Most (if not all) nurses don't wear superhero capes, but you should—you deserve it! No matter if you're working in a hospital, in a private clinic, or at a school, your skills are invaluable and contribute to making people's lives better day after day. Not many people can say that about their jobs.
You deserve to be paid fairly for your work—but we know that sometimes, even a full-time job may not be enough, and picking up more and more overtime may lead to burnout.
What can you do to earn extra money and not lose your sanity? It's easy—pick up a side hustle and work on your own terms. With a side gig, you can earn as much as you want by working when you have the time and energy to do so.
What are some of the best side hustles for nurses? We'll tell you all about it below.
Why should nurses get a side hustle?
Nurses and other healthcare workers generally enjoy a degree of job security that many other people can only dream of. There are never enough nurses to fulfill all the various jobs that you can do, from working in a hospital to assisting senior patients in their homes.
Still, picking up a side hustle is not a bad idea, even if you feel like finding a new full-time job will never be a problem. There's no easier way to make extra money in your profession, and having more than one stream of income gives you a layer of security that no single job can ever provide.
However, nurses who want to increase their income are often faced with a dilemma: there's almost no way that you can reliably pick up a second job (nor should you be forced to). We know that as a nurse, you're used to working long hours and alternating shifts.
A second job may be difficult to fit into your schedule, not to mention the mental and physical toll it takes on you when you already work so much.
This is why side hustles are the answer here. You can do what you feel like, when you know you have the time, and get paid for it. What's more, a lot of these jobs can be done from home, and some of them result in passive income—which is even better. Making money while you're sleeping is so good.
The fact that you have such a specialized and in-demand background only puts you in a better position. Instead of spending time on jobs that don't require extra qualifications, such as DoorDash or Uber, you can jump right into the things that pay well.
So, what can you do as a nurse? A better question is, what can't you do? No worries—we'll show you the best options so you can make good money and stay sane.
The best side hustles for nurses
Side hustles for nurses range from jobs that you can do on your couch to gigs that will take you not just out of the house, but even out of the city. Which pay best, and which are the easiest to pair with your busy schedule?
Our comprehensive guide will give you the best 23 options you should look into.
1. Write ebooks
As a nurse, you've got so much knowledge to share that you surely have enough material to fill a whole book. Well, why not try an ebook, which you can get paid for quickly and easily through Whop?
Your experience could help others get into the profession, with tips on how to stay afloat. Or, if you're looking to reach a wider audience, you could focus on funny or dramatic stories from your time in the ward. You can also write books related to health and fitness, study guides, and so much more.
Writing an ebook is much quicker than it might seem—it's not a "Game of Thrones" type of time commitment. The average non-fiction ebook typically ranges from around 2,000 to 20,000 words, which translates to anywhere between 5 and 80 pages. The best thing about ebooks is that they're a great source of passive income—you can write in your own free time. Then, make a whop, which takes all of five minutes, and you're all set—let it collect sales while you work on your next book.
Pros
- Earn passive income
- Low startup cost
- Flexibility in choosing a topic that interests you
Cons
- High initial time investment
- Requires marketing yourself
Earnings: Earnings are based on sales and marketing, but potentially between $50 and over $500 per book
2. Offer telehealth consultations
Telehealth consultations were already a thing pre-pandemic, but various lockdowns made them much more common. Even though we're no longer stuck at home, many of us appreciate the ease and comfort of talking with a healthcare professional over the phone. For you, as a nurse, this means an increase in opportunities for telehealth nursing.
You can host your own consultations with patients, and be in control of your schedule. This can work as a full-time job or a side gig—it's up to you.
You'll need a license first so make sure to check all the legal requirements in your area, but once you're up and running, you can earn an average salary of $83,000.
Pros
- High salary potential
- Remote work allows for a flexible schedule/location
- Telehealth is consistently in demand
Cons
- Requires a valid license
- You have to follow various legal regulations
- You must be properly insured or risk liability concerns
Earnings: Between $50-$150 per consultation
3. Offer private tutoring for nursing students
The money involved in private tutoring is sometimes overlooked or taken for granted. However, parents are always extremely keen to help their college-aged kids get into a good school, and students are often looking for some extra support. With very little additional training, you can simply pass on what you already know for a sweet, sweet hourly rate.
The best thing about tutoring is that it's an entirely flexible gig. We know you're busy—your students likely know it, too. You can tutor from the comfort of your own home or in person and do as much or as little as your packed schedule allows.
