4 Ways Nurses Can Earn Extra Money

Nursing gives you a lot of specialties to move into, and most of them pay more than where you started. But specialty pay still falls short for some nurses. If you want to add income outside your regular shifts, here are four options that use skills you already have.

Medical Transcription

Transcription is a solid side job because it stays in your wheelhouse and needs almost no setup: a good computer and a reliable internet connection. Get certified first. Online courses let you fit the training around your shifts without traveling to a classroom.

Medical Coding

Coding also requires certification. The work centers on assigning medical codes so insurers can process claims correctly. Many nurses find it pays better than hospital overtime and lets them work from home, which is a large part of the appeal.

Health Writing

If you can write, freelance health writing is in steady demand. Healthcare companies and websites need accurate articles, and your clinical background is exactly what they want. You control the workload: take more clients or fewer depending on your schedule, and write across any topic you know well.

You can also start your own blog instead of writing for others. Cover health tips or practical advice for nurses, and earn through ads, affiliate programs, or sponsorships.

First Aid Instructor

Nurses already have the knowledge and skills to teach first aid. You will need to certify as an instructor first, through an organization like the Red Cross. Typical clients include school teachers, families caring for vulnerable relatives, and companies that require staff to be first aid trained. Nursing schools and community volunteer groups are worth contacting too.