Bedside nursing is rewarding, sure, but it’s also physically and emotionally demanding. Long shifts, high patient loads, plus the intensity of clinical care. As a registered nurse, you may be up late after a long shift, wondering, “Are there jobs for nurses outside the hospital?”

Lucky for you, nursing is one of the most versatile professions out there. You’re in a good place to pivot, and alternatives are out there.

Many non-bedside nursing jobs allow you to make a meaningful impact in new ways that aren’t quite so exhausting. You don’t have to spend your entire career working 12-hour shifts at the bedside. Phew!

Below, we’ll take a closer look at 15 non-bedside nursing jobs that blend your clinical expertise with new opportunities.

Non-bedside nursing jobs to consider

While there are a lot of exciting career options in nursing, it’s not always simple to switch directions. Many non-beside nursing roles are competitive and often require clinical experience, additional certifications, or advanced education. Keep that in mind when gaining traction to switch gears. You may have some certifications or additional education along the way.

Here are some of the best, non-bedside nursing careers you can achieve:

1. Nurse educator

Vital for continuing a tradition of high-quality nursing, nurse educators teach and train future nurses in academic or clinical settings. Nurse educators earn a median salary of around $80,000 annually, and most roles will require a BSN and MSN, so dust off those notes! Further, certification such as Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) is often preferred.

2. Nursing case manager

A good first step away from the bedside and into leadership, case managers coordinate patient care plans and ensure efficient use of healthcare resources. Although not required, certification, such as CCM (Certified Case Manager), can help open doors.

3. Telehealth/virtual nurse

One of the fastest-growing non-bedside nursing jobs, telehealth nurses provide patient care remotely via phone or video platforms, offering you flexibility while maintaining patient interaction.

4. Forensic nurse

A truly compelling blend of nursing and forensics, these nurses work with victims of trauma or violence, often collaborating with law enforcement. At the moment, no additional certification is available or required for this type of role.

5. Legal nurse consultant

Another interesting blend of nursing and the law, and one of the more specialized jobs for nurses outside the hospital, legal nurse consultants assist attorneys by interpreting medical records and providing expert opinions.

6. Nurse navigator/patient advocate

An extremely impactful non-bedside nursing job that’s focused on patient advocacy, nurse navigators guide patients through complex healthcare systems, particularly in oncology or chronic care.

7. Nurse recruiter

Completely apart from the hospital, nurse recruiters work in HR or staffing agencies, helping healthcare organizations find qualified nursing talent. One of many non-bedside nursing jobs, this type of position leverages clinical experience in a business-focused environment.

Interested in advancing your RN career? Consider an RN-to-BSN program!

8. Medical and pharmaceutical sales

Perhaps one of the most lucrative directions you could explore, as compensation often includes commission, is medical and pharmaceutical sales, where nurses educate providers about medications or medical devices. In this field, strong interpersonal skills and clinical knowledge are key.

9. Nurse researcher

Ready to move from the bedside to a lab, university, or private organization? Nurse researchers conduct studies to improve patient outcomes and healthcare practices. Although you’ll need to be interested in more study yourself, as most positions require a master’s or doctoral degree.

10. Medical writer

If you’re a nurse with strong writing skills and attention to detail, perhaps writing is the next step for you! One of the fastest-growing non-bedside nursing jobs, medical writers create educational content, clinical documentation, and research summaries.

11. Clinical informaticist

An interesting bridge between healthcare and technology, clinical informaticists implement and improve data systems and patient care processes. Learn more about this role through the American Nurses Association.

12. Public health nurse

Public health nurses focus on community wellness, disease prevention, and health education, often working in government agencies or nonprofits, and represent impactful jobs for nurses outside the hospital.

13. Occupational health nurse

Another advocacy role, occupational health nurses promote workplace safety and employee wellness. This role typically requires additional certification, available through the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses.

14. Director of nursing

Directors of nursing oversee nursing staff and healthcare operations. Ideal for those ready to step into management within non-bedside nursing jobs, this leadership role typically requires extensive experience and a BSN or MSN.

15. Infection control nurse

Especially important as we’ve all recently survived a pandemic, infection control nurses develop protocols to prevent the spread of disease in healthcare settings. Additional certification is preferred for these positions. Learn more at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

Land an exciting career with nursing education

Many of the above titles are best for mid-career nurses, aka RNs with experience and either a BSN or MSN degree. If you need the credentials to advance, a career-focused nursing school like Goodwin University can help you get there.

After earning an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), passing the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN), and becoming licensed as an RN, you may choose to continue to complete your bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN).

The RN-to-BSN degree program at Goodwin can be completed part-time in 16 months or on a different timeline that meets your unique needs. For added flexibility, this program is offered completely online, allowing nurses to complete their advanced degree while maintaining their nursing jobs.

A master’s degree in Nursing or an APRN degree can take your career to the next level and prepare you for even more opportunities within nursing. These graduate-level programs are designed to accommodate the busy schedule of a working RN and, like the RN-to-BSN degree, may be completed online and part-time.

If you’re ready to take your nursing career to new heights, learn more about the nursing programs at Goodwin University by calling 800-889-3282 or visiting us online to request more information.