An easy way to get started is Whop. You can set up your own whop in a few minutes and let students book private calls with you within a set timeframe. You can even sell downloadable PDF worksheets, online courses, and ebooks from that same whop hub.
Pros
- Completely flexible schedule
- You can upsell supplemental materials
Cons
- Demand may be inconsistent
- Certain types of tutoring may require special licenses
Earnings: Average around $25 an hour
4. Share your experiences on social media
You don't need to live a glamorous life and spend all your time at the beach with a cocktail in hand to become a content creator. These days, people appreciate learning about real-world experiences, and we know you've got a lot of those. Creating online content on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube is a surefire way to reach a large audience that wants to hear more about nursing.
Similar to an ebook, you can pass on your nursing experiences—perhaps as words of warning, advice, or entertaining stories (just make sure you don't upload content of patients without authorization!).
There's a lot of flexibility in this type of work, and you don't even need to reveal yourself to the public. Perhaps you don't want to use your own face or voice in your online content, or you don't want to create content from scratch—look into faceless reels as a solution to that predicament.
Pros
- Creative freedom and ability to scale
- Additional income revenue streams possible
- Flexible hours and location
Cons
- Requires consistent content output and engagement
- Growth is not guaranteed
- May require investment in tools or learning new skills
Earnings: Extremely variable based on success
5. Administer vaccines
Nurses really are the backbone of our healthcare system. This manifests itself in many ways, such as when it comes to vaccinating the wider population. This is, of course, crucial—thanks to your work, kids have all their shots, everyone gets their COVID-19 boosters, and travelers are safe from exotic illnesses.
Alongside your main job, you can administer vaccines at a clinic or local health center. Importantly, there is usually the possibility of flexible working hours. Check for these side gigs with your local pharmacies, private clinics, or community health centers.
Pros
- You can have a tangible impact on public health
- High demand in public health settings
- Opportunity to supplement primary income
Cons
- Requires certifications and training
- The work is physical and often repetitive
- Can involve travel and irregular hours
Earnings: Between $20 and $50 per hour
6. Start a nurse community
Nursing is a tough job—we know. At the end of the day, many people just want to vent to someone who gets it, or trade experiences with someone in the field—but that's not always easy. You can be a force for change here and start your own online community, 100% dedicated to nursing. Once your community is up and running, you can engage with other nurses looking to trade experiences, or even with nursing students looking to develop their skills.
The best part of it all is that you can make a passive income by running a community. You can monetize it, adding a subscription fee and making it exclusive. If you want, you can combine this with writing ebooks or selling other digital products to make even more money.
Once you've decided to create a nursing community, you don't have to build it from scratch! You can set one up with Whop in just a few minutes, and then it's up to you whether to add more stuff to it or leave it as is.
Pros
- Build passive income through subscriptions
- Direct contact with your followers and other nurses
- It's a great way to expand into other side hustles, like ebooks
Cons
- Building and keeping a community engaged requires constant work
- Initial growth can be slow
Earnings: Earnings depend on the fee you set and how well you market the community, but potentially up to $5,000 per month or more.
7. Offer nutrition advice
Offering nutritional advice is one option with huge potential—an incredible $5.61 trillion is invested in the health and wellness industry every year, and it's projected to keep growing.
With your nursing expertise, why not get involved? Your nutritional advice could focus on special dietary needs such as the low FODMAP diet or a meal plan for diabetics, how to lose weight, or how to eat healthy on a budget. You can tailor your services to match different ages, genders, and body types.
As a nurse, you can offer nutrition advice through one-on-one calls; by setting up an exclusive community; by writing ebooks; or even selling downloadable meal plans. Or, do a combination of all of these and create multiple streams of income.
With Whop, you can do all of the above in one place. Set up a community, upload some helpful pdfs, and host private calls or webinars. With multiple pricing tiers, you can let your members choose what they need most, making it beneficial for both sides!
Pros
- The wellness and fitness markets are huge right now
- You can niche down to reach a more engaged audience
- You can expand your business to offer coaching, ebooks, and more
Cons
- You may need additional certifications
- The market is quite competitive
Earnings: Between $50 and $200 per hour
8. Work as a home health nurse
As a nurse, your skills aren't restricted to a private clinic or hospital. Many in your local community will require at-home support. This includes:
- providing medication
- giving consultations
- checking vital signs
- monitoring infants
Demand is growing, and there is an opportunity for closer bonds with your patients compared to working in a clinical setting. Make sure you've sorted your license for home healthcare first, and then the opportunities for delivering care will grow and grow. You can search for these gigs on websites like Amedisys.
Pros
- There is a consistent need for home health nurses
- Higher earnings if you specialize in an area like pediatrics or geriatrics
- The schedule is far more flexible than a hospital shift
Cons
- You must be properly licensed and have insurance
- The work can be physically demanding
- This type of work can be especially emotionally taxing
Earnings: Between $25 and $50 per hour with the potential for more if a patient requires more specialized care
9. Coach on CPR and First Aid
So many organizations need training on health and safety procedures. Often, they will look to outsource this training, to make sure it's as expert as possible—and that's where you come in. You can work as a freelance CPR and First Aid coach for various companies, schools, and more.
You'll need to get some qualifications and equipment first, but there are lots of advantages to this type of work: complete control over your schedule, for starters. Plus clients will continuously need to refresh their training, so there could be a constant stream of income.
Pros
- There is a frequent demand for refresher courses
- You can work in person or offer remote coaching
Cons
- You may have to invest in training materials
- The work may be inconsistent
- This job usually requires additional certifications
Earnings: You can make between $30 and $75 per hour, or more when coaching large groups like offices
10. Work as a medical writer
Many nurses have excellent writing skills that never really get to flourish during their daily work. But did you know many online health publications are looking for freelance writers? This can be a super fulfilling and flexible way to make some extra money.
There are several ways to get into the medical writing game:
- start your own blog to build up your own archive of content
- put your people skills to use by conducting interviews and publishing them online
- pitch an article on your specialty to one of your favorite health publications
Why not take a look at existing blogs, websites, and newspapers, to see what styles and topics are currently popular? Then, you can develop your own niche within the industry. Likely you'll find that many of the skills you've developed in nursing will transfer to writing.
Pros
- Use your nursing experience in a creative way
- Areas like pharmacology and public health are in high demand
- You can add to your professional resume with bylines and publications
Cons
- You may have to learn the correct writing style for your niche
- Rates can vary depending on things like demand, topic, and expertise
- Deadlines can be tight
Earnings: Most writers earn between $0.10 and $1.00 per word
11. Become a medical transcriptionist
Another way to make money from your writing skills is by typing up medical reports. This involves listening to recordings from medical professionals and transcribing them, or proofreading existing reports.
Your nursing expertise will be highly valued when it comes to maintaining accuracy in medical terminology and patient information. Some of the more popular platforms for these gigs include Rev.com, TranscribeMe, and Scribie.
Pros
- Very minimal startup cost or training
- The work is independent and remote
- There is a steady demand for medical documentation
Cons
- It's pretty monotonous
- Beginning pay is usually low
- Transcription jobs typically have a lot of competition
Earnings: Between $15 and $30 an hour, depending on experience
12. Become a clinical research nurse
Perhaps you have some academic ambitions that stretch even further than all the studying you've already had to do. Well, there are opportunities to flex this brainy muscle. You can conduct research into how to improve nursing practice, by contributing to studies within hospitals and laboratories.
There will likely be some extra studying involved, but in the long run, it creates a potential for a higher income. Look for opportunities within hospitals, clinics, and universities. Earning advanced certifications, such as Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) or Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), can give you an edge.
Pros
- You're always up-to-date with the latest research
- Collaboration opportunities can help you advance in the field
- There is potential for long-term career growth and not just side hustle work
Cons
- Requires a level of ongoing education some people may not want to invest in
- The workload can be intense during study phases
- You always have to follow all sorts of rigid protocols
Earnings: Doing this full-time can net you up to six figures annually, but irregular work varies between $25 and $100 an hour
13. Create nursing study guides
Studying healthcare is one of the most demanding subjects out there. Since you've already successfully passed this stage, you can help students manage their stress with a study guide.
Some of the things your study guide could include are:
- to-do lists
- weekly and monthly goals
- modules and chapters organized by topics, such as anatomy, pharmacology, patient care, etc.
- interactive quizzes and practice tests
- NCLEX exam help
- timed assessments
- infographics and diagrams
- customizable study planners and trackers
Selling a digital product such as this is a great way to quickly earn some extra pocket money. You can make one base template and then edit it to fit various needs, netting you more cash for less work.
Pros
- There will always be nursing students who need some help
- Study guides are a great source of passive income
- Updating your guides should be quick and easy
Cons
- These guides aren't evergreen; be ready for updates
- Upfront time investment as you set up your products
Earnings: Average guides sell for $10-$50, though specialized guides can go for hundreds of dollars
14. Work as a school nurse
Every school needs a nurse, and so does every nursery—the clue's in the name! You can pick up extra shifts at schools, nurseries, or even colleges and be available if one of the kids needs some help.
Your duties will include assessing and treating minor injuries and illnesses, administering medication, and conducting regular health screenings. Search for gigs like this on school district websites, online job boards, or within professional associations like the NASN.
Pros
- You can work in a structured environment
- Primarily involves low-stress situations like minor illnesses and injuries
- Potentially can lead to full-time employment
Cons
- Limited ability to grow in the position
- Fairly low income compared to clinical roles
Earnings: $20 to $35 per hour on average
15. Make health trackers for nurses
It's not only students who need help with keeping on top of everything. As it can be such a taxing and time-consuming job, a health tracker can help nurses take care of themselves along with everyone else. This could include:
- Meal preps
- Weight and heart monitoring
- Workout routines
- To-do lists
You can even invert this and make health trackers for nurses to print out and use in a hospital setting, noting down important information on each patient. Some of the most popular tools for this include Excel, Notion, and Canva.
Pros
- Selling trackers is a fantastic source of passive income
- Low production cost
- As a nurse, you're uniquely qualified to know what another nurse needs in a tracker—this is a great selling point
Cons
- You need to have some basic understanding of design
- It may take a while to start earning money
Earnings: Between $5 and $100 per tracker
16. Help clients as a caregiver for the elderly
As a home health nurse, you could focus on caring for the elderly in your local community. Daily check-ups can provide invaluable support. Your tasks may include assisting with administering medication and managing medical equipment.
Elderly caregivers also often help their patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing or feeding. You'll also need a bit of brawn, as patients often require mobility assistance.
It might be simple or mundane for you, but it can mean a lot to elderly people who are maybe stuck at home. The more personal and friendly aspect of this nursing is another advantage compared to clinical work.
Pros
- One-on-one interactions can be meaningful work
- Your tasks will be diverse enough to keep the job interesting
- There's a growing and steady demand for elderly caregivers
Cons
- This job can be both physically and emotionally draining
- Be prepared for irregular hours
- Pay rates vary by location and employer
Earnings: On average between $15 and $25 per hour, with potential for much more
17. Start a nursing newsletter
Did you know that over 4.73 billion people will be using email globally by 2026? (That's just one of the many useful newsletter statistics you should check out.)
Starting a nursing newsletter can be a good way to make some money on the side, completely on your terms. If you have a skill for writing and want to share your expertise with colleagues, students, or friends and family, why not make the most of this mammoth market?
In your newsletter, you can talk about the various facets of nursing, and you can make it more attractive by adding more content. Your newsletter can serve as a funnel to get people to buy your other creations, such as ebooks, study guides, or access to private communities.
Setting up a newsletter with Whop is quick and easy thanks to the Mailmodo integration. You'll be able to send thousands of emails every month, get access to templates, and benefit from automated email sequences.
Pros
- Newsletters are great for keeping your audience engaged
- Subscriptions equal steady, regular income
- You can cross-promote products like ebooks and study guides
Cons
- Requires consistent content creation to keep subscribers feeling like they're getting their money’s worth
- Building a subscriber base doesn't happen overnight
- You have to stay up to date on industry trends and news
Earnings: Between $5 and $200 (or more!) per subscriber
18. Pick up extra work as a per diem nurse (PRN)
This involves working short freelance shifts at hospitals, nursing homes, or local health centers when it's particularly busy. There are lots of potential advantages:
- more flexible routine
- high hourly pay rate of $33 on average
- more variety in the type of work
- only work at times and places convenient for you
Of course, nothing is perfect, and neither is this gig. Having to work in different locations can get tiring, and as an extra nurse, you won't enjoy the same benefits as full-time staff. You can find these types of jobs on websites like Indeed or Aya Healthcare.
Pros
- Flexible shifts
- This helps add some variety to your day-to-day work
- You get to pick both times and locations
Cons
- Your shifts are not guaranteed and can be canceled last minute
- You may be asked to work holidays or night shifts
- You can be floated to any department
Earnings: Average hourly pay rate is $33; you may earn more if you're specialized in a certain field of medicine
19. Start a nursing podcast
Over the last few years, podcasts went from this thing only full-time content creators spent time on to something so much more approachable.
As someone with a lifetime of crazy, inspirational, or educational stories to share, you're the perfect person to start your own podcast. It won't happen overnight, but eventually, you'll build yourself a good source of podcast-related revenue from ads, live events, subscription exclusives, and more.
