Registered nurses (RNs) are not restricted to working only at the bedside. Their education, background, and talents are transferable to various positions. Many people prefer working non-bedside nursing positions for various reasons (more on that in a bit!).

This article will cover several non-bedside nursing jobs, the career prospects, and if they might be a good fit for you!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Nurses’ career options outside the bedside are no longer confined to school nurses, nursing homes, or home health jobs.
• Non-bedside nursing positions are in high demand.
• Non-bedside nursing jobs’ work-life balance can vary widely based on the exact role and work environment.

Table of Contents

• Different Types Of Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs 
• 15+ Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs
• Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs You Can Do From Home
• Career Outlook For Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs 
• Why You Should Try Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs
• Role Of Technology in Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs 
• How Do I Find Non-Bedside Nursing Job Opportunities?
• FAQs About Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs

Different Types of Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs

RNs are not limited to bedside work; their education, experience, and skills can be applied to various professions. Non-bedside nursing positions may be chosen by some nurses for multiple reasons, including career preference and desired work atmosphere. In addition, working in non-hospital settings can give RNs more consistent work hours and vast job opportunities.

15+ Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs

Health Coach Nurse

Nurse health coaches work one-on-one with clients to help them accomplish wellness objectives, maintain healthy lifestyles, and avoid future health problems. These people work in hospitals, insurance firms, and social service organizations. They create nutrition regimens, set safe exercise routines, and track and motivate their clients.

Depending on the employer, nurses with associate degrees may be able to enter this industry. However, the highest-paying jobs demand a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and a nutrition degree.

Average Salary: $48,630 (as of June 2021)

Academic Nurse Writer

Academic nurse writers have lucrative career opportunities in various healthcare-related industries, including patient care services, pharmaceutical corporations, and insurance companies, among many others.

These writers write nursing-related content for websites, training manuals, and textbooks, customizing it to specific audiences such as the general public or nursing practitioners. Most occupations necessitate a solid foundation in written communication, research, and health sciences. Therefore, a BSN is typically required for entry into this field.

Average Salary: $73,530 on average (as of June 2021)

Legal Nurse Consultant

Registered nurses can find exciting alternative careers in the legal nurse consulting field. To compile summaries and legal documents, these specialist nursing experts research medical and disability cases, employment records, and other documents. In addition, they frequently suggest guiding legal procedures, law enforcement investigations, and insurance claims.

This field is open to licensed registered nurses with an associate degree. RNs with BSNs, clinical and case management experience, paralegal training, or specialist legal certification have more job opportunities. Those with a law degree and a BSN may want to pursue becoming a nurse attorney.

Average Salary: $79,740 (as of June 2021)

Hospice Nurse

Hospice nurses give end-of-life care to terminally ill patients and support their relatives and are frequently employed in home settings. Hospice nurses provide pain relief, check vital signs, and ensure their patients’ comfort. In addition, these specialists offer educational and emotional support to family members and caretakers. A licensed nurse who wants to work in hospice must have at least a BSN. Nurses who have completed the certified hospice and palliative nurse certification program have better job prospects.

Average Salary: $69,760 (as of June 2021)

Public Health Nurse

Public health nursing, one of the most desirable non-hospital nursing careers, tackles community healthcare problems. Public health nurses identify at-risk individuals and groups in social service agencies, schools, and nonprofits, and their services are more critical than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, preventive care initiatives are frequently developed by public health nurses.

Many employers seek public health nurses with master’s degrees in nursing (MSN) and RN licensure. Therefore, professionals should consider dual MSN and master of public health degrees and advanced public health nursing certification to increase employment and earning prospects.

Average Salary: $59,560 (as of June 2021)

Occupational Nurse

Occupational nurses are primarily employed in enterprises, where they collaborate with Executives and managers to protect the health and safety of their personnel. In addition to identifying occupational dangers, they evaluate and treat work-related injuries and diseases. In addition, occupational nurses assist management in developing safety rules and educating staff on healthcare issues and prevention.

Licensed registered nurses with BSNs receive the highest wages in these non-hospital nursing jobs. In addition, employers prefer employees who have earned specific qualifications from the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses.

