Healthcare travelers have some hustle. Who else would leave their homes, families and friends for 13 weeks at a time and launch themselves into new towns, facilities and situations over and over again? We know that travel nurses, as well as rehab, lab and cardio pros, have extra drive and grit.
We think that’s why it’s so common for travelers to have a side hustle. Whether you’ve been side hustlin’ for years or you’re looking for a new one, here are a couple of our faves.
The Triage Referral Program
We know we’re completely biased with this, but our referral program just got an overhaul and we’re so excited. We’ve had one for a long time, but we’ve now launched a referral dashboard that allows all travelers to accurately track where their referrals are in the process so that you’ll know exactly when you can expect your payout. For instance, you’ll be able to see if a recruiter has connected with your referral and even if your referral is avoiding your recruiter’s calls.
You don’t even need to be on assignment to get paid. If you’ve stepped back from traveling and aren’t on assignment, Triage will issue a payment and a 1099. If you’re on assignment you’ll be paid just as if it’s one of your paychecks. It’s the easiest $750 you’ll make and there’s no limit to the number of people you can refer.
Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
If you had to leave a furry friend behind on assignment, taking care of someone else’s pet gives you the opportunity to play with pets, without worrying about taking care of them full-time or while you’re at work. The Rover or Wag app or care.com are all great places to connect with potential pet parents. So if you’re interested in side hustles for nurses and want to hang out with some furry friends, pet sitting can be a great way to make some extra cash since you can work when and how much you want, plus you even get to set your own rates.
Deliver Groceries or Take Out With Delivery Apps
Delivery apps really took off during the pandemic and they’re still popular. If you’re looking to make quick cash, these are definitely one way. Even better, you don’t need to do much to get started and you really only need a vehicle, a driver’s license and insurance. Additionally, because this is a true side gig, you can choose how much and when you want to work. If you’re willing to spend a little more time, you can shop for customers’ groceries using Shipt or Instacart—these apps can pay slightly more, but you will spend more time on each order. If you just want to do pick-ups and deliveries, Grub Hub, Uber Eats, Door Dash or even Walmart allow you to drop off orders at someone’s door without even talking to them.
Use Your Social Media Following
Do your friends always turn to you for advice when it comes to what to buy? Turn that into a social media following and monetize it. Everyone always thinks they need a huge following to get brand deals from major bands, but a lot of brands will look for “micro influencers” with smaller, but loyal followings. However, nearly anyone can become an affiliate for major brands. Companies like Walmart and Amazon routinely partner with people who share their favorite products with a special affiliate link. When someone clicks the link and then shops at that store, the affiliate receives a kickback. It’s typically a small percentage of the total purchase price, but it can add up quickly. If a major following of yours is in the medical profession, you can even share your Triage Referral link and make some extra money that way too.
Babysitting or Child Care
Given their nurturing nature, nurses are well-suited to provide specialized babysitting or childcare services. Parents often look for caregivers who can confidently handle medical emergencies or have experience with children’s health issues, and nurses can use their nursing skills to provide a safe and caring environment. This can be an ideal nurse side hustle with flexibility, allowing you to work around your primary job schedules.
Freelance Writing
Healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, possess vast knowledge that can benefit readers across various platforms. Nurses who feel comfortable writing are great candidates for creating content for medical websites, blogs, journals, or educational materials. This side hustle’s for nurses who want to use their expertise in healthcare topics but also have a flexible schedule and the ability to work from anywhere.
Telehealth Nursing
Side hustles for nurses can sometimes keep them in the medical industry. For instance, the demand for telehealth services has increased significantly, leading to opportunities for medical professionals to provide care remotely. This side gig allows a telehealth nurse to use their clinical skills to assess, advise, and provide care to patients over the phone or through video conferencing. Telehealth nursing also broadens access to care for patients in remote areas, making it a rewarding option for nurses who want to make a difference.
Clinical Trials
Nurses play a crucial role in clinical trials, where they can assist in research studies that test new drugs, treatments, or medical devices, and participating in one can be one of the best side jobs for nurses. This gig not only provides a unique learning experience but also allows nurses to contribute to medical advancements. Clinical trials can involve various roles, from data collection to patient care, catering to different interests and expertise levels.
