2nd Careers For Nurses

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of nursing is a hospital, but there are many other great jobs in the medical field that are available. If you’re already a nurse, you know how rewarding it can be to help people get back on their feet and regain their health. But if you’re not sure about becoming a nurse, or if you’ve already had enough of working in hospitals, there are several other options for second careers for nurses.

Teaching

If you love working with children and enjoy sharing your knowledge with others, becoming a teacher might be the best option for you. There are many different types of teaching positions available, such as kindergarten through high school level teachers or college instructors who teach subjects such as biology or chemistry.

Social Worker

If helping people is what drives you every day then becoming a social worker could be one of your best options. Social workers work with individuals and families who need assistance with mental health issues or substance abuse problems in order to provide them with support so they can live healthy lives. Social workers usually have advanced degrees which makes them qualified to provide these services but they may also have experience working in another field before entering this career path.

2nd Careers For Nurses

What Can You Do With a Nursing Degree Besides Nursing?

Professionals with training and experience in nursing can find fulfilling work in a variety of related career paths. In this section, we provide brief overviews of the essential details of each potential new career track, including education requirements, applicable skills, and salary information. We consider jobs located in several industries, such as health and nutrition, social work, public health, education, research, and counseling.

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

These professionals typically need a postsecondary certification or an associate degree to find entry-level jobs in the field. Professionals who apply for these jobs may need to acquire a certification for consideration, such as the Registered Health Information Technician or Certified Tumor Registrar.

Those with nursing training in these roles put to use their knowledge of medical terminology, health data requirements, and hospital and clinic coding and classification systems. These professionals also need strong communication and interpersonal skills commonly found among nurses who work directly with patients in a hospital or clinical setting. Alternative job titles for this role include medical information clerks.

Salary: $40,350

Pharmaceutical Sales

Professional pharmaceutical sales representatives communicate directly with doctors and other healthcare specialists who prescribe medications to introduce new pharmaceutical products to the market. Sales representatives with nursing experience understand the necessary medical terminology and communication standards for hospital and clinical settings.

These professionals typically possess a working knowledge of pharmacology, common side effects, and relevant histories of the pharmaceutical products they sell. Educational requirements for these roles vary based on the products and employers. Many roles in this area require applicants to hold at least a bachelor’s degree.

Salary: $63,000

Nutritionist

Nutrition is also a popular field for nurses who change careers. These professionals often work directly with clients, similar to many nurses with their patients. They provide health assessments, nutritional counseling, and personalized meal plans. Nurses are often familiar with the work environment for nutritionists, as about 30% of these professionals work in hospital settings.

Nutritionists often need at least a bachelor’s degree and some supervised training or an internship to qualify for entry-level positions. Most states also require nutritionists and dieticians to hold licensure. In these cases, it is a violation of state law to practice dietetics without the proper licensure.

Salary: $61,270

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Health Educator

Also known as community health workers, health educator positions often suit the needs of trained medical professionals looking for non-bedside nursing jobs . Health educators usually teach individuals and communities how to live healthy lifestyles. Professionals in these roles typically possess at least an associate or bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions.

Some employers may require job applicants to possess the certified health education specialist credential, depending on the role. The majority of these professionals work in positions associated with the government, individual and family services, or hospitals.

Salary: $46,910

Administrative Services Manager

Some popular alternatives to nursing jobs include administrative services roles. Managers in these positions are organized leaders who can delegate responsibilities, understand workflow and business operations, and supervise personnel. Professionals with training in nursing often find work as administrative services managers in healthcare and social assistance facilities or educational services.

Administrative service managers’ responsibilities vary and relate to their areas of expertise and industry. Entry-level careers in this field typically require a bachelor’s degree and related work experience.

Salary: $96,940

Medical and Health Service Managers

Alternative careers for nurses also include roles as medical and health service managers. Sometimes referred to as healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, nurses use their knowledge of healthcare services, health laws and regulations, patient fees and billing, and medical budgeting to carry out these supervisory roles.

Approximately 33% of these professionals work in hospitals and clinics. Most medical and health service managers need at least a bachelor’s degree, although degree and experience requirements may vary among facilities.

Salary: $100,980

Clinical Social Worker

Clinical social work often serves as an excellent alternative career for nurses. Social workers interact with patients and clients directly. These professionals usually diagnose and treat mental illnesses, emotional problems, and behavioral issues. In this capacity, nurses can put their medical knowledge to use in clinical social work settings. Clinical social workers need a master’s degree, two years of experience in a supervised setting, and state licensure to practice.

Salary: $50,470

Speech-Language Pathologist

Nurses often enjoy working as speech-language pathologists because of the close interaction with clients. They diagnose and treat children and adults suffering from various speech production issues, such as those caused by brain injuries, stroke, hearing loss, and autism. Professionals in this field typically need a master’s degree for entry-level careers. Applicants for the appropriate master’s programs may come from outside fields, such as nursing. Most states also require licensure to practice, although requirements vary among locations.

Salary: $79,120

Physical Therapist

One of the most common career changes for nurses is a move into physical therapy. These professionals develop ways to help ill or injured people improve physical mobility and manage their pain levels. Nurses do well in this profession, especially since physical therapists often work in clinics, hospitals, and private offices. Physical therapists usually need a doctor of physical therapy degree to practice in addition to the appropriate licensure. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a bright outlook for careers in this area, with an expected 22% growth from 2018-28.

Salary: $89,440

Medical Scientists

Alternative nursing jobs away from the bedside also include medical scientists. These professionals often possess a medical degree or a Ph.D. in biology or related hard science field. Nurses in this alternative career track engage in a variety of investigative and research-focused practices, including the study of diseases, drug potency and manufacturing, and new medical devices. Medical scientists typically work in research and development facilities, college and universities, or hospitals and clinics.

Salary: $88,790