Pros
- Shape opinions and share insight with other medical professionals
- You can make money from ads, sponsorships, and exclusive content
- Once you have an audience, you can make a lot more money by selling digital products
Cons
- Podcasting is a steady time investment
- You may need to spend some money upfront on equipment
Earnings: Beginner podcasts can make between $50 and $500 a month, but experienced podcasters can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars monthly
20. Participate in medical surveys
When it comes to side hustles that require very little effort, medical surveys seem like a no-brainer. Some of these can be completed in just a few minutes. Higher-paying ones might take a few hours, but of course, you can arrange them around your own free time.
Just make sure to check that the organization is reliable before diving in. Some popular names to look into include M3 Global Research, InCrowd, and Sermo.
Pros
- No long-term commitment required
- minimal effort
- Some platforms offer surveys regularly if you're qualified
Cons
- Earnings are inconsistent between surveys
- You may be disqualified during the screening process
Earnings: Between $2 and $50 per survey
21. Assist disabled patients
Many disabled people in your local community will need assistance with ADLs, as well as the medical side of things, including phlebotomy, taking vitals, and administering medication. As a nurse, you're the ideal candidate for jobs like this. While some patients require 24/7 help, you can find people who are fine with a more flexible schedule.
If you have experience in working with patients with special requirements, such as Alzheimer's, dementia, or autism, you may be able to command higher hourly rates.
Pros
- You can make a significant difference in someone’s quality of life
- This type of caregiving offers consistently high demand
- Specialized nurses can get even higher pay
Cons
- This job can be emotionally difficult
- Scheduling is often irregular
Earnings: $20 to $40 per hour
22. Work as a camp nurse
Are you sick of working in clinics? Perhaps you're just keen for a change of scenery, but you don't want to fork out on a holiday. Well, nature camps and retreats usually need a nurse on call, so here's how you can keep working and still enjoy a little getaway.
You can find these types of jobs on Camp Nurse Jobs or on Indeed. This work will often be seasonal, and you may be stationed far from any hospital. But then again, perhaps that's exactly what you're looking for.
The downside? Many clinics or hospitals may not want to let you go for a whole month or two every year, so a full-time job becomes tricky.
The downside? Many clinics or hospitals may not want to let you go for a whole month or two every year, so a full-time job becomes tricky.
Pros
- A fun change of environment vs. a hospital setting
- You get to travel, meet new people, and spend time with kids
Cons
- Taking two months off of a full-time job is really hard
- Limited roles available
- Camp nurses are on call 24/7
Earnings: Between $800 and $1,500 per week
23. Become a mobile phlebotomist
Mobile phlebotomy is another specialist skill that you can turn into a side gig without allowing it to take over your entire life. Long story short, you'll be taking blood from patients, but may also be asked to collect urine samples or mouth swabs. You'll mostly visit your patients in their homes, but you may also visit various workplaces.
There is some training involved to get a license, but once you're up and running, you can decide your own routine and charge your own hourly rate. There are even services dedicated to connecting nurses with patients, such as TravaLabs.
Pros
- Flexible hours
- High demand for in-home and workplace services
- Minimal startup costs if you already have licensing
Cons
- You definitely need a car
- You may be exposed to various illnesses
- Training and certification are required
Earnings: Between $25 and $50 per hour
24. Work for (or start) a mobile IV business
If you’re a nurse with IV experience, you can capitalize on a growing industry. According to research done in 2023, the IV hydration therapy market was already valued at 2.47 billion USD and only growing from there.
IV hydration is a great way to help people boost their immune system or offer a cosmetic boost. Hydration therapy is believed to hydrate the skin more effectively, which helps the production of elastin and collagen.
Convenience services are an entire market by themselves, so the mobile business model is a perfect intersection. People can enjoy the benefits without having to disrupt their day.
Mobile IV units have also become popular features at large events and music festivals, offering a hydrating respite for people suffering from having a little too much fun.
When starting your own business, you can decide which audience you want to cater to—or open yourself up to all of them!
Pros
- Convenience healthcare is a growing market
- Working events can be a nice change of pace
Cons
- Startup costs can be high if you need to buy your own equipment
- You need licensing and insurance
Earnings: Between $50 and $300 per session, depending on what you offer
25. Review medical equipment for companies
The global medical device market is massive. It's also in constant need of trained professionals to evaluate new devices.