Medical Transcriptionist
Nurses with exceptional listening and typing skills might consider a career in medical transcription. In this role, you’ll transcribe voice-recorded medical reports into written text. It is an ideal part-time job for nurses familiar with medical terminology and who have experience with patient care documentation. The flexibility to work from home and choose working hours makes this an attractive option for busy schedules.
Paid Medical Surveys
Side jobs for nurses don’t need to require hefty time commitments; sometimes you just need to answer a few questions. Numerous companies and research organizations are seeking healthcare professionals’ opinions to enhance their products or develop new ones. So, if you have some spare time, you can take part in paid medical surveys, which is a flexible way to earn extra money by sharing your professional insights.
Health and Wellness Coaching
If you are a nurse passionate about promoting health and wellness, consider a nursing side hustle as a health and wellness coach. As a wellness coach, you will help clients achieve healthier lifestyles by providing personalized advice on nutrition, exercise, and wellness. As a nurse, you can utilize your medical knowledge and interpersonal skills to support and guide clients in achieving their health goals.
Focus Groups
Nursing students can participate in focus groups that gather insights on healthcare products, services, or policies. This is a side hustle that allows nurses to directly influence the development of healthcare offerings. Participation is usually ad hoc, making it an easy way to earn extra money without a significant time commitment.
First Aid Training or CPR Classes
As a nurse, you’re proficient in emergency care, which makes you ideal candidates for teaching first aid and CPR classes. By doing so, you can offer a valuable service to your community and earn extra income on a flexible schedule. These nursing side jobs can be particularly gratifying for nurses who enjoy education and want to empower others to save lives.
Healthcare Consulting
Nurses with extensive experience can use their knowledge to provide consultation services to healthcare facilities or organizations. This side job for nurses involves giving advice on various aspects of nursing, including best practices, patient care standards, and healthcare management. It’s a fantastic opportunity if you want to have a broader impact on healthcare delivery while also using your professional expertise.
Home Care Services (for Elderly or Ill)
Providing home care services for elderly or ill individuals is an ideal extension of a nurse’s role, and one of the easiest ways to make extra money as a nurse. This side job allows nurses to offer personalized care in the patient’s home, ranging from basic health monitoring to complex medical procedures. It’s a rewarding option if you prefer one-on-one care and want to have the flexibility to work outside of traditional healthcare settings.
Virtual Healthcare Education
The digital transformation in education has opened up a variety of side hustles for nurses. Through virtual healthcare courses or workshops, you can offer courses that range from basic health literacy for the general public to more specialized topics for healthcare peers.
Health Blogging or Vlogging
The combination of healthcare side hustles and ‘influencing’ have been converging rapidly. If you have a talent for storytelling and enjoy sharing insights on health matters, health blogging or vlogging might be perfect for you. You can build up a following by creating content related to healthcare experiences, tips for maintaining good health, or updates in nursing education. You can monetize your content through advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing. This kind of side hustle allows you to increase your digital presence while influencing health trends and public understanding.
Medical Equipment Sales
Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, have extensive experience and knowledge of different medical equipment and their uses. This expertise makes you suitable for part-time medical equipment sales or consultation positions. By collaborating with medical supply companies or manufacturers, you can offer valuable advice to purchasers and enhance the marketability of the products. This LPN side hustle taps into the unique insights and practical knowledge of nurses to improve healthcare delivery.
Mobile Health Clinics
Nurses and healthcare professionals with an entrepreneurial mindset or just want to control their own hours might consider starting or joining mobile health clinic services. These clinics offer vital healthcare services to underserved areas, including preventive care, screenings, and basic treatments.
Although this side hustle requires more logistics and planning, it offers significant rewards in impact and personal fulfillment, making it one of the best side hustles for nurses. Additionally, it allows you to work closely with diverse communities, enhancing your clinical and cultural competencies.
When you’re ready to go back on assignment, reach out to a travel nurse agency to learn more about the prime positions available right now! Our award-winning agency can make a huge difference in your career.
Know someone looking for allied or travel nurse jobs? We’d love to make friends.