While rewarding, a traditional Nurse Practitioner (NP) role may not always provide the financial flexibility or professional satisfaction many healthcare professionals seek. Enter side hustles—opportunites that don’t just provide extra cash, but professional growth and skill diversification.
Recent insights from Sermo’s community for APPs reveal fascinating trends. When surveyed about whether they currently have a side hustle, 30% of APPs responded yes, and 50% responded no – but that they wish they did. Among respondents who have side hustles, their methods for finding the gigs were varied, from social media to online platforms and professional networking.
Whether you’re looking to boost your income, develop new skills, or create long-term wealth, the right side hustle can complement your primary career while opening doors to unexpected opportunities.
Why nurse practitioners should get side hustles
Whether you’re more interested in boosting your income or your career trajectory, a side hustle can benefit you in several ways:
Earn extra income
The most immediate benefit of a side hustle is increased earning potential. Many nurse practitioners find their primary income doesn’t stretch as far as they’d like, especially when dealing with student loans, rising living costs or family expenses. Side hustles provide that crucial financial buffer, allowing you to increase your monthly income without the commitment of a second full-time position.
Survey data from Sermo community members indicates that earning extra income is the most common motivator for APPs pursuing side hustles, with 78% of participants responding as such. This additional revenue can fund everything from continuing education and professional development to family vacations and emergency savings.
Secure financial stability
Financial stability extends beyond just having more spending money, it’s about protecting you against economic uncertainty. Many healthcare professionals learned this lesson during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they experienced reduced hours, furloughs or job market instability.
A side hustle acts as an insurance policy against primary income disruption. When you have diversified income sources, you’re less vulnerable to economic downturns, healthcare industry changes, or unexpected job loss. This stability provides peace of mind that allows you to make career decisions based on passion and growth rather than pure financial necessity.
Increase potential for passive income
While most side hustles require active participation, some can evolve into passive income streams over time. Content creation, for example, might start as an active endeavor but can generate ongoing revenue through advertising, sponsorships or course sales long after you complete some initial foundation work.
Real estate investments, dividend stocks and peer-to-peer lending platforms can allow you to put your extra earnings to work generating returns with minimal ongoing effort.
Enhance professional skills
Side hustles often push you outside your clinical comfort zone, allowing you to build skills that make you more valuable in your primary role. Teaching positions enhance communication abilities, consulting work sharpens critical thinking and entrepreneurial ventures develop business acumen. Leadership, project management, marketing and financial literacy gained through side work can translate into advancement opportunities in your primary career.
Open up new career opportunities
What starts as a side hustle might become your primary career path. Many nurse practitioners have pivoted to healthcare consulting, medical writing or educational positions after discovering a passion through side work.
Side hustles provide a low-risk way to explore career alternatives while maintaining your current income. They allow you to try different industries, work environments and professional challenges without leaving your stable position.
Build a personal brand
Healthcare is increasingly recognizing the value of personal branding. Side hustles provide platforms to establish yourself as an expert in specific areas, whether that’s diabetes education, mental health advocacy, or healthcare technology.
Personal branding can lead to speaking engagements, consulting opportunities and recognition within your professional community. Your social media presence, published content and thought leadership can all play a part in your brand.
Network and grow professionally
Side hustles naturally expand your professional network beyond traditional healthcare circles. When you work with entrepreneurs, educators, technology professionals or real estate investors, you’re exposed to different perspectives and opportunities.
While the vast majority of surveyed APPs on Sermo indicated their main motivator to pursue a side hustle was financial, 7% indicated they were driven by professional growth. These expanded networks often lead to unexpected opportunities, partnerships, and career advancement that wouldn’t have been possible within the confines of traditional healthcare employment.
The best nurse practitioner side hustles
NPs have expertise in patient care and clinical decision-making that translates into various income-generating activities. Below are some of the top side hustles for NPs to consider:
Taking paid surveys on Sermo
One of the most accessible and flexible side hustles for nurse practitioners is participating in paid surveys through Sermo. As a healthcare professional, your insights are incredibly valuable to pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, healthcare organizations and research institutions seeking to understand clinical perspectives.