This is the type of side hustle that you can easily be recruited into. Companies will reach out via LinkedIn or medical forums to find the right kind of reviewers for their products.
The types of products can include:
- diagnostic tools like stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, and thermometers
- surgical instruments like scalpels, forceps, or specialized tools
- wearable medical devices like glucose monitors, fitness trackers, and portable ECG devices
- patient care equipment like infusion pumps, patient lifts, and hospital beds
- home healthcare products like nebulizers, CPAP machines, and blood glucose meters
You can usually earn up to $150 per medical review, but it can be more depending on the depth of review necessary. If you have very specialized experience, that can also come into play and earn you some extra money!
Pros
- You can influence tools in the healthcare industry
- Some of the work can be remote or done at home depending on the tool and testing methods
- Specialized reviews can get better pay
Cons
- Opportunities may not come on a regular basis
- Companies will require detailed reports—those can get time-consuming
Earnings: Between $50 and $150 per review, with potential for more
26. Work as a patient advocate for insurance
Someone familiar with insurance policies and the medical industry can earn a pretty penny assisting clients as a patient advocate for insurance purposes.
As a patient advocate, you’ll be helping these clients understand their insurance policies and seeing them through the billing dispute process if needed. You can help them work around the fine print of insurance policies to get the treatments they need.
While a nursing background itself is enough to qualify you, you can also get specific training through organizations like The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates.
Not only can this training come in handy with the job, but it also provides you an opportunity to network and start building a client list. You don't have to work with your clients in person—you can communicate with them through your own whop regardless of where they're located.
Pros
- Helping patients navigate complex systems can be gratifying
- There is always a demand for knowledgeable advocates
- Potential for long-term client relationships
- It's possible to do this 100% remotely
Cons
- Working with insurance companies can be stressful
- You may need specific training or certification
- Challenging cases can provide an emotional toll
Earnings: $20 to $75 per hour, with potential for more when dealing with specific advocacy cases
27. Host nursing workshops or webinars
We’ve already talked a little about how nursing can intersect with the online education market, but here’s another possibility to consider aside from creating courses or becoming a private tutor.
You can host your own speaking sessions, webinars, and lectures online, then sell access to them with Whop.
These would be useful to anyone looking to get a quick lesson in a specific aspect of nursing, or the medical field.
Here are some examples of topics:
- NCLEX preparation
- Time management for nurses
- Advanced Clinical skills
- Stress management for nurses
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support refreshers
- Nutrition essentials
- Recognizing mental health red flags
Whop is free to use, and has a built-in webinar app where you can create a paid event using Zoom as a streaming platform.
Pro tip: Use social media to build up a following in addition to your regular webinars. Like this, you'll be able to get more and more people interested in joining your talks when you go live.
Pros
- Unique opportunity to build a professional following and network
- You can schedule around other duties or shifts
- High-quality content can earn you a lot more money
Cons
- Lots of pre-planning required
- You'll also need to work on building a steady audience
Earnings: The earnings are super variable here, but a successful webinar can net you $2,000 and more if you have a huge follower base
28. Sell handmade medical-themed items
If you want to wind down after a long day at work, and you're crafty, why not start selling creative items that would be useful—or simply just cute—for other medical professionals?
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some ideas:
- badge reels
- anatomical art for offices
- medical-themed jewelry
- embroidery kits or patterns
- crocheted organ plushies
- nurse planner covers
- custom tote bags
- nurse-themed stickers
- custom scrubs
Some of these (like planner covers, art, and embroidery patterns) can also be sold as digital products.
Digital products have the benefit of not requiring space for inventory or storage, and not needing to spend any time on packing or shipping. The best part? You can start selling them on Whop in just a few minutes, and it's completely free.
Pros
- Put your creativity to work in a fun way
- Next to no startup costs if you sell digital products
- Selling with Whop is super easy and takes minutes
Cons
- Physical products require materials, storage, and shipping
- Market saturation may be difficult to overcome
- Low potential for passive income with physical products (this isn't an issue for digital products)
Earnings: Anywhere from $5 to $1,000 per item
29. Become a legal nurse consultant
Legal consulting in general is a huge industry, but if you have specialized knowledge in the medical field you can make a lot of money.
As a legal consultant, you review medical records, write up an expert report, and potentially can even testify in court.
Since legal consulting is done on a case-by-case basis, you can choose when you feel like you have the time to dedicate to it. This makes it great flexible side hustle for actively working nurses.
You can get certified to be a legal expert in your field through organizations like the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants or the Nurse Consultant Legal Institute.
