Side Hustles For Nurses, What’s the Deal?
How many of you have been looking into side hustles for nurses? If you were anything like I was, it was weekly! You want to make more money, but you can’t FATHOM picking up extra hours at your current job (high hand raise right here)! Girl, listen. I know that feeling. I used to be that person who volunteered extra for time and a half plus $10. Then I found out they would occasionally do plus $15, so I got smart and started negotiating when they threw in the plus $10 and told them I’d say yes for the plus $15. Rule of thumb, EVERYTHING is negotiable! Here’s the deal, even with that extra pay, it still left me tired and exhausted. Nursing, especially floor nursing, is a HARD job. It’s laboring beyond what people truly understand and the emotional toll can totally hurt you. You have to set healthy boundaries and take care of you.
When I was working full time as a nurse, I could always use extra money, I just couldn’t work another shift in that hospital. It was simply too much. I started to get creative! Not only did these side nurse side hustles make me some decent money, but it opened opportunity for me to learn new skills, use my passions and talents to make some money WHILE engaging in a creative outlet, broke up the monotony of floor work, and it actually allowed me to do MORE with my license and enjoy my career! GET EXCITED because I’m about to drop the 6 best side hustles for nurses that YOU need to know about!
6 Side Hustles For Nurses
Download my FREE Side Hustles Guide Here!
1.Workforce/Wellness RN
This is a position I started 3 years into my career as a nurse. Many staffing agencies hire nurses to work their Flu Shot and Wellness Clinics. Every company I worked for has always paid a flat rate across the board. In my case, it was $25/hr. This was comparable to all of the other agencies out there. I get that that doesn’t seem like a lot of money to some, but the low stress and easy work you’re doing was totally worth it to me.
I’ve had some friends work with doctors offices during the flu season to do some PRN clinics and sometimes they pay more, but what I liked about working for the company I was with was that I could pick up whenever I wanted throughout the year.
It was very PRN but one of the best side hustles for nurses. I only did their wellness clinics and that consisted of doing basic finger sticks (checking cholesterol and blood sugar), blood pressures, height and weight, and BMI measurements. I traveled to different businesses throughout my city, and worked with a few other nurses at a 6 hour clinic. We educated the employees about their results (I really enjoyed this as a health coach) and gave them further instructions in regards to following up according to their numbers.
The wellness checks were about 15 minutes per person and I truly loved the interaction and education with each! Such a hidden gem to do on the side to make some extra cash. It was very flexible and PRN! Both Kaiser and Maxim Healthcare are two companies who I know hold these positions. They do Flu Shot Clinics too and are always in need during the Fall just FYI! I run a Holistic Nurse Side Hustles Group for Nurses & Post Unique & Low Stress Jobs daily. You can join here.
2. Health Coaching
Health Coaching is on of the BEST side hustles for Nurses. Why? Because Nurses are natural advocates! They have a passion for helping people and they want to see people get well. For all of you natural minded and healthy nurses out there, this is a very under-shared position in our profession and one of the BEST side hustles for nurses! Health Coaching is a certified position so there are some prerequisites before you jump into it. However, you can check out “The Best Health Coaching Certification For Nurses” blog. This is the Certification I have!
Health Coaching is a process of walking alongside people, setting goals, and helping them succeed in their health journey. Many insurance companies hire health coaches to do “over the phone” assessments and check-in’s. Some specifically look for Nurse Coaches. Its a fun nurse side hustle that allows you to walk alongside patients and clients in a unique way. You can also start your own little side business and start coaching friends, family, and their referrals for a smaller cost to start. When I started health coaching, I coached my friends and family $100 for the month. It got me some good experience and testimonies under my belt to move forward in my business.
Certified Health Coaches charge anywhere from $200-$2000 for their service depending on their experience, packages, and clientele. It can be a really fun and flexible nurse side hustle to start making a little extra income on top of your nursing pay! It also allows you to be able to take a different and more natural approach to care, which I LOVE!
Download my FREE Side Hustles Guide Here!
3. Direct Sales!
YUP! I said it! If you don’t care for this, just skip on down! For some of you, direct sales isn’t something you’re into and don’t want anything to do with, but the reality is that it really is one of the best side hustles for nurses! If you’re truly passionate about a product or company that you’re working with, I think it’s a great idea to become a brand ambassador for them! We have social media influencers sharing products that they love all day long and making an income with sponsored posts. Why not be an advocate of what you love too, and share that with your local network?!
I started working with this company 2 years ago. I’ve always been a supporter and advocate of natural wellness. I started teaching essential oil classes online during the week through facebook and I would teach locally on the weekends at a coffee shop! I’ve been able to generate over 90k in the past 2 years with my business! YES! I don’t shy away from money. It’s a beautiful energy that allows you to create the life & schedule freedom that matters most! You can download my FREE “Intro To Essential Oils” E-Course & Book here to learn why I love them so much!
