Nursing has always been a vital profession rooted in compassion, clinical expertise, and the ability to care under pressure. But in the wake of overpacked schedules, declining earning power relative to inflation, and chronic burnout, more nurses than ever are exploring alternative careers.
Nurses’ clinical experience translates into dozens of alternative nursing jobs that use the same skill set but offer better work-life balance, flexible schedules, improved pay, and more autonomy. The nursing career landscape is expanding beyond hospitals, clinics, and bedside nursing, giving registered nurses the freedom to apply their education and experience in new and meaningful ways.
This article explores why nurses pursue alternative jobs, what drives their decision to leave the clinic, and 11 of the most in-demand nurse alternative careers projected to grow in 2026 and beyond.
Why do nurses seek alternative careers?
Since 2022, over 138,000 nurses in the U.S. have left the workforce, and according to one study, nearly 40% plan to leave or retire within five years, primarily due to burnout and stress. By 2027, about one-fifth of RNs nationally are projected to exit healthcare. Turnover is high, with nearly 20% of all RNs leaving their organizations within a year.
Most nurses begin their nursing career in traditional bedside roles. These roles primarily include medical-surgical nursing, critical care, emergency care, pediatrics, labor and delivery, and surgical services. The majority of nursing roles require constant patient monitoring, medication administration, coordination with physicians, handling emergencies, educating families, and managing complex clinical situations. At its core, nursing is about patient care, critical thinking, and the practical application of science in nursing to real-world health problems.
Many nurses, especially new registered nurses (RNs) who enter the field after completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or nursing degree, see the bedside as their first exposure to the realities of the healthcare system. But as they progress, many begin to explore non-clinic jobs; not because they dislike nursing, but because the structure of bedside roles continues to grow in complexity and expectations with little to no increase in pay or benefits.
A general nurse from the UK resonates, “I think nursing is a good career, but unfortunately, we are not paid well enough in the UK. Nurses need to think of financial security for their future.”
Even nurses in nursing homes, outpatient clinics, public health nursing, and home-health settings express similar frustrations. The rise of non-traditional nursing jobs, non-bedside nursing jobs, and adjacent nursing jobs reflects how wide the nursing field has become.
High burnout and moral injury
According to a recent study in JAMA, burnout affects more than 60% of nurses, many experiencing emotional exhaustion and increased workload from constant understaffing, complex patient cases, and punitive management styles.
One specialist nurse shares in Sermo’s nurse-only community, “My burnout is from management. I love nursing. Management sucks the joy out of it. They constantly add more and more tasks and responsibilities to our plates. Yet they are nowhere to be found when the unit is drowning. They make unrealistic demands and changes, and when you give logical feedback, they don’t understand because they don’t work on the unit.”
Even the best doctors face similar challenges and may consider alternative career options. With an average of 1 in 5 nurses leaving their health organization each year, combined with chronic understaffing, the healthcare system as a whole is at risk of collapse. A general nurse explains, “I think mine is burnout and also dissatisfaction more due to poor career aspiration and growth. I try to manage the burnout, but the daily stress scares me.”
Physical and scheduling demands
The physical strain of lifting patients, administering medications, standing for long shifts, and responding to emergencies leads many nurses to burnout. Scheduling challenges, such as long night shifts, weekends, holidays, and unpredictable rotations, also make long-term retention difficult.
Monetizing undervalued skills
Bedside nurses perform triage, rapid assessment, documentation, and patient education. These skills can be incredibly valuable beyond traditional bedside nursing roles. Many RNs are discovering alternative paths like becoming a legal nurse consultant, informatics nurse, public health nurse, or transitioning into leadership roles.
One surgical nurse shares, “Personally, I’ve always wanted to progress toward the innovation side of nursing. However, in my country, there’s still very little being done to promote nursing innovation or provide funding for professional growth. Many of us work paycheck to paycheck, and that financial strain makes it difficult to pursue higher education or creative projects. This lack of opportunity has pushed many skilled nurses to seek greener pastures in countries where career advancement is more achievable.”
Desire for autonomy
Nurses increasingly desire predictable hours, remote roles, and work-life balance. They want careers where their expertise is respected, and their schedules are manageable.
A general nurse writes in Sermo’s community, “I honestly love my profession and want to make a good living from it, but sadly, we are paid to survive, not to live the life.”
