19 Best Side Hustles for Nurses to Get Extra Income in 2025

Nursing is more than a profession; it’s a calling. It demands compassion, resilience, and a vast body of specialized knowledge. While incredibly rewarding, the demanding nature of nursing can also lead to burnout and a desire for professional flexibility and financial freedom. Whether you’re looking to pay off student loans, save for a down payment, or simply explore other passions, finding the right side hustle for nurses can be a game-changer.

Your clinical expertise and trusted status in the community put you in a unique position to succeed in a variety of supplemental roles. Many ways nurses can make extra money leverage the very skills you use every day — from patient assessment and education to meticulous documentation and care. The key is finding an opportunity that aligns with your interests, schedule, and financial goals.

This guide explores 19 of the best side hustles for nurses, ranging from roles that utilize your clinical background to creative and entrepreneurial ventures. We’ll dive into side hustles for nurses at home, flexible clinical work, and unique business ideas designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally.

Why Start a Nursing Side Hustle?

Before we explore the specific jobs, let’s consider the benefits. For many, the primary motivation is financial. A nursing side hustle can provide a significant income boost, helping you achieve financial milestones faster. But the advantages go beyond money:

Flexibility: Many side jobs offer control over your hours, allowing you to work around your existing nursing schedule.
Skill Diversification: Engaging in different types of work can broaden your skill set, making you a more well-rounded professional.
Reduced Burnout: Focusing on a different aspect of healthcare or a completely new field can be a refreshing change of pace from the high-stress environment of a hospital or clinic.
Entrepreneurial Experience: For those with a business mindset, a side hustle can be a low-risk way to test an idea before committing to it full-time.
Increased Professional Satisfaction: Helping people in new and different ways can reignite your passion for your career.

I. Clinical & Health-Focused Side Hustles for Nurses

These roles allow you to directly apply your nursing degree and clinical experience in different settings. They are often among the most lucrative and readily available side jobs for nurses.

1. Per Diem Nursing (PRN)

Working per diem, or “as needed,” is a classic choice for a reason. Hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-term care facilities frequently need to fill temporary staffing gaps. As a PRN nurse, you pick up shifts that fit your schedule, often at a higher hourly rate than staff nurses to compensate for the lack of benefits.

Why it’s a great fit: You’re already an expert in the field. There’s a minimal learning curve in terms of the core work, though you’ll need to adapt to different facility protocols.
Getting Started: You can sign up with your current employer’s PRN pool, join a nursing agency, or use apps that connect nurses with available shifts.
Potential Earnings: $40 – $100+ per hour, depending on specialty and location.

2. Telehealth Nursing

The demand for telehealth services has exploded, creating numerous side hustles for nurses at home. In this role, you provide nursing care, patient education, and triage services remotely via phone or video chat. It’s a perfect way to leverage your clinical judgment from the comfort of your home.

Why it’s a great fit: Offers ultimate flexibility and removes the physical strain of bedside nursing. It’s one of the top easy side jobs for nurses in terms of lifestyle convenience.
Getting Started: Search for “telehealth nurse” or “remote triage nurse” on major job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and specialized healthcare sites.
Potential Earnings: $25 – $45 per hour.

3. Medical Scribe

Physicians and other providers are often buried in administrative tasks. As a medical scribe, you assist them by charting patient encounters in real-time. Your understanding of medical terminology and clinical workflows makes you an ideal candidate. This can be done in person or remotely.

Why it’s a great fit: It sharpens your documentation skills and deepens your understanding of the diagnostic process.
Getting Started: Companies like ScribeAmerica and ProScribe actively recruit individuals with healthcare backgrounds.
Potential Earnings: $15 – $25 per hour.

4. Administering Vaccinations & Immunizations

Beyond the annual flu season, there is a consistent need for nurses to administer vaccines at corporate wellness events, community clinics, and pharmacies. These are typically short-term, flexible gigs that pay well.

Why it’s a great fit: This is a core nursing skill that is always in demand. The work is straightforward and the hours are often outside of a typical hospital shift.
Getting Started: Connect with event staffing agencies, large pharmacy chains (like CVS or Walgreens), or your local public health department.
Potential Earnings: $30 – $50 per hour.

5. Private Duty & Home Health Nurse

Provide one-on-one care to patients in their homes. This can range from post-operative care and wound management to long-term care for individuals with chronic illnesses. Home health offers a more autonomous and personal patient care experience.

Why it’s a great fit: Allows you to build strong relationships with patients and their families. It’s a deeply rewarding nursing side hustle.
Getting Started: Apply to home health agencies in your area. You can also find private clients through word-of-mouth or platforms like Care.com.
Potential Earnings: $35 – $70 per hour, with private duty often paying more.

Clinical Side Hustle	Average Hourly Rate	Flexibility	Setting
Per Diem (PRN) Nursing	$40 – $100+	High	Hospital, Clinic
Telehealth Nursing	$25 – $45	Very High	Home-Based
Vaccination Nurse	$30 – $50	High	Clinics, Corporate
Home Health Nurse	$35 – $70	Medium-High	Patient’s Home

II. Education & Content Creation Side Hustles

Your knowledge as a nurse is a valuable commodity. These side hustles involve teaching, writing, and creating content for various audiences.