Average Salary: $72,630 (as of June 2021)

Nurse Case Manager

Nurse case managers are employed by hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes to collaborate with medical practitioners and personnel to coordinate long-term patient care. After acquiring their RN licenses and BSNs or MSNs, these administrators often enter the industry with 1-2 years of prior nursing and case management experience. Although licensed registered nurses can usually find work without earning certifications, trained nurse case managers have better job possibilities and higher pay.

Average Salary: $73,690 (as of June 2021)

Dialysis Nurse

One of the most specialized alternative careers for registered nurses is in the dialysis field. These professional nurses work in hospitals, nursing homes, and dialysis clinics to care for patients with kidney diseases. Dialysis nurses plan treatment and oversee dialysis treatments. Licensed RNs seeking employment as dialysis nurses should have a BSN at the very least. Some employers prefer applicants with credentials as certified nephrology nurses or certified dialysis nurses.

Average Salary: $73,190 (as of June 2021)

Nurse Midwife

Registered nurses are looking for distinctive nursing employment with a specific emphasis. Nurse midwives specialize in prenatal care, labor and delivery, reproductive health, and gynecology and are employed in hospitals, obstetric clinics, and increasingly in private practice.

Although each state has licensure and certification requirements, a nurse midwife typically has an RN license, a graduate degree with a nurse midwife concentration, and an American Midwifery Certification Board certification.

Average Salary: $97,790 (as of June 2021)

Nurse Educator

As more students join nursing school and practicing nurses seek continuing education credits to meet licensing renewal criteria, the demand for nurse educators has skyrocketed. Nurse educators design and teach curricula for diploma, associate, bachelor’s, graduate, and continuing education programs in academic institutions and training hospitals.

Nursing education careers often necessitate a graduate degree, sometimes even a doctorate. Therefore, candidates must have clinical experience, advanced graduate studies, and certified nurse educator qualifications.

Average Salary: $80,737 per year.

Cruise Ship Nurse

A non-bedside nursing position as a cruise ship nurse might provide an experience similar to an extended vacation. Passengers on cruise ships require the services of healthcare providers, especially nurses. However, half of cruise ship nurses make less than this. Cruise ship nurse positions may require emergency room and intensive care unit experience and stay onboard for 14 weeks with seven weeks breaks, with all expenses paid. COVID-19 has influenced the cruise sector but will likely rebound and continue employment.

Average Salary: $81,804 per year.

Infection Control Nurse

Infection Control Nurses, also known as Infection Prevention Nurses, assist in identifying and preventing disease transmission in a healthcare context. They have received extensive training and education on the spread of infectious illnesses and outbreaks. Infection Control nurses also disseminate the best infection control methods to personnel to deliver the best possible patient care.

Employers often require a few years of clinical experience and a BSN for consideration in an Infection Control Nurse post. Some employers, however, may need an MSN. You may also be required to finish infection control training and pass the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology’s Certification Infection Control (CIC) exam (APIC).

Average Salary: $102,700 per year.

Medical Device or Pharmaceutical Sales

Medical and pharmaceutical sales allow nurses to apply their clinical expertise outside of routine bedside care. Sales representatives sell and educate healthcare professionals on the characteristics and benefits of medical items and equipment. This field allows you to operate in various settings and may necessitate overnight travel. Some companies recruit nurses as Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) to educate providers on the clinical features of products and work on a sales team to accomplish sales targets.

Average Salary: 155,024 per year.

Flight Nurse

A Flight Nurse is a specialized registered nurse trained to offer medical treatment to patients while they are transported by airplane. They keep track of patients, give them treatments, and prepare them for transfer to specialists. They must be licensed RNs with five years of experience in a trauma/ICU/emergency department to work for hospitals, medical transport firms, fire departments, or the government.

Average Salary: 91,660 per year.

Forensic Nurse

A forensic nurse provides care and assistance to patients suffering from the effects of violence or victimization. They may work in various locations, including hospitals, trauma units, medical examiners’ offices, and penal facilities. This non-bedside nursing position requires excellent communication and observation skills, an RN licensure and expertise in emergency or mental health care. The Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification also offers certification to forensic nurses.

