11 Alternatives to Bedside Nursing

Nurse Types / Alternatives to Bedside Nursing

Not all nurses wear scrubs.  According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 60 percent of nurses work in hospitals. However, the nursing field offers alternatives to bedside or hospital work.

Some people don’t enjoy bedside work. That’s okay! Also, many new nurses struggle to find traditional work within the field.

Not everyone wants to become the next ER or pediatric nurse. Fortunately, we’ve provided an overview of non-bedside nursing roles to help with that issue. 

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Occupational Health Nurse

These nurses work with businesses to make sure they are safe for employees. They look to solve health and safety hazards within the workplace. The duties include crisis care, risk reduction and case management.

Most employers hire professionals certified by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses.

According to ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for occupational health nurses is $73,876 per year. 

Academic Nurse Writer

This role gives nurses a chance to use their creative juices.

Writers often publish content for medical or hospital websites, patient information and brochures. Some writers publish in medical journals as well.

Employers look for nurses with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. That said, you don’t need a nursing license for this role. Writers can earn a Medical Writer Certified credential as well. 

Academic nurse writers tend to make between $40,000 to $80,000 annually.

Mental Health Nurse

The mental health field can benefit from empathetic and skilled workers. Mental health nurses work with psychologists and psychiatrists to help with diagnoses, treatment plans and tests. There is currently a shortage of mental health nurses as well. 

A master’s degree or doctorate, state licensure and specialized courses are required. However, by obtaining these credentials, you set yourself up to teach or perform research.

According to ZipRecruiter, a mental health nurse makes approximately $89,792 per year. 

Public Health Nurse

Some nurses prefer working with a more needy community. The public health nurse helps patients who don’t have proper resources. The job duties involve speaking on behalf of the community with the government to access more health services.

They also provide screenings and immunizations. Last, they share information about health care programs with the community. 

According to Indeed.com, the average public health nursing salary is $68,449. 

Legal Nurse Consultant

This role allows nurses to act as a liaison between the legal and medical professions. These professionals analyze and research malpractice claims and other healthcare-related issues for attorneys.

They also write up summaries of medical and health records. A legal nurse consultant can choose to work as a freelancer or at a law firm.

The position requires a nursing license and degree in nursing. Also, you must receive certification as a legal nurse consultant through a national organization.

Nurse Midwife

A nurse-midwife helps women throughout their pregnancy. These professionals work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to private practice. Nurse-midwives can also help doctors discover health risks to the mother and unborn child.

Given the nurse-midwives role, it is crucial to receive specialized education. You need an undergraduate degree in nursing, licensure and a master’s degree in nurse-midwifery.

Last, you will also need to receive a nurse-midwifery license.

The average nurse midwife salary in the United States is $112,955, according to Salary.com. 

School Nurse

For those drawn to working with kids, this role fits the bill. School nurses work with elementary all the way up to university students. The school nurse assesses the physical, mental, emotional and social health needs of students.

Their job duties include hearing and vision tests and assisting students who are sick or injured on campus.

To become a school nurse, you need to receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing and state licensure. Also, some jobs require certification through the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN).

The average school nurse salary is $51,787 per year, according to Salary.com. 

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

Nurses in this role can work as sales representatives or consultants for medical equipment manufacturing. Though manufacturing takes a lot of skill, nurses could make a difference in this field by providing their expertise. 

Eligible nurses must have an RN license and a bachelor’s degree at least.

Cruise Ship Nurse

Similar to a travel nurse, cruise ship nurses have an opportunity to see the world and do what they love.  This role requires nurses to provide care for guests and crew acting as first care responders, triage assistance along with patient treatment and assessment. 

Along with room and board, as a cruise ship nurse, you’re eligible for free medical coverage under maritime law.  According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for a cruise ship nurse in the United States is $76,283 a year. 

The only requirement for this position is a calm stomach and a bachelor’s degree. 

Certified Diabetes Educator

According to the American Diabetes Association, 10.5 percent of the population has diabetes. That’s a significant number. Accordingly, there’s a need for nurses knowledgeable about the condition to help these patients. 

The position aims to help people with diabetes manage their care independently. ZipRecruiter projects a median salary of $80,499 a year. 

You’re required to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and at least two years of experience before you can start this role. 

Research Nurse

Research nurses help improve medical treatments through their research and findings. They also can assist patients with studies performed by hospitals and medical facilities. The role helps the medical field move forward.

This position requires an undergraduate degree in nursing and state license.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, research nurses make on average 80,010 per year. 

Final Word on Alternatives to Bedside Nursing 

These positions provide people with nursing backgrounds an alternative to traditional nursing. Some positions require more specialization than others. Yet, the diversity within nursing can satisfy many types of nurses. 

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