Change In Career: 20 Non-Hospital Jobs For Nurses To Consider

As a child, I had always thought that nurses working in hospitals have the coolest uniforms in the world. I mean, who wouldn’t want to wear pleated skirts and a cap, right? Sadly, doctors came in second because they only wore robes. But growing up, I realized that the nursing attire is a hard-earned piece of clothing; you’ll never get it unless you’re determined to have it.

Before becoming a full-fledged nurse, you have to study for four years to get a nursing degree, then review for a licensure examination. Yes, time isn’t the only thing you invest, but you also need to be financially ready to cover all the necessities you need to get through everything. Once you become a registered nurse, you can work in a hospital and wear that beautiful white uniform with pride.

Are hospitals the only venue for nurses?

One of the best things about a nursing course is its flexibility; you learn different skills that you can apply in different working fields. In many cases, not all nurses want to work in hospitals; others even go out from their profession and pursue another career. And there’s nothing wrong with that. If you are a nurse, and you want to work outside hospitals, then you do have a lot of choices. Here are 20 non-hospitable jobs for nurses to consider:

1. Health Programs Nurse

This is one of the non-hospital jobs that nurses can consider. There’s no doubt that the development of health programs enables folks in the nursing profession to make a true difference in the entire world. These nurses improve outcomes of certain health programs and make sure that the costs aren’t too high.

2. Paramedic Nurse

Basically, these are nurses who are stationed in an ambulance. They provide emergency medical care to patients before arriving at the hospital. While this is not a traditional nursing role, it’s entirely possible to shift from a mainstream nursing job to become a paramedic nurse, though this comes with extra training. It’s a stressful job but also highly rewarding.

3. Health Visitor Nurse

The main focus of a health visitor nurse is to work with women and families with babies or children under 5 years old. He or she generally ensures that the development of infants, babies, and kids goes as expected.

4. Informatics Nurse

Informatics nurses utilize health information systems to not only communicate but also manage patient data. Their main goal is to assist developers to understand how clinicians use the new technology in the daily flow of work.

5. Telemedicine Nurse

Telemedicine nurses utilize computers and video to connect effectively with patients that live in remote locations. They also use technology to talk to patients with chronic conditions who need monitoring or those who are unable to come to the clinic.

6. Home Health Nurse

Home health nurses are handy in helping patients who have just returned home from a surgery, are terminally ill or disable, or are recovering from an injury or illness. They offer both long-term and short-term care. They can handle patient assessment, medical administration, and wound care, among other things.

7. Nurse Life-Care Planner

Nurse life-care planners are highly qualified to come up with a long-term care for patients who suffer from serious injuries or illnesses. They work with insurance companies, lawyers, doctors, or businesses  to arrive at decisions on the potential costs as well as needs of appropriate medical care.

8. Nurse Educator

Nurse educators work in universities and colleges to teach in classrooms and provide clinical knowledge to students of nursing. Moreover, they may work in outpatient and inpatient healthcare facilities as they educate and orient nursing aides and new nurses.

9. School Nurse

School nurses work with kids of different age groups, from early childhood to high school-aged. They administer care when necessary. Some of the tasks they handle include educating students on an array of health topics, treating minor injuries, and dispensing medication per the orders of a doctor.

10. Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses work in a state or county health department, or even in a correctional facility. A public health nurse can also work in a business to assist, monitor and control any safety or health issues. These professionals offer screening tests and administer immunizations.

11. NGO Nurse

Non-governmental organizations normally need help to improve the world on a personal level, working with those in poverty or who are suffering as a result of natural disasters or war. Undeniably, they offer rewarding career options.

12. Bioterrorism Research Nurse

This nurse is extensively knowledgeable in matters concerning the development and behaviour of pathogens.

13. Toxicology Nurse

Toxicology nurses have a deep understanding of poisons as well as their effects on humans.

14. Hazardous Waste Nurse

A hazardous waste nurse has an understanding of the devastating consequences of hazardous waste on the health of populations.

15. Environmental Health Nurse

An environmental health nurse understands how the behaviours of humans affect the planet. They also understand how the planet affects the health of humans.

16. Forensic Nurse

Forensic nurses are often needed to collect evidence after trauma from victims and/or perpetrators. They have an understanding of both law and medicine, and are able to identify wounds and document factors needed in court cases and beyond.

17. Vaccine Research Nurse

These nurses make sure that folks are immunized against different illnesses. They also review the effectiveness and possible side effects of vaccines in humans.

18. Federal Health Care Nurse

These nurses work in federal health care development programs in order to influence health outcomes for various populations.

19. Nurse Lobbyist

Nurse lobbyists speak to senators and congressional representatives with the hope of encouraging particular health care ideas to either receive funding, create legislation, or reform current laws.

20. Procurement Nurse

This is a nurse that handles the procurement of equipment for a medical facility. They offer their expertise to help facilities find the best equipment at a reasonable price.

Nursing is a vast field experiencing huge growth. Actually, according to predictions by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field will account for employment growth of 16 percent by 2024. This just shows the number of job opportunities for nurses out there!

Featured image courtesy of Unsplash.