Average Salary: 73,825 per year.

Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs You Can Do From Home

Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialist (CDIS)

A Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialist (CDIS) is a healthcare expert that reviews and evaluates clinical documentation in patient medical records to guarantee their integrity and completeness. They aim to improve documentation quality and ensure that it appropriately reflects the patient’s care. The position is crucial in ensuring correct invoicing and payment for healthcare services and assessing the quality of patient care.

Telephone Triage Nurse

A career as a telephone triage nurse may be perfect for you if you’ve worked in the emergency department, critical care, home health, hospice, urgent care, pediatrics, or obstetrics. Telehealth Triage Nurses evaluate patient concerns over the phone and connect them with the most relevant resources, such as doctors, hospitals, or medical equipment vendors. In addition, most triage nurses are trained to adhere to a defined protocol, such as the commonly used Schmitt-Thompson telephone triage protocols.

Remote Utilization Review/Management Nurse

A Registered Nurse who performs utilization management services remotely is known as a Remote Utilization Review/Management Nurse. This non-bedside nursing position entails assessing the medical necessity, quality, and appropriateness of patient healthcare services. To ensure that patients receive the necessary care and services, the nurse evaluates patient medical information, talks with healthcare providers, and offers treatment plan suggestions.

Freelance Content Writing Nurse

A freelance or self-employed content-writing nurse is a nurse who uses medical knowledge and writing talents to create written content. They may be asked to create articles, blog posts, and other content for several clients, such as healthcare organizations, websites, and publications. These nurses use their healthcare expertise and experience to produce accurate and relevant content that assists individuals in making educated decisions about their health and well-being.

Career Outlook for Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs 

If you’re a registered nurse, great news – your employment is expected to grow by 6% over the next decade! With over 203,000 job openings on average, there’s plenty of opportunity for you to grow your career.

And the best part? Non-bedside nursing positions are in high demand! With an increased need for healthcare services, a shortage of nurses in many areas, and a desire for more flexible and less stressful job options, non-bedside nursing is the perfect way for you to apply your education, skills, and experience in new and exciting ways.

Thanks to advancements in technology and telehealth, there are even more options for non-bedside nursing available, allowing you to work in distant and virtual settings. With this increased demand, there are plenty of prospects for career growth and earning potential if you’re looking to take your nursing career to the next level.

Why You Should Try Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs

There are various reasons why registered nurses might consider working in non-bedside nursing positions:

• Diverse career paths: Non-bedside nursing jobs provide a variety of career pathways within the nursing profession, ranging from administrative and leadership positions to patient education and advocacy positions.
• Increased income potential: Many non-bedside nursing occupations pay more than traditional bedside nursing jobs.
• Flexibility: Some non-bedside nurse professions have flexible scheduling and remote work possibilities, which can be advantageous to individuals seeking a better work-life balance.
• Professional growth and development: Non-bedside nursing positions, such as specialized training and certification programs, provide possibilities for professional growth and development.
• Better work environment: Compared to bedside nursing occupations, some non-bedside nursing jobs may provide a less physically and emotionally stressful work environment.
• Improved patient outcomes: Registered nurses pursuing non-bedside nursing employment can contribute to better patient outcomes by providing specialized experience and knowledge in patient education, risk assessment, and case management.

Continuing Education and Professional Development Opportunities

Continuing education and professional development opportunities are crucial for registered nurses. They’re an excellent method to keep your skills and knowledge sharp, keep up with the latest innovations in your profession, and feel secure and competent in your practices.

There are so many options available! You can take online classes, attend workshops and conferences, and even earn credentials. Even better if your work provides in-house training or tuition reimbursement. You have the ability to push your skills to the next level.

Want to take your career to the next level? Consider getting training in leadership and management, finding a mentor, or specializing in a certain area of nursing. These opportunities can help you not only earn more money but also give better care to your patients. It’s a no-lose situation!

Comparison of the Work-Life Balance of Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs to That of Bedside Nursing Roles.

