14 Side Hustles For Nurses in 2024 [100k/yr]

As a nurse, you’ve got incredible skills, expertise, and a heart for helping others – but did you know that you can put those qualities to use outside your day job too? In this article, I’ll share some of the best side hustles for nurses, covering everything from writing and coaching to caregiving and beyond.

Side Hustles For Nurses in 2024

1. Medical Transcription

There’s a whole industry in transforming doctor jargon into written words. Medical transcription is a perfect side hustle for nurses because you already have a strong understanding of medical terminology and procedures. As a medical transcriptionist, you’ll listen to recorded dictations from doctors and transcribe them into written reports or patient records.

To get started, you might want to take a medical transcription course or obtain a certification, though it’s not always required. Then, you can look for gigs on job boards, freelance websites like Upwork, or even with your current employer.

As for earnings, medical transcriptionists typically make between $14 and $30 an hour, depending on experience and the client. Transcription work can be done from anywhere, making it a great side job for nurses looking to work from home.

2. Medical Writing

If you have a way with words and a passion for healthcare, medical writing could be an excellent side hustle for you. As a medical writer, you’ll create content such as articles, blog posts, or patient education materials, drawing on your nursing experience.

To kick off your medical writing career, start by building a portfolio of writing samples. You can then look for gigs on job boards, freelance websites, or by reaching out to healthcare organizations directly.

Medical writers can expect to earn between $20 and $100 an hour, depending on their experience and the complexity of the project. Full-time medical writers can expect to earn between $52,000-$80,000 per year. So put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and share your knowledge with the world.

3. Per Diem Nursing

Per diem nursing is a great fit for nurses looking to make extra money without committing to a full-time job. As a per diem nurse, you’ll pick up shifts at hospitals or other healthcare facilities on an as-needed basis, giving you the flexibility to work when it suits you.

To get started, sign up for the NurseDash app or reach out to local hospitals to inquire about per diem opportunities. You might also want to update your resume and gather your nursing credentials.

Per diem, nurses can expect to earn a higher hourly rate compared to their full-time counterparts, with rates ranging from $25 to $50 an hour, depending on experience and location. So take control of your schedule, help out where you’re needed, and earn some extra cash in the process!

4. Health Coaching

Nurses are natural health coaches, thanks to your expertise in healthcare and compassionate nature. As a health coach, you’ll guide clients in achieving their health and wellness goals through lifestyle and behavior modifications.

To get started, you might consider obtaining a health coaching certification from a reputable organization. Then, you can start your own business, work for a healthcare provider, or create your own health coaching platform.

Health coaches can expect to earn anywhere from $20 to $50 an hour, depending on their experience and clientele. Share your wisdom, help others live healthier lives, and earn some extra cash – sounds like a win-win, right?

5. Travel Nursing

Travel nursing is a fantastic side hustle for nurses with a sense of adventure and a desire to explore new places. As a travel nurse, you’ll take on temporary assignments in different locations, often filling in during staff shortages or for specialized care. This gig is just like per diem nursing, but you’ll be able to travel and see the country, or world!

To get started in travel nursing, make sure your nursing license and certifications are up to date. Then, connect with travel nursing agencies that will help you find assignments and handle the logistics, like housing and travel expenses.

Travel nurses typically earn competitive salaries, often ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per week, depending on the location and specialty. Plus, many assignments come with added perks like housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and bonuses.

If you’re ready to combine your love for nursing with a passion for travel, give travel nursing a try. It’s a unique and exciting way to expand your horizons while doing what you love. Happy travels!

6. Podcasting

Podcasting is a fantastic side hustle for nurses who enjoy sharing their stories, expertise, or passions with a larger audience. By creating a nursing-focused podcast, you can educate and entertain listeners, discuss important healthcare topics, or even provide support for fellow nurses.

To get started with podcasting, you’ll need some basic recording equipment like a microphone and audio editing software. Podcast kits make it easy to get everything you need at once.

Plan out your podcast’s theme, structure, and target audience, and then start creating engaging episodes. Once you’ve got some content, upload your episodes to podcast hosting platforms like iTunes, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Earnings from podcasting can vary widely, but many podcasters make money through sponsorships, advertising, or selling related products and services. As your podcast grows in popularity, you could potentially earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month.

7. Blogging

Starting a blog is an excellent side hustle for nurses who enjoy writing and sharing their insights, experiences, or passions with others. By starting a nursing-focused blog, you can educate readers on healthcare topics, provide tips and advice for fellow nurses, or even document your personal journey in the nursing profession.

To kick off your blogging adventure, choose a simple blogging platform like WordPress, then, pick a domain name and design that reflects your blog’s theme and audience. Finally, find and target the keywords your audience is searching for.

Earnings from blogging can vary widely, but many bloggers make money through advertising, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, or selling related products and services. As your blog’s traffic and reputation grow, you could potentially earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month.

I personally think blogging is one of the best side hustles. You have an uncapped earning potential, can remain anonymous, have various ways to monetize your audience, and have complete control over your traffic. No nasty suppression from social media algorithms.

8. YouTube

YouTube is an awesome side hustle for nurses who enjoy being in front of the camera and have a bubbling personality. By starting a nursing-focused YouTube channel, you can create informative, entertaining, or inspiring videos that cater to a wide audience – from fellow nurses to patients, caregivers, or anyone interested in healthcare.