Pros
- If you're specialized, you can get a great rate
- The work can be pretty flexible
Cons
- You've got to be certified and understand the legal process
- Each case can be pretty time-consuming
Earnings: Between $100 and $200 per hour
30. Do medical billing and coding
If you want to find a thriving side hustle where you’ll never have to wait too long for a job, consider medical billing and coding.
Medical billing and coding is a data entry job. Coders look at medical records and translate the services used into standardized codes for billing purposes. These turn into claims submitted to Medicare or other insurance companies.
Having official training and certification can help you earn a higher rate. You can become certified through the American Academy of Professional Coders or the American Health Information Management Association.
Pros
- Consistent demand
- You can work remotely
- Training is widely available and inexpensive
Cons
- You most likely have to be certified—check your local laws
- This is a pretty monotonous side hustle
- You'll be glued to your computer for hours on end
Earnings: $20 to $30 per hour
31. Create a medical-themed YouTube channel
Why not turn to YouTube to talk about your experience as a nurse, or perhaps about health-related tips?
As a medical YouTuber, you can focus on your day-to-day life as a nurse, or you can make educational or informative content. You can even offer career advice if you want to help future healthcare workers.
Building a channel does require a lot of up front work. You have to learn how to edit, work to promote yourself, and make regular content so the algorithm favors you.
But, once you’ve established yourself, you can offer members-only content or even access to a paid community for your viewers. They'll love it, and you'll make a lot more money than through doing YouTube alone.
Pros
- Multiple revenue streams (ads, sponsorships, memberships, digital products)
- A fun, creative outlet that lets you share information and opinions
- You can build your own brand
Cons
- Content creation is a never-ending job
- Lots of marketing required
- Some nursing content may be demonetized
Earnings: Between $100 and $1,000 to begin, though you must hit a minimum watch time threshold to be monetized
32. Provide childcare for children with disabilities
Parents are willing to pay a premium for people they can trust with their child’s safety and health, especially for children with additional needs. As a qualified medical professional, you can earn money through childcare for this specific niche.
In these situations, you may end up needing to offer emergency medical care. This can include attending to a child who has just had a seizure, an allergic reaction, or one that has gone into respiratory distress.
Having experience working in pediatrics is almost a must in this kind of job. In addition, a good overview of nutrition and various disabilities is helpful.
Pros
- You can charge more if you can offer specialized care
- You can get repeat work through word-of-mouth references
- Certain clients offer flexible schedules
Cons
- Very emotionally demanding work
- You're often dealing with the patient all by yourself
- Hours are based on what the client needs
Earnings: Between $20 and $50 per hour
33. Pick up shifts at a medical spa
Medical spas (like the name would imply) are a combination of a traditional spa and a medical facility.
In addition to the traditional things you’d expect to get at a spa, like a facial or a massage, they also offer treatments done by medical professionals.
Here are some of the procedures that you, as a licensed nurse, can train to do at a medspa:
- injectables like Botox, dermal filler, and other anti-aging treatments
- IV therapy to offer vitamin infusions
- medical-grade facials which are typically performed in a clinical setting
- advanced body contouring involving skin tightening with threads or injection lipolysis
You can get additional specialized certification in aesthetic nursing through the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery.
Pros
- Aesthetic nursing pays really well
- You can learn and perform new cosmetic procedures
- Adds some niche experience to your resume
Cons
- You need additional certifications for some treatments
- Availability of this type of work depends on the demand for services in your area
- You may be required to work in 4-8 hour shifts
Earnings: $20 to $100 per hour, depending on what you are qualified to do
34. Start a customized scrubs business
As a nurse, you don't get much of a say in what you wear to work—you're most likely wearing scrubs. But that doesn't mean that you can't get a little creative, and then share that creativity with the world!
If you like sewing or embroidery, you can make custom scrubs with unique designs.
There are websites like Fabric on Demand, Contrado, and Spoonflower that allow you to print your own designs on fabric. You can personalize these further to add names or other text.
Scrubs generally cost between $30 and $70 depending on the quality, so you have the option to set your price margin fairly high.
Using what you know from firsthand experience with healthcare workers, you can build a brand that people want to support!
Pros
- You've got personal experience using scrubs, which gives you credibility
- Potentially high profit margins on custom designs
- You can make lots more money just selling digital products, such as patterns
Cons
- If you're making these yourself, this is a time-consuming gig
- Constant marketing required to scale your business
- Cost of materials from suppliers may vary
Earnings: $30 to $150 per item
35. Lactation consultant
Lactation consultants support parents in figuring out newborn issues like latching difficulties, milk supply problems, and breastfeeding-associated medical conditions.