If you’re thinking about a career in non-bedside nursing, you may be concerned about work-life balance. The good news is that non-bedside nursing professions can provide a better work-life balance than bedside nurse roles.

Non-bedside nursing jobs are less physically demanding, can be performed in a number of venues, such as an office or from home, and often include less direct patient care and more administrative obligations. All of these factors can contribute to a more stable workplace and a better work-life balance.

Of course, every non-bedside nursing career is different, so it’s essential to research the exact position and work environment to find the work-life balance that’s best for you. However, if you want a more flexible schedule and a better balance of work and family, non-bedside nursing can be a wonderful option.

Role of Technology in Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs

In recent years, the field of healthcare has witnessed some incredible technical developments, but it’s a shame that not many of these technologies were designed with the assistance of nurses or targeted toward supporting nursing practices.

Nurses are extremely skilled and provide good patient care, but their professions frequently demand them to perform repetitive duties rather than providing more holistic and problem-solving care. This can make individuals feel as if they are not reaching their full potential.

But there is some good news!  Technology has the potential to automate these mundane tasks, allowing nurses to focus on more critical, higher-value tasks. This not only improves patient care but also raises nurse job satisfaction.

Samples of Tools Available for Nurses Working Remotely

PatientTouch, a smartphone technology built into the iPod Touch and iPhone 5 devices by PatientSafe Solutions, enhances the time nurses can spend with patients. In addition, 12-site research indicated that the device reduced drug errors by 99%.

PatientTouch offers three critical services to nurses:

• Positive patient identification at the point of care via barcode verification.
• Secure communication and collaboration with other healthcare professionals within the network.
• The ability to access and update patient records without leaving the patient’s bedside, using a compact device that fits in their pocket.

Epocrates offers a high-tech drug reference guide in the form of a free multi-purpose smartphone app that nurses can utilize. The software provides brand, generic, and over-the-counter drugs and serves as a rapid pill identifier, medical calculator, and source of drug interaction information.

MedCalc 3000 Complete is a popular and comprehensive online medical calculator for nurses that includes over 520 critical medical formulas, decision tree tools, and dose/unit conversions. This comprehensive medical reference and toolset aim to reduce medical errors in hospitals by providing nurses with various essential functions, such as converting Corticosteroid Medication doses, calculating Adult Body Mass Index, and assessing NIH Stroke Scores, all in one convenient location.

Labs 360° is a clinically focused laboratory guide that assists nurses in better understanding medical tests and their importance in patient diagnosis and treatment. Labs 360° is considered one of the top online tools for point-of-care use in the medical industry due to its extensive and relevant diagnostic and clinical information.

How Do I Find Non-Bedside Nursing Job Opportunities?

There are various methods for finding non-bedside nursing jobs:

• Online job boards: Websites such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and Monster contain an extensive database of job postings, including positions in non-bedside nursing.
• Professional nursing organizations: Such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), frequently feature job boards or career centers where members can find job openings.
• Websites of hospitals and healthcare facilities: They frequently provide career sections where you may view and apply for open positions.
• Recruitment agencies: Some firms specialize in putting healthcare workers, including nurses, in various positions.
• Networking: Contact your nursing colleagues’ networks and attend industry conferences to meet possible employers and learn about employment vacancies.
• Freelance and contract work: Provide options for non-bedside nursing, such as remote case management or telehealth nursing.

To maximize your chances of securing a non-bedside nursing job, customize your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant abilities and experience for non-bedside employment and apply to numerous job positions.

FAQs About Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs

What is the typical work schedule for non-bedside nursing jobs?

Non-bedside nursing schedules might vary depending on the role, company, and industry. Work hours may be more flexible than in typical bedside positions, as many jobs can be done remotely or part-time. Some employers provide shift work or staggered schedules, whilst others require a set schedule.

How does the experience in non-bedside nursing roles differ from bedside nursing roles?

Non-bedside nursing roles are still essential for patient care, and you’ll be more concerned with healthcare data and operations. This can include supervising and managing other nurses, interacting with IT systems, assuring billing accuracy, and carrying out administrative duties. It can also refer to the use of technology and data to improve patient outcomes and coordinate care across numerous providers.