To get started with YouTube, you’ll need a decent camera or smartphone to record your videos, video editing software, and a quiet, well-lit place to shoot. Plan your channel’s theme, target audience, and the type of content you want to create.

Earnings from YouTube can vary, but many YouTubers make money through advertising, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or selling related products and services. As your channel grows in popularity, you could potentially earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month.

Nurse Bass has gathered over 78,000 subscribers on his nursing channel. Below he explains why you should consider starting a channel if you need any more convincing. 😉

9. Consulting

Consulting is a fantastic side hustle for nurses who have specialized knowledge, experience, or skills that can benefit others in the healthcare industry. As a nurse consultant, you can provide advice, training, or support to healthcare organizations, medical facilities, or individual clients, helping them improve patient care, streamline processes, or tackle industry challenges.

To get started in nursing consulting, you’ll want to identify your niche or area of expertise. This could be anything from patient safety and infection control to nursing education or healthcare technology. Then, work on building your professional network, attend industry events, and consider developing marketing materials like a website, business cards, or brochures to promote your services.

Earnings for nurse consultants can vary widely, depending on your specialty, experience, and clientele. However, you could potentially earn anywhere from $50 to $250 an hour or more, making it a lucrative side hustle for those with in-demand expertise.

10. Caregiving

Caregiving is a rewarding side hustle for nurses who enjoy providing one-on-one care and support to individuals in need. As a caregiver, you’ll assist clients with daily living activities, provide companionship, and ensure their overall well-being. This could include helping seniors, people with disabilities, or those recovering from illness or surgery.

To get started as a caregiver, you can sign up with caregiver agencies or websites, such as Care.com or Sittercity, which connect caregivers with clients in need. You can also network within your local community, advertise your services on social media, or ask friends and family for referrals.

While caregiving might not always pay as much as some other side hustles, you can expect to earn between $16 and $24 an hour, depending on your location and the client’s needs. Plus, there’s the added satisfaction of knowing that you’re making a real difference in someone’s life.

11. Pet Sitting

Chances are, if you can care of people, you can care for pets too. As a pet sitter, you’ll take care of client’s pets while they’re away, providing companionship, feeding, walking, and ensuring their overall well-being.

To get started as a pet sitter, you can sign up with pet sitting platforms like Rover or Care.com, which connect pet sitters with clients in need. You can also advertise your services on social media, network with friends and family, or post flyers in your local community.

Earnings for pet sitting can vary depending on your location, the type of pets you care for, and the services you provide. However, you can expect to earn anywhere from $15 to $30 per visit or $50 to $100 per day for overnight stays.

12. Nurse Coaching

Nurse coaching is an excellent side hustle for experienced nurses who are passionate about empowering and guiding their peers in the nursing profession. As a nurse coach, you’ll work with fellow nurses to help them develop their skills, advance their careers, or overcome professional challenges.

To get started as a nurse coach, you might consider obtaining a nurse coaching certification from a reputable organization like the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) or the International Nurse Coach Association (INCA). With a certification under your belt, you can start promoting your services through networking, social media, or even by hosting workshops or webinars.

Earnings for nurse coaching can vary, but you can potentially charge anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour, depending on your experience, specialty, and the clients you work with. Some nurse coaches also sell video courses, so they don’t have to repeat the same information.

13. Amazon Direct Publishing

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is a fantastic side hustle for nurses to turn their nursing knowledge and stories into dollars. With KDP, you can self-publish your nursing-focused eBooks and even create paperback versions, reaching readers worldwide while earning royalties from your work.

To get started with Amazon KDP, you’ll need to write and edit your book, ensuring it’s informative, engaging, and well-structured. You might consider writing about nursing practices, patient care tips, or even share personal experiences from your nursing career. Once your manuscript is ready, design an eye-catching cover and format your book according to KDP’s guidelines.

Earnings from Amazon KDP can vary widely, depending on your book’s popularity, pricing, and promotion strategies. As an author, you can earn up to 70% royalties on eBook sales and up to 60% on paperback sales, minus printing costs.

The key to KDP is consistency, so plan on creating a series of books or guides related to nursing to gain traction faster.

14. Nursing-Focused Print on Demand Business

A nursing-focused print-on-demand (POD) business is a fantastic side hustle for nurses with a creative flair and a desire to design products that cater to their fellow healthcare professionals. With POD, you can create and sell custom-designed merchandise, such as t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, or even scrubs, featuring nursing-themed designs or slogans.

To get started with a nursing-focused POD business, choose a reliable print-on-demand platform like Printful, Printify, or Teespring. Then, brainstorm and design nursing-related artwork or phrases that will resonate with your target audience. Pro Tip: I use Vexel’s premade designs to quickly create stores filled with high-quality designs.

Once your designs are ready, upload them to the platform and create product listings that showcase your unique creations.

Earnings from a POD business can vary depending on your product pricing, promotion strategies, and the popularity of your designs. As you sell products, you’ll earn the difference between the base price charged by the POD platform and the price you set for each item.

Wrap Up

Well there you have it – 14 flexible side hustles for nurses just like you! Whether you’re into writing, coaching, creating, or caring for others (even the furry ones), there’s something here for everyone. Remember, your nursing skills and expertise are valuable not just in the hospital or clinic setting, but in many other areas as well.