If you want to become a lactation consultant, you will need specific training that involves clinical hours, coursework, and passing an exam. Once you accomplish that, you'll be an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
Hospitals are often willing to provide funding for nurses who want to pursue certification since it’s beneficial for them to have lactation experts on staff. But, once you're certified, you can also earn between $25 and $50 per hour freelancing.
Pros
- Pretty consistent demand
- Many nurses enjoy this work as it can be quite fulfilling
- Hospitals may fund interested nurses
Cons
- Requires IBCLC certification and clinical experience
- Distressed families may present an emotional challenge
Earnings: $25 and $50 per hour
How much time do you need to dedicate to a side hustle as a nurse?
The time required for a nursing-related side hustle depends almost entirely on the job itself.
Let's go over a few of the options listed above and consider how much time each might take.
- Mobile IV therapy sessions take between 30 and 60 minutes, along with side for setup and cleaning equipment between patients.
- If you work as a lactation consultant, prepare to set aside 1 to 2 hours per session. Good news, though: These can often be done online, so websites like Whop come in handy and save you heaps of time.
- Medical billing and coding requires consistent time blocks and the ability to meet a deadline, though it can be done in intervals along the way. It's a decent gig to slot in between your other shifts.
- Working at a medical spa is essentially picking up an entire shift. Set aside 4 to 8 hours and prepare to spend that time working.
- Hosting workshops and webinars usually takes up several hours of prep time, but you can do that when you're free; the actual webinar lasts for up to 2 hours.
The best way to make extra money as a nurse is to pick a flexible gig that lets you work on it whenever you have a little time to spare. This includes gigs like running a private community or selling digital products.
Do you need additional certifications for nursing-related side hustles?
Many side hustles do require extra certifications, but there are also plenty that don't.
- Medspa treatment positions usually prefer you have certification, but the training can be done one to two day courses offered by the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine.
- It's preferred (but not required!) that legal nurse consultants have the American Association of Legal Nurse certification, which takes 6-12 weeks to complete.
- As a lactation consultant, you'll be required to become IBCLC certified, and the training can take up to two years—so it's definitely not quick to start.
- Working in medical insurance and advocating for patients doesn't need a certificate, but you can charge higher rates with Patient Advocate Certification Board approval.
Certain gigs have different requirements in some states, so it's best to always do some research before you dive in. Better safe than sorry!
What is the best side hustle for a nurse?
Now that you've seen our list of the best side hustles for nurses, you probably already have a few favorite picks. But, from these 23 jobs, which one gives you the best money for the least amount of work?
It's simple: anything that gets you to earn passive income and lets you work on your own terms is "the best." The exact type of gig is up to you here, and to make it even better, it should align with your skills and interests.
Let's compare a job like picking up extra shifts as an elderly caregiver—which, admittedly, can pay very well—to a side hustle that you create for yourself, such as writing nursing ebooks.
The former forces you to leave the house and perform one of the most difficult jobs out there. Meanwhile, writing ebooks can be done whenever you find a free moment, and once an ebook is written, it can make you money indefinitely.
The ideal side hustle for someone as busy as you is one where you can set your own hours and be your own boss. Fortunately, with your expertise, there are lots of options, from creating courses to making health trackers to offering one-on-one health coaching sessions.
Start your side hustle with Whop
Finding your ideal side hustle is just one piece of the puzzle—the next step is to find a platform that can help you make it the least time-consuming gig in the universe. You're in luck—Whop is exactly that platform.
With Whop, everything is made simpler and quicker. Signing up takes a few minutes, and once you've made your own whop, you can pick from a selection of pre-made apps (aka features) that make it much easier for you to get your products and services out there.
First, you create your whop, aka your online space. Then, you select the apps (features) that you want to use. You can use the Chat app to talk to patients, the Events app and Video app to set up health coaching sessions or CPR lessons, and the Files app upload files like ebooks and planners. Then you simply create paid products and link apps to that product.
The best part? Whop takes care of the background details so you can focus on your business. You don't have to worry about sending people emails or making sure they have access—Whop takes care of that. When someone buys a product, Whop delivers it. You can instead spend your valuable time scaling your side business or relaxing after a long shift.
You already work hard enough on a daily basis. Pick a side gig that works for you, not one where you have to work for someone else.
