Nursing Opportunities Outside the Hospital

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About 31% of all registered nurses in the United States work in a hospital setting. But, there are a wide variety of nursing opportunities outside the hospital setting as well. 

When most people think about what nurses do, they picture the typical staff nurse rounding on patients in a hospital unit. This article will introduce you to some jobs you may have never considered or even heard of, including:

• Assisted living nurse
• Camp nurse
• Corrections nurse
• Critical care transport nurse
• Cruise ship nurse
• Dialysis nurse
• Home health nurse
• Hospice nurse
• Legal nurse consultant
• Life insurance nurse reviewer
• Nurse case manager
• Nurse educator
• Nurse/Medical writer
• Occupational health and safety nurse
• Pharmaceutical nurse
• Public health nurse
• Rehabilitation nurse
• Risk management nurse
• School nurse
• Telephone triage nurse

Assisted Living Nurse

Nurses in assisted living facilities are responsible for the overall wellness of their patients. They work with vibrant elderly clients who may need some help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and using the toilet. They may also provide medication instructions, wound care, and other treatments.

You must be able to build strong relationships with assisted living residents to provide the best possible care. As an assisted living nurse, you’ll have a lot of interaction with your clients every day. You must also be able to multitask and manage your time efficiently, as you’ll have to manage the care for many people.

Camp Nurse

Do you love the outdoors? Spend your summers working as a camp nurse! Camp nurses are responsible for the health and safety of campers, visitors, and staff. They provide first aid and basic emergency care for situations that might happen during the camp season. Camp nurses may also care for children with chronic conditions, depending on the camp setting.

As a camp nurse, you’ll need to be self-sufficient and comfortable working independently. You’ll often be the only medical professional on site. You’ll also need a strong understanding of child development and the physical and psychological needs of children of all ages.

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Corrections nurse

Corrections Nurses work in the criminal justice system and provide nursing care to inmates in prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers. Their work focuses on the health and well-being of individual patients, but they may also manage infection control and disease prevention for their facility.

Given the high-stress environment and limited resources, you’ll need strong critical thinking skills and the ability to manage difficult situations. You must also be able to build relationships with your patients, many of whom may have a history of trauma or abuse.

Critical care transport nurse

Critical care transport nurses provide advanced nursing care to critically ill and injured patients transported from one healthcare facility to another. While some critical care transport nurses may fall under the umbrella of a hospital organization, they often work as part of an ambulance or helicopter team.

Your primary duties as a critical care transport nurse will be to assess and manage the patient’s condition during transport. But, you may also have to assist other emergency personnel before transporting. For example, you may need to triage and stabilize many patients in dangerous, unpredictable conditions like fatal traffic accidents or disasters.

Critical care transport nurses must have a strong knowledge of advanced nursing concepts and be able to respond quickly and decisively in emergency situations. They often work long hours and must be able to handle stress effectively.

Cruise ship nurse

Nurses on cruise ships typically work in the ship’s medical center. They may be responsible for providing direct care to passengers and crew members. Cruise ship nurses have the opportunity to travel the world and see new places while working. 

Some of your duties as a cruise ship nurse might include providing first aid, assessing ill patients, and administering medication. Cruise ship nurses also participate in emergency drills and manage medical emergencies as they occur. 

While the job can take you away from your home, friends, and family for months, the opportunity to travel and see the world may outweigh any negatives.

Dialysis nurse

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) affects nearly 800,000 people in the United States, with 71% of those people needing regular dialysis to live.

As a dialysis nurse, you’ll be responsible for providing care to patients with chronic kidney failure. This includes managing their treatments, monitoring their condition, and providing support and education to patients and their families. 

In addition to direct care during treatments, the nurse is responsible for administrative tasks to keep the dialysis clinic running. This might include coordinating patient schedules, ordering supplies, and supervising technicians.

Home health nurse

As a home health nurse, you’ll provide care and support to patients who are recovering from illness or injury in the comfort of their own homes. You’ll work with other healthcare professionals to develop individualized care plans and ensure that each patient receives the quality of care they need. 

Working as a home health nurse requires excellent communication and organizational skills and the ability to think on your feet. You must be able to adapt to different home environments and socioeconomic situations, handling many new challenges as they arise.

Home health nursing can be demanding, but the reward is that you’ll help patients to regain their independence and improve their quality of life.

Hospice nurse

Hospice nurses provide care for terminally ill patients and their families. They focus on managing symptoms and providing comfort rather than curing the underlying disease. Hospice nurses typically work in patients’ homes, but may also work in nursing homes or hospice facilities.

In addition to providing direct patient care, hospice nurses also serve as educators and advocates for patients and families. They often work closely with other hospice team members, including social workers and chaplains.

Hospice nurses need excellent communication skills, as they often deal with sensitive issues such as death and dying. They must also effectively manage their patient’s physical and emotional needs.

Legal nurse consultant

As a nurse, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be extremely valuable to attorneys in cases related to medical care. Legal nurse consultants (LNCs) work with lawyers to provide expert analysis of medical evidence, review medical records, and give testimony in court. 

Legal nurse consultants may also develop case strategies, conduct research, and identify potential witnesses. To be successful in this field, LNCs must have strong analytical skills and be able to think critically about complex medical information.

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Life insurance nurse reviewer

Another exciting option for nurses looking for a change of pace is working as a life insurance company nurse reviewer. Nurse reviewers play a vital role in the insurance industry by reviewing medical and economic information. Nurse reviewers then analyze this information to determine coverage.

To be successful in this field, nurse reviewers must have excellent analytical, research, and chart review skills. They must also be able to communicate effectively with both customers and insurance company staff.

If you are interested in using your nursing skills to help people navigate the often-complex world of insurance, then working as a nurse reviewer could be the perfect career for you.

Nurse case manager

Many health insurance companies employ nurse case managers to coordinate care for patients with chronic or complex health needs. As a nurse case manager, you’ll work with patients and their families to ensure they get the services they need. You’ll also serve as a liaison between the patient and the healthcare team.

Nurse case managers may also work for non-profit healthcare clinics and other community organizations. Nurses in these types of roles function similarly to social workers, connecting clients with health and economic resources in the community.

Nurse educator

If you enjoy working with students or new nurses, and have a passion for lifelong learning, a career in nursing education could be the perfect fit for you. Nurse educators work in various settings, including colleges and universities, healthcare organizations, and medical equipment manufacturers.

Nurse educators in the academic setting typically teach undergraduate and graduate-level courses. They may also be involved in research or clinical practice. Nurse educators working for healthcare-related companies often teach continuing education courses or develop educational materials related to new equipment or treatments.

Nurse educators must have patience and strong teaching skills, whether working in academia or for a corporation. In addition to having substantial knowledge of nursing theory and practice, nurse educators must also be skilled in instructional methods and curriculum development.

Nurse/Medical writer

Medical writers produce a wide variety of content, including patient education materials, articles for medical journals, and marketing materials for pharmaceutical companies. As a nurse writer, you’ll use your wealth of clinical knowledge to provide accurate and reliable information about health and healthcare. Nurse writers work anywhere healthcare education is needed, including hospitals, government organizations, and medical equipment manufacturers.

To be successful in this field, nurses must have a strong writing background and excellent research and investigation skills. They must also comprehend complex medical information and explain it in a way that people without healthcare experience can understand.

Occupational health and safety nurse

Also known as employee health nurses, occupational health and safety nurses work to promote employees’ health and safety in different workplace settings. These nurses typically work for manufacturing companies but may also be employed by the government or any organization with large numbers of employees.

Occupational health and safety nurses are responsible for conducting employee health screenings, developing health and safety programs, and investigating work-related injuries and illnesses. They must effectively communicate with employees, managers, and health and safety officials.

Pharmaceutical nurse

Insurance companies and some specialty pharmacies employ Pharmacy Nurses to educate patients about their medications and help them manage their condition. As a pharmacy nurse, you’ll work with patients to ensure they understand how to take their medications correctly, how to recognize side effects, and when to call for help. You may also be responsible for coordinating care between the patient’s primary care provider, specialists, and the pharmacy.

Pharmaceutical nurses need a strong understanding of medication management. They must be familiar with various drugs used to treat chronic and acute conditions. They must also be able to effectively teach patients about complex medication topics and assess whether the patient is competent to administer their medications.

Public health nurse

Public health nurses are community health specialists who work to promote and protect the health of populations. Public health nurses typically work for health departments and government agencies. They may be involved in activities such as developing health education materials, conducting outreach, and providing direct care.

To be successful in this field, these nurses must be familiar with public health principles and practices and be able to apply them to real-world situations effectively. Public health nurses often work in routine situations like inspection of health facilities but may also play a crucial role in public health disasters such as pandemics.

Rehabilitation nurse

As a rehabilitation nurse, you’ll help patients with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions regain their independence. You’ll work with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that may include exercise, diet, and psychosocial support to cope with the challenges of living with a disability.

In addition to working with patients, you’ll collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive coordinated and comprehensive care. If you are passionate about helping others heal and live their best lives, then a career as a rehabilitation nurse may be the perfect fit for you.

Risk management nurse

Risk management nurses are responsible for identifying, evaluating, and managing patient safety risks in healthcare organizations. They typically work in hospitals but may also be employed by insurance companies, government agencies, or accrediting bodies.

Risk management nurses improve patient safety by conducting risk assessments, developing safety protocols, and investigating incidents. They must be able to collaborate with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that everyone is aware of potential risks and knows how to prevent them.

If you’re interested in a career that allows you to help make the healthcare system safer and better for everyone involved, then working as a risk management nurse may be the perfect fit for you.

School nurse

School nurses play a critical role in the health and well-being of students. They assess sick and injured students, conduct health screenings, and promote wellness initiatives. School nurses may also be responsible for the direct care of children with special needs, such as those requiring tube feeding or tracheostomy care.

To succeed in this role, school nurses must manage a wide range of tasks, have strong communication skills, and work effectively with teachers and parents. In addition, they must have strong knowledge of child development and be familiar with the unique health needs of children.

Telephone triage nurse

As a telephone triage nurse, you’ll play an essential role in providing patient care over the phone. You will often be the first point of contact for patients experiencing health concerns. In many cases, you will be able to provide guidance and advice that can help resolve the issue without needing a clinic or hospital visit.

Telephone triage nurses must be able to quickly assess symptoms and make recommendations based on best practices. This requires excellent patient interviewing skills and a thorough knowledge of evidence-based care. Telephone triage nurses may work for physician offices, insurance companies, and other healthcare organizations.

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Questions from the Incredible Health Nurse Community

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Final thoughts on non-hospital nursing jobs

If you’re interested in a nursing career but don’t want to work in a hospital, there are many paths to choose from. Every type of nursing role has its unique set of responsibilities and challenges. Still, they all offer the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

To learn more about other exciting nursing opportunities, check out our blog post: 11 Alternatives to Bedside Nursing.