Sermo offers a variety of survey opportunities tailored specifically to healthcare professionals. These range from quick opinion polls that take a few minutes to more comprehensive research studies that are usually less than 30 minutes, but sometimes longer with commensurate compensation. Topics cover everything from drug efficacy and patient care protocols to healthcare technology adoption and industry trends.
The earning potential varies based on survey length and complexity, but many providers find they can generate hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year by completing surveys. You can complete surveys during lunch breaks, while commuting as a passenger or even during downtime at home.
Beyond the financial benefits, participating in Sermo surveys keeps you connected to broader healthcare trends and research. You’re contributing to studies that may influence drug development, policy decisions, or clinical practice guidelines while earning extra income. This combination of financial reward and professional contribution makes survey participation an ideal entry point for nurse practitioners new to side hustles.
Private tutor
Your knowledge in anatomy, physiology, or pathophysiology can aid you in tutoring nursing students, pre-med students or high school students studying advanced biology and chemistry. Your real-world clinical experience provides context that traditional academic tutors can’t offer. Students can benefit from understanding how classroom concepts apply in actual patient care situations.
Tutors’ rates can vary based on location, expertise and student level but the median hourly pay for tutors in 2024 was $19.27 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Online tutoring platforms have expanded the market significantly, allowing you to work with students globally and set your own schedule around your primary nursing responsibilities.
Assistant instructor or lab supervisor
Many nursing schools and healthcare programs actively seek practicing NPs to serve as assistant instructors or lab supervisors. Your current clinical experience brings invaluable real-world perspective to academic settings. Evening classes, weekend lab sessions, or online instruction can provide steady supplemental income.
The networking opportunities in academic settings may also lead to other opportunities like curriculum development, continuing education programs or consulting work.
IV infusion/hydration provider
The growing wellness industry has created opportunities for nurse practitioners to provide IV hydration and vitamin infusion services. These services are popular with athletes, busy professionals and other wellness-minded individuals.
Starting an IV hydration service requires initial investment in equipment and supplies, plus appropriate licensing and insurance. However, the profit margins can be substantial, as clients typically pay hundreds of dollars for one treatment.
Many NPs begin by partnering with existing wellness centers or medical spas before branching out independently. Mobile IV services that travel to clients’ homes are another option.
Per diem shifts
Per diem nursing work offers flexibility, and many healthcare facilities need NPs to cover shifts, especially in urgent care, emergency departments or specialty clinics. The median hourly rate for per diem nurse practitioners in the U.S. was $55 as of August 1, 2025, according to data collected by salary.com. Per diem work allows you to maintain your primary position while earning extra income on your days off.
Health coach
Your clinical background can inform a side hustle as a health coach, allowing you to help people achieve wellness goals through lifestyle modifications, chronic disease management or preventive care strategies.
You can meet clients in-person or virtually, with some coaches building entirely online practices. Certification programs are available to enhance your coaching credentials.
The income potential varies based on your approach. That said, the total pay for certified health coaches coming from the healthcare industry ranges from around $69,000 to $100,000 annually, based on 39 salaries submitted on Glassdoor. (Keep in mind, for some people, it may be their primary gig.)
Other opportunities
As an NP, you have even more options that are worth exploring:
Outdoor event medical team member: provide medical coverage at sporting events, concerts, and festivals. You can choose to cover events that work with your schedule.
RN or NP student mentor: formal and informal mentoring help develop the next generation of healthcare providers.
Legal nurse consultant: your clinical expertise is valuable in legal cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury or healthcare compliance.
Advice/telemed nurse: telehealth platforms increasingly seek experienced nurse practitioners to provide remote consultations, triage services or patient education.
Concierge medicine: provide personalized healthcare services to clients willing to pay premium prices for enhanced access and individualized care.
Medical device educator: medical device companies often need clinicians to train other healthcare providers on new technologies and equipment.
How NPs on Sermo approach side hustles
Insights from Sermo’s community reveal diverse viewpoints on side hustles. “I am currently looking for a side gig too,” one NP notes. “I actually went back to working at the bedside in ICU PRN. I would like something more flexible as I have to give up my only time off to do these shifts. I would like to find something remote.”