6. Freelance Health Writer or Blogger

If you have a knack for writing, you can get paid to create content for health websites, medical companies, blogs, and publications. Topics can range from explaining complex medical conditions in simple terms to writing about nursing lifestyle and career advice.

Why it’s a great fit: This is one of the most flexible side hustles for nurses at home. You can write from anywhere, anytime. It positions you as an expert in your field.
Getting Started: Create a portfolio of writing samples. You can start your own blog or write for free on platforms like Medium. Then, pitch your services on freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, or reach out to health-focused brands directly.
Potential Earnings: $50 – $500+ per article, depending on length and complexity.

7. NCLEX Tutor or Clinical Instructor

Help the next generation of nurses succeed. You can offer private tutoring for students preparing for the NCLEX exam or work as a part-time clinical instructor for a local nursing school. Your real-world experience is invaluable to students.

Why it’s a great fit: It’s incredibly rewarding to mentor future colleagues. It also keeps your own knowledge sharp and up-to-date.
Getting Started: For tutoring, advertise your services on university job boards, social media, or tutoring websites. For a clinical instructor role, you’ll likely need a BSN (or MSN for some programs) and should contact the nursing departments of local colleges and universities.
Potential Earnings: $30 – $75 per hour for tutoring; adjunct instructor pay varies widely by institution.

8. CPR and First Aid Instructor

Become a certified instructor and teach life-saving skills to community groups, corporations, and healthcare professionals. Organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Red Cross have structured programs for certifying instructors.

Why it’s a great fit: This is an easy side job for nurses to step into as you’re already an expert in these procedures. You can set your own schedule and class prices.
Getting Started: Complete an instructor certification course with the AHA or Red Cross. Then, you can market your classes to local businesses, schools, and community centers.
Potential Earnings: $150 – $500+ per class, depending on the number of students.

9. Health and Wellness Coaching

Move beyond treating illness to promoting wellness. As a health coach, you can use your nursing background to help clients with nutrition, fitness, stress management, and chronic disease prevention. Many nurses choose to get a health coaching certification to bolster their credentials.

Why it’s a great fit: This side hustle for nurses allows you to focus on the positive, preventative side of health. You can build your own brand and business.
Getting Started: Consider a certification from a reputable program. Build a website and social media presence to attract clients. You can offer one-on-one coaching, group programs, or corporate wellness packages.
Potential Earnings: $50 – $200+ per hour, highly dependent on your marketing and client base.

10. Create and Sell an Online Course

Package your specialized knowledge into a digital course. Are you an expert in wound care, IV insertion, or pediatric nursing? Create a course for other nurses looking to upskill or for nursing students needing extra help.

Why it’s a great fit: This creates a source of passive income. You create the course once, and you can sell it over and over again.
Getting Started: Choose a niche topic. Outline your course content (videos, PDFs, quizzes). Use platforms like Teachable, Kajabi, or Udemy to build and host your course.
Potential Earnings: Highly variable. You could earn a few hundred to thousands of dollars per month, depending on your marketing efforts and the demand for your topic.

III. Entrepreneurial & Business-Focused Side Hustles

For nurses with a business-savvy mind, these ventures offer the chance to build something of your own.

11. Start a Niche eCommerce Store

The nursing community is massive. You could start an online store selling products specifically for nurses, such as stylish compression socks, unique badge reels, comfortable scrubs, or self-care items for destressing after a long shift.

Why it’s a great fit: You intimately understand the needs and wants of your target market.
Getting Started: Use platforms like Shopify or Etsy. You can use a dropshipping model to avoid holding inventory, or you can source and create your own unique products.
Potential Earnings: Varies greatly, but successful niche stores can become a significant source of income.

12. Legal Nurse Consulting (LNC)

Legal nurse consultants bridge the gap between medicine and law. You would use your expertise to review medical records, interpret clinical data, and serve as an expert witness in legal cases, such as medical malpractice or personal injury lawsuits.

Why it’s a great fit: It’s a highly respected and intellectually stimulating field. This is one of the best side hustles for nurses with a sharp eye for detail.
Getting Started: While certification isn’t always required, programs from organizations like the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) can provide credibility and training. Network with local attorneys to find your first clients.
Potential Earnings: $65 – $200+ per hour.

13. Medical Transcription or Coding

While distinct roles, both involve handling medical records and can be done remotely. Transcription involves converting voice-recorded reports into text. Coding involves translating medical services into universal codes for billing.

Why it’s a great fit: Your familiarity with medical terminology gives you a significant advantage. These are excellent side jobs for nurses who prefer non-patient-facing work.
Getting Started: You may need additional certification, especially for medical coding (e.g., CPC). Many online programs are available.
Potential Earnings: $15 – $30 per hour.

14. Concierge Nursing Services

Offer premium, personalized nursing services to clients who want a higher level of care. This could include post-surgical home monitoring, patient advocacy during hospital stays, or accompanying clients to appointments to help them understand and manage their care.

Why it’s a great fit: This is a high-end service that allows you to provide comprehensive, unhurried care.
Getting Started: This requires strong business acumen. You’ll need to create a business plan, set your pricing, and market your exclusive services to an affluent clientele.
Potential Earnings: Can be very lucrative, often charged as a retainer or a daily/weekly rate, potentially earning thousands per client engagement.

IV. Low-Stress & Flexible Side Hustles

Sometimes you just need a break from the intensity of healthcare. These easy side jobs for nurses offer a way to make extra money without the clinