25 Best Side Hustles for Nurses to Earn Extra Income

• Pros: Flexible scheduling, remote work, rapidly growing field
• Cons: Less personal, income can be variable
• Expected Earnings: Between $25 and $40 per hour. Exact earnings will depend on factors like experience, the employer, and specific services provided.

Telehealth support jobs are available in hospitals, telehealth companies, and health insurance organizations. Job boards like FlexJobs, Indeed, and LinkedIn are valuable resources for finding these positions.

• Pros: Personal impact on individuals’ health, flexible scheduling, growing demand for wellness services
• Cons: Certification may be required, building a client base takes time
• Expected Earnings: Between $20 and $100 per hour, depending on qualifications, the coaching platform or business model you choose, and the clientele you serve.

To become a health coach, obtaining certification from programs accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF) or similar organizations is a common path. These programs cover coaching fundamentals, how to build a client base, ethics, and business skills.

• Pros: Contributes to community safety, flexible scheduling, rewarding teaching experience
• Cons: Certification process required, variable demand depending on location
• Expected Earnings: Between $25 and $50 per hour. Earnings vary based on location, type of classes offered, and whether you’re affiliated with an organization or working independently.

CPR and BLS instructor positions can often be found through local community centers, hospitals, and health organizations. Professional networks, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions are also good places to offer your services.

Additionally, national organizations such as the American Heart Association and the Red Cross provide instructor training and certification pathways, as well as opportunities to connect with individuals seeking these essential skills.

• Pros: Flexible schedule, creative expression, contributes to public health education
• Cons: Inconsistent workload, building a client base may take time
• Expected Earnings: Earnings can vary widely, from $0.10 to $1 per word, depending on the publication and the complexity of the topic.

Start by creating a portfolio that showcases your writing skills and healthcare knowledge. Platforms like LinkedIn and Upwork can be valuable for finding freelance writing opportunities.

Networking with other health professionals and writers, attending relevant workshops or conferences, and pitching to health publications or websites can also help secure writing gigs.

• Pros: Work from home, flexible hours, steady demand
• Cons: Requires excellent listening and typing skills, may require initial certification
• Expected Earnings: Typically ranges from $10 to $20 per hour, depending on speed, accuracy, and complexity of the transcription work.

To begin a career in medical transcription, you might need to complete a certification program, although nurses often already possess the required medical knowledge.

Looking for opportunities can start with platforms like Indeed, FlexJobs, and specialized transcription services websites. Networking with healthcare providers who may require transcription services, such as small practices or independent physicians, can also be a fruitful approach.

• Pros: Flexible schedule, rewarding mentorship, leverages nursing knowledge
• Cons: May require adjustment to teaching techniques for different learning styles
• Expected Earnings: Earnings can range from $20 to $50 per hour, based on your experience, subject matter, and the tutoring platform used.

To start tutoring, consider signing up with online tutoring platforms that cater to nursing or medical students, such as Varsity Tutors or Wyzant.

Creating a profile on social media or educational forums can also help you connect with students looking for tutoring in nursing subjects.

Additionally, networking with nursing schools and student groups can provide direct access to students in need of extra support.

• Pros: Utilizes nursing expertise in a unique field, potential for high earnings, intellectually stimulating
• Cons: Requires specialized training and experience in legal processes, may have sporadic work availability
• Expected Earnings: Typically, legal nurse consultants earn between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on their experience, the complexity of cases, and their working arrangement.

Legal nurse consultant positions can be found through networking with law firms, attorneys, and professional legal nurse consultant associations.

Building a strong professional profile and gaining certifications related to legal consulting can also enhance job prospects.

• Pros: Direct impact on public health, work in a variety of settings, regular hours
• Cons: Can be repetitive, requires staying updated on vaccine protocols
• Expected Earnings: Immunization nurses can expect to earn between $25 to $35 per hour, depending on the employer and location.

To find opportunities as an immunization nurse, check with local health departments, schools, and healthcare facilities, especially during flu season and other major vaccination campaigns.

Additionally, joining professional nursing organizations and attending relevant conferences can provide networking opportunities and updates on the latest in vaccine research and protocols.

• Pros: Creative freedom, potential to reach a wide audience, flexibility in scheduling
• Cons: Building an audience can take time, income may initially be unpredictable
• Expected Earnings: Income varies widely and can start from minimal amounts to significant earnings through ads, sponsored content, and partnerships as your blog grows.

Starting a blog, especially with a focus on humor or parody, involves identifying your niche and understanding what engages your audience.

Platforms like WordPress make it easy to get started. Promoting your blog through social media and networking with other healthcare bloggers can help build your readership.

• Pros: Highly flexible scheduling, immediate earnings, simple entry requirements
• Cons: Wear and tear on your vehicle, variable income depending on demand and hours worked
• Expected Earnings: Earnings can vary widely but generally range from $15 to $25 per hour, influenced by factors like location, demand, and tips.

These opportunities are easily accessible through apps like Uber, DoorDash, and Instacart, making it easy to start.

The key to maximizing earnings is choosing the right times to work, such as during peak dining hours or special events, to take advantage of higher demand and potentially increased tips.

Related: DoorDash Review 2024: How It Works, Tips & Is It Worth It?

• Pros: Flexible work hours, emotional and physical health benefits from spending time with animals, easy to start
• Cons: Potential for unpredictable pet behavior, responsibility for the well-being of someone else’s pet
• Expected Earnings: Earnings vary, but pet sitters and dog walkers can typically make between $15 to $30 per visit or walk, with the possibility of earning more for overnight stays or multiple pet households.

Platforms like Rover and Wag make it easy to connect with pet owners in need of these services. Building a reputation through good reviews and referrals can lead to more consistent bookings.