Another echoes the desire for remote opportunities. “Remote options would be great,” they wrote. “I considered doing medical writing, but that seems pretty niche and takes a big time commitment to get into. I’m actually considering doing the post masters FNP at this point so I have more flexibility. I’d love to be able to do telehealth.”
One professional highlights specialty limitations: “Urgent care will not hire unless you do a post master’s certificate in FNP,” they shared. “A lot of clinics are M-F and when you already work that schedule, there is very little open on the weekends to have a PRN job.”
Another was able to find success in a specialized area. “I work for an oncology research company on the side, doing data abstraction,” they share. “Yes it’s specialized, in that you need oncology background.. but I wonder if there are other similar companies looking for competent individuals to do this work. It’s not a bad gig, that I can do anywhere, on my own time. Have also heard of APPs doing legal work.”
Passive income and investment opportunities for nurse practitioners
If you want to reap ongoing benefits from some upfront work, these will be the best avenues to consider:
Content creation (video)
You can create videos to share your expertise while building passive income. Educational videos can generate ongoing revenue through platform monetization, sponsorships and affiliate marketing.
It will take time to develop a YouTube channel or grow your following on social media, but your content can generate income long after it’s published. Many healthcare professionals successfully combine their clinical knowledge with video creation skills to build an online audience and revenue stream.
Private equity real estate
Real estate investing through private equity funds allows nurse practitioners to participate in larger commercial real estate deals without the hands-on management required by direct property ownership. These investments typically require higher minimum investments but offer professional management and potentially higher returns.
Private equity real estate can provide diversification beyond traditional stock and bond portfolios while generating passive income through distributions. Many funds focus on specific property types like medical office buildings, multifamily housing or retail centers.
Due diligence is crucial when selecting private equity real estate investments. Research the fund’s track record, management team and investment strategy to ensure they align with your risk tolerance and financial goals.
Dividend stocks
Dividend-paying stocks provide regular income with the potential for capital appreciation. Focus on companies with consistent dividend payment histories to achieve a steady cash flow.
Healthcare REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), utility companies and consumer staples often provide reliable dividend payments. Building a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying stocks can create a growing income stream that requires minimal ongoing management.
Consider reinvesting dividends during your accumulation years to benefit from compound growth, then switching to cash distributions when you need the income for living expenses or other investments.
It’s essential to recognize that no investment is without risk. Ensure to educate yourself and speak to a trusted adviser before making any major financial decisions.
Rental properties
Real estate rental properties can provide steady monthly income and long-term appreciation potential. Nurse practitioners’ stable income and professional status often make them attractive candidates for investment property financing.
Property management companies can handle day-to-day operations if you prefer a more hands-off approach, though this reduces overall returns.
Peer-to-peer lending
Peer-to-peer lending platforms allow you to lend money directly to borrowers, earning interest on your loans. These platforms typically offer higher returns than traditional savings accounts or CDs, though with correspondingly higher risk.
Diversification across multiple small loans can help reduce your risk while maintaining attractive returns. Most platforms provide detailed borrower information and risk assessments to help guide lending decisions.
Crowdfunded real estate
Real estate crowdfunding platforms allow you to invest in commercial and residential properties with much lower minimum investments than traditional real estate investing requires. These platforms pool money from multiple investors to purchase properties or fund real estate development projects. Research platform track records, fee structures and investment focus areas before committing funds.
Maximizing your potential as a nurse practitioner
From flexible survey participation on platforms like Sermo to building passive income through content creation, a multitude of side hustles are available to you as an NP. Whether you’re looking to pay down student loans, save for a home or build retirement wealth, picking up extra work can accelerate your financial progress significantly.
For more insight, join Sermo’s collaborative community of over 1.5 million healthcare professionals who are not only sharing ideas and advancing medical knowledge but also discovering new income opportunities through paid surveys and professional networking. Our community can connect you with like-minded nurse practitioners who are successfully balancing additional income streams with their clinical careers.
Create your free Sermo account today and access paid survey opportunities and a supportive community of healthcare professionals who understand the unique challenges and opportunities in your field. Your insights can contribute to advancing healthcare while building the financial freedom you deserve.