Another nurse adds a personal story about passion versus profession: “I met someone who works as a nurse but is also into fashion. She gets contracts to make scrubs for students and some hospital staff. The money she makes in her fashion business pays her more than what she earns as a nurse. But when I asked, “Why do you still practice nursing if you earn less from it?” She said nursing is her calling while fashion is her passion.”
11 Non-bedside career paths for nurses
Below are some of the most in-demand nurse alternative careers that allow nurses to use their clinical expertise beyond bedside responsibilities. Many of these roles are popular among RNs seeking stable patient care environments and non-clinical roles, home health nurses wanting flexibility, and public health nurses transitioning into system-level work.
As one general nurse shares on Sermo, “I have worked in several roles in my nursing career, starting as a neuro/ortho/trauma nurse, moved to the float pool, worked on a LTC/Rehab/Hospice unit, worked as a Primary Care nurse, was a Pandemic Clinical Coordinator during COVID, and now given life circumstances, work as a consultant for a large company from home. Nursing is a dynamic field, and there are so many options out there for us!” Another specialist nurse adds, “The field of informatics is especially booming with all the AI advancements.”
These alternative paths are ideal for nurses seeking roles that share similarities with traditional nursing, careers outside of direct hospital care, or derivative occupations utilizing their nursing expertise. Nurses exploring travel-based roles may also benefit from understanding how their physician colleagues use flexible staffing models, such as Locum Tenens roles.
Clinical research
Clinical research nurses support trials that develop new treatments and medications. They manage patient recruitment, documentation, and protocol safety. Their nursing degree equips them to understand patient care, clinical outcomes, and safety monitoring. It is one of the top alternative careers in nursing for RNs who want predictable schedules and minimal direct patient care.
Median Salary: $100,890
Salary Range: $61,810-$168,020
Forensic nurse
A forensic nurse works at the intersection of healthcare and criminal justice. They collect legal evidence, support trauma survivors, and collaborate with law enforcement. This path requires strong clinical skills and emotional resilience.
Many registered nurses transition to forensic nursing after gaining experience in emergency or critical care settings. It is also listed among the top alternative occupations for nurses.
Median Salary: $64,940
Salary Range: $41,410-$107,490
Infection prevention and control nurse
Infection control nurses promote safe practices, reduce infections, and train hospital and clinic staff. Infection control nurses rely on strong patient care knowledge and clinical judgement.
This role is ideal for nurses who want to step away from bedside nursing and focus on hospital-wide safety, public health initiatives, and quality improvement. Since the COVID pandemic, these roles are increasingly in demand.
Median Salary: $77,580
Salary Range: $49,550-$128,040
Insurance nurse auditor
Insurance auditors review claims and documentation for accuracy. Nurses’ clinical background can help them determine whether patient care was billed correctly.
Many RNs choose this role when they want alternative careers to nursing that offer remote work and consistent hours. It is one of the most sought-after jobs, similar to nursing but not clinically demanding.
Median Salary: $68,617
Salary Range: $50,440-$137,280
Pharmaceutical sales representative
Nurses excel in pharmaceutical sales roles due to their clinical understanding of medications and patient outcomes. Their patient education experience makes them strong communicators.
This is a popular alternative career for nurses seeking high-paying, non-clinical roles in the healthcare industry. Many BSN graduates pursue it after gaining clinical experience.
Median Salary: $73,080
Salary Range: $37,240-$133,010
Nurse administrator
Nurse administrators lead teams, oversee budgets, and manage healthcare operations. They guide clinic staff and collaborate with leadership to maintain patient care quality.
This path is suited for RNs who want leadership roles and are completing a Bachelor of Science degree or pursuing healthcare administration programs. It is one of the strongest alternative careers for nurses seeking long-term growth.
Average Salary: $110,680
Salary Range: $67,900-$216,750
Nurse recruiter
Nurse recruiters evaluate nursing talent and support staffing for hospitals and agencies. Their clinical experience helps them assess skills readiness and understand the complex dynamics of healthcare workplaces.
RN recruiters often work in corporate offices or remotely, making it an attractive option for nurses wanting non-bedside nursing roles with predictable hours.
Average Salary: $86,530
Salary Range: $49,440-$144,100
Virtual nurse
Virtual nurses provide tele-triage, remote monitoring, and patient support from home. Their clinical background enables them to guide patients safely and provide appropriate recommendations to common patient questions.
This is one of the fastest-growing nursing jobs due to rapid telehealth expansion. RNs and BSN graduates find it ideal for maintaining patient care without hospital stress.
Median Salary: $67,300
Salary Range: $54,500-$117,999
Radiologic technologist
A career as a radiologic technologist offers nurses an alternative with more consistent hours and a focus on technology. While this is not a nursing role and extra training and licensure is necessary, many nurses find this transition from bedside care worthwhile for a better work-life balance.
It is also considered one of the popular jobs similar to nursing for those who enjoy clinical environments but want reduced physical strain.
Median Salary: $54,380
Estimated salary: $40,350-$79,790
Nurse educator
The role of a nurse educator involves teaching nursing students, developing curricula, and mentoring new clinicians. This career transition, which often follows time spent as a bedside Registered Nurse (RN), is a popular choice for nurses who discovered a passion for clinical teaching during their own nursing education.
Nurse educators help shape future generations of nurses, making it one of the most impactful nurse alternative careers. BSN and MSN degrees are common requirements.
Average Salary: $86,530
Salary Range: $49,440-$144,100
Nursing informatics specialist
The increasing integration of technology in healthcare, such as telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and AI-supported workflows, is driving exponential career growth for nurses with tech skills.
Informatics nurses improve workflows, optimize EHR systems, and support digital transformation. This field intersects technology, analytics, and clinical practice. For nurses interested in data, systems, and healthcare innovation, nursing informatics offers an ideal career shift.
Median Salary: $85,326
Salary Range: $68,000-$112.000
Nurse administrator: a rising alternative for nurses
A nurse administrator oversees operations, manages teams, ensures healthcare compliance, and guides the strategic direction of medical units. Clinically experienced nurses often move into administration after leading teams, serving on committees, or pursuing business leadership certifications.
This path attracts registered nurses who want to step out of bedside nursing while still influencing patient care quality, nursing programs, and team decision-making. Nurse administrators also collaborate closely with public health nurses, home health nurses, and nurse case managers to make system-wide improvements in healthcare delivery.
This role suits RNs with a strong clinical background, ready to apply their nursing science knowledge in organizational leadership. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or equivalent is typical for those advancing to senior administrative positions. This transition allows nurses to use their nursing school experience, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities in a non-clinical setting that still directly impacts patients.
One general nurse explains on Sermo, “MA Nursing often focuses on nursing education, leadership, clinical practice or research and nursing administration…” Another specialist nurse shares, “A bad back led me away from bedside and into leadership. It is not where I ever saw myself but it has been rewarding to grow a workplace with a culture that is desirable to work in”
Sermo paid medical surveys as a way to fund your future
Sermo helps nurses earn supplemental income through paid medical surveys. This extra income can support career transitions, certifications, advanced education, or leadership programs. Many nurses use Sermo to financially support their journey into alternative nursing jobs or non-bedside specialties. For registered nurses exploring alternative careers in nursing, Sermo is a bridge that helps them to budget for additional courses, nursing degree upgrades, bachelor’s programs, or specialized training for roles like legal nurse consultant, forensic nurse, informatics nurse, or nurse educator.
Because Sermo’s surveys focus on clinical experience, nurses can leverage their experience in patient care, administering medications, managing patients, and applying science in nursing to real-world situations. Joining the Sermo community is one of the easiest entry points for those seeking non-nursing careers for nurses or jobs similar to nursing but outside traditional hospital or nursing home roles. On Sermo, global RNs, BSN graduates, and public health nurses can get real-world advice from their peers on transitioning into flexible, remote, or administrative roles.
Moving on from typical clinic work doesn’t mean you’re abandoning nursing. It is a strategic and necessary pivot for nurses who desire long-term emotional well-being and professional sustainability. Clinical expertise is valuable across research, administration, education, technology, public health, and corporate sectors. Whether you started as an RN, earned a BSN, worked in public health, or studied science in nursing, your skills are in high demand across the healthcare ecosystem.
Use your valuable experience to explore broader opportunities, expand your impact, and build a career that supports your life. Join Sermo’s nurse community to get advice from certified nurses, access career resources, and earn supplemental income as you grow into the next phase of your career.
