be a steady part-time job. It’s possible to make money on the weekend, during the evening, and with all-day classes year-round.

Glassdoor states that first aid instructor jobs pay approximately $30 per hour, but the pay rate can differ by organization and class. For instance, you may charge a flat fee per student instead of getting an hourly wage.

Start by getting first aid instructor training from the American Red Cross. Then, you can contact community centers, medical centers, and schools to begin teaching paid courses.

12. Become a Phlebotomist

Becoming a mobile phlebotomist is one way to earn extra income as you make house calls to collect blood, work at a medical center, or take on shifts at mobile blood centers. Most positions pay between $15 and $20 per hour.

While this rate isn’t as high as some nursing side hustles, it’s easier to attain certification. The ease of entry can help less experienced nurses earn a side income faster.

Additionally, a mobile-based phlebotomist job can be less stressful since you handle fewer urgent requests than a hospital or trauma center.

13. Transcribe Medical Records

Medical transcription jobs require experience in the healthcare arena. This type of specialized background is needed to transcribe recordings accurately and quickly.

Becoming a transcriptionist is among the best online side hustles because it requires advanced skills that can pay more than general transcription or data entry jobs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) says the median pay for medical transcriptionists is $16.70 hourly. This pay rate amounts to $34,730 when working full-time.

Your compensation is based on the recording length instead of how long it takes to complete the project. It’s best to have a foot pedal, headphones, and special software that helps you replay and transcribe audio recordings.

You can find transcriptionist jobs by working with doctors and on freelancer platforms like Rev.

14. Offer Services as a Travel Nurse

Working as a travel nurse is one of the best side jobs if you enjoy traveling or don’t mind being away from home. Depending on your location, you can earn more than you would at a regular nursing job.

NurseJournal reveals the average travel nurse earns between $2,000 and $7,000 per week and may receive stipends for lodging, meals, and transportation. It’s possible to earn $100,000 per year, making this one of today’s highest-paying jobs.

You can apply for travel nursing jobs through agencies and job boards. Most positions require at least two years of experience.

15. Become a Health Coach

A health coach provides health and wellness guidance that can be more in-depth than coaches with fewer credentials. You may also choose to provide a holistic perspective to help patients heal.

Health coaching allows you to develop actionable plans to improve a client’s physical and emotional well-being. You can provide ongoing support with routine in-person, online, or phone check-ins.

There are several different accreditation options available for various coaching specialties. Full-time coaches earn approximately $65,000 annually by connecting with hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies. 

Bottom Line 

There are multiple side hustles for nurses that pay more than an average side gig since they demand advanced skills. Many offer flexible hours but tend to require working outside the home.

While you might not be able to avoid a commute, these money-making opportunities can be less stressful than a standard healthcare environment and may bring more fulfillment.

*Earning more on certain types of orders (ex. alcohol): Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.

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