Related: Rover Review 2024: Is Dog Sitting a Worthwhile (or Safe) Gig?

• Pros: Highly flexible scheduling, work from home, diverse and engaging tasks
• Cons: Learning curve for new software, potential challenges with time zone differences
• Expected Earnings: Earnings typically range from $15 to $30 per hour, influenced by skill level, experience, and task complexity.

To begin, consider a VA training course that teaches needed skills, pitching clients, and how to maximize earnings.

Then, create a profile on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr to begin pitching clients. Alternatively, interested individuals can start with one of several prominent virtual assistant companies that contract with businesses to get tasks done.

This side hustle not only offers relief from physically demanding jobs but also cultivates a versatile skill set that translates well to other side hustles such as social media management and influencership.

• Pros: Creative expression, potential for high earnings with specialized gigs, flexible hours
• Cons: Initial investment in equipment can be high, building a client base may take time
• Expected Earnings: Highly variable; event photographers can earn from $100 to $300 per hour, while stock photography earnings are more unpredictable and depend on sales.

Embarking on this journey requires a quality camera and mastery of photography basics. A strong digital portfolio, profiles on Upwork and the like, and strategic use of social media can help in attracting clients.

• Pros: High flexibility, scalable income potential, access to a global market
• Cons: Steep learning curve for e-commerce platforms, requires time to establish and market the store
• Expected Earnings: Varied significantly; some e-commerce sellers make a few hundred dollars a month, while others can generate thousands depending on the niche, demand, and marketing strategies.

Starting involves selecting the right platform—Etsy for crafts, Amazon for a wide range of products, or Shopify for creating a standalone online store.

Key to success is a deep understanding of your target market, effective use of SEO, and mastery of digital marketing.

This venture not only promises financial gains but also the satisfaction of building something from the ground up, making it an enticing option for those looking to expand their horizons beyond traditional employment.

• Pros: Creative fulfillment, direct customer interaction, potential for niche market success
• Cons: Time-intensive product creation, competition in popular categories, need for marketing skills
• Expected Earnings: Earnings vary widely based on product type, pricing, and platform, but dedicated sellers can make anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars a month.

To get started, platforms like Etsy and Artisans Cooperative are ideal for reaching customers seeking handmade items. Building a strong brand identity and engaging with your community on social media can also enhance your visibility and sales.

• Pros: Potential for high earnings, flexible use of assets, broadens rental market beyond traditional lodging
• Cons: Requires maintenance and customer service, risk of damage to property or items, market saturation in popular areas
• Expected Earnings: Earnings can vary significantly based on the asset being rented out, location, and demand. Hosts can make anything from a few hundred to several thousand dollars a month.

Getting started involves choosing the right platform for what you intend to rent out and understanding the terms and conditions, including insurance coverage and fees. Creating detailed listings with high-quality photos and clear descriptions will attract renters.

• Pros: Physical activity and time spent outdoors, immediate visual results of your work, opportunity for creative expression
• Cons: Seasonal demand depending on location, physically demanding, initial investment in equipment
• Expected Earnings: The earnings can vary widely, with rates typically ranging from $20 to $50 per hour, depending on the complexity of the services provided and local market rates.

To get started, you might begin by offering services to friends, family, or neighbors to build a portfolio and gain referrals. Investing in basic gardening tools and a reliable vehicle for transporting equipment is essential.

Marketing your services through local classifieds, social media, or a simple website can also help attract clients. This side hustle not only offers the satisfaction of beautifying outdoor spaces but also the physical benefits of regular outdoor work, making it ideal for those who prefer an active side job.

Related: 21 Low-Cost or Free Small Business Marketing Ideas

• Pros: Creative freedom, work from anywhere, vast range of projects and clients
• Cons: Irregular workflow and income, self-promotion and client acquisition can be challenging
• Expected Earnings: Earnings vary based on the type of content, expertise level, and client budget, but freelancers can typically charge anywhere from $50 to $500 per piece or project.

To start, creating a strong portfolio that showcases your best work is essential. Platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr offer a marketplace to find freelance gigs, while personal networking and social media can also lead to opportunities. Success in freelance content creation depends on consistently delivering high-quality work, effectively managing client relationships, and staying updated on industry trends.

• Pros: Scalable income potential, creative and educational expression, flexible schedule
• Cons: Requires time to create high-quality content, initial audience building can be slow
• Expected Earnings: While variable, Bouchard’s story illustrates that creators can earn from a few thousand to several thousand dollars annually, based on the course’s niche, demand, and marketing.

Identify your niche and utilize platforms like Teachable or Udemy to create and sell your courses. This path not only promises financial gains but also the fulfillment of sharing your knowledge and helping others grow.

• Pros: Flexible work schedule, potential for high profit margins, promotes sustainability
• Cons: Requires initial investment for purchasing inventory, time needed for sourcing and selling items
• Expected Earnings: Earnings vary greatly depending on the items sold and the effort put into sourcing and marketing. Flippers can make anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars a month.

To start flipping, familiarize yourself with profitable niches and mastering the art of spotting underpriced items. A highly recommended resource is the Flea Market Flipper course (Flipper University), known across the web and on our site for its comprehensive guidance on turning flipping into a profitable side hustle.

The course covers everything from identifying valuable finds to effectively selling them on platforms like eBay and Etsy. By investing in this course, you’ll gain insider knowledge on market values, negotiation techniques, and the optimal timing for transactions, setting you up for success in the flipping world. We’ve known Rob and Melissa for nearly years — interviewed them here — and it’s the only course of its kind that we recommend.

_{[1] Registered nurses : Occupational outlook handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023a, November 27). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm}

_{[2] Top 80 nurse influencers in 2024. FeedSpot for Influencers. (2024, March 23). https://influencers.feedspot.com/nursing_instagram_influencers/}