Here’s my 2 cents. Don’t annoy your friends and pester people. Grow like a business should: provide value, serve your future customers, and give them a reason to need your product. This is the ONLY way I would suggest anyone go into this type of biz. The reality of it is, they are one of the best side hustles for nurses because of the flexibility, low start up cost, ability to grow online, and no legal startup, but again. Do it right. If you don’t want to grow a brand and learn how to attract people who WANT/NEED your product, then don’t do it! I’m serious! I’m a huge advocate of making that side hustle income, but I don’t believe in sacrificing yourself and relationships in the name of money. You CAN do these businesses the right way, so stick to that :).
Advice For Those Considering Direct Sales
• Research the company before taking someone else’s word for it.
• Make sure that if you join ANY direct sales company that you realize YOU ARE STARTING A BUSINESS! Many people join and quit quickly thereafter because they think it’s just going to happen magically! Be ready to grow, learn, get out of your comfort zone, and commit to the process of trial and error!
• Don’t flood your social media with annoying product posts and calls to action. EDUCATE your potential customers and give them value. Share with them about your product and SHOW them it’s value! People want to know why they need your product, not posts about how to buy! I teach How to Grow an Essential Oil Business on Instagram the RIGHT and EFFECTIVE way!
• Make sure the person you enrolled with has the resources and team to support you! Many people jump on with someone who really doesn’t know what they’re doing either OR, that person who enrolled you ins’t being led by someone who’s done well in the business. Be sure that if you join with any company or “team”, that they can support and train you well and have a history of success in your direct upline.
Interested in starting your own Wellness Biz? Check out my Business Coaching!
4. Etsy Shop
I LOVE Etsy! For those of you who have never heard of Etsy, this is a site where people who create handmade goods can sell their craft! This is a very good side hustle for nurses! Back in nursing school, I made ID Badge Holders and sold them to nurses all over the US! I used to create them on my off days and it was extremely therapeutic! I charged about $15 for each handmade badge! I made personalized ones and pre-made ones! It was such a fun creative outlet for me! The site is super easy to set up and very inexpensive to maintain!
If you are a soap maker, painter, poet, crocheter, jewelry maker, sewer, or anything of that sort and looking for a nurse side hustle, you can showcase your talents and work on Etsy and sell for profit! I seriously love this site and for all of you creative nurses out there, THIS is your sign to DO it!!!! Get that shop set up and start having fun! You NEVER know what it could turn into! I actually created a “200+ PDF Ideas for Nurses to sell on Etsy” Guide that you can snag!
5. Internal Staffing Agencies
This is one of the best side hustles for nurses that I’m seeing pop up at many hospitals, especially in big cities! They are creating these internal agencies and offering contracts just like a travel agency would. A lot of them have a flexible float pool that allows you to work PRN at premium pay! I’ve seen internal agencies paying $45-$60/hr as a PRN!! Is that not crazy? This job is mostly for experienced nurses (3-5 years) as they need to be able to send you almost anywhere, but each agency is different.
I work for an agency that is strictly out patient clinics. That means I never step foot on the floor (Praise JESUS)! They are super flexible with my schedule and I’ve been able to choose my assignments. There are other hospitals in town who adopted the same program. Hospitals do this to eliminate the middle man which means they don’t pay the travel agency. It cuts costs for them and increases PRN pay for qualified nurses within! This is a GREAT job to have to either do as a “3rd shift” for a part-timer or a “4th shift” for a full timer! Search around and ask your local hospitals! There are more opportunities than you think! Sometimes you can even make more money working part time, and picking up a PRN like this! You just have to be willing to look around and be flexible!
6. Blogging
This is a VERY fun side hustle for nurses who have a message they want to share! In the beginning, you won’t be making a lot of money (if any at all), as your focus is essentially providing valuable and engaging content. If your blog and message is received well, you will begin to grow a community of followers. It takes time. The more valuable your content and the more followers that your message attracts, the more opportunity you will have to make an income blogging with affiliate links!
It took me 4 years to monetize my blog! I did it in the beginning purely from my heart, not even a THOUGHT that I would make money. I truly believe that’s what’s led to its success and ability to make an income down the road. Blogging opens up opportunity not only to make affiliate income on your blog, but also to get yourself noticed, gain paid speaking engagements, the ability to work with nursing related industries, and paid guest blogging for other companies! Simply put, blogging opens up a lot of opportunity!
The key to successful blogging:
•Consistency- commenting to blogging weekly/bi-weekly
•Valuable Content- is your message relevant and/or unique
•Utilizing Social Media to Spread Your Message
Which Of These Nurse Side Hustles is For You?
These are my 6 Best Side hustles for Nurses! I hope this helps some of you! I know we all can always use some extra cash, but we don’t want to get burned out! I have found that for me personally, in order to survive this profession, I can’t do it full time! I’ve dipped my feet into many areas, and I’ve found what works well for me. I’ve also worked it out to where I’ve found what PAYS better! Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone to do what’s right for YOU and your family! We have to take care of ourselves! I personally have felt that all of these nurse side hustles have been life giving in different ways! They have allowed me to enjoy my career as a nurse and not become burned out! Finding balance in the career and life that you love is physical and emotional freedom!
Interested in launching a Wellness Side Hustle as a Nurse? Check out my Membership for Aspiring Wellprenuers!
HEART & HUSTLE
(This blog does contain affiliate links where I do make a small % of sales from any purchases made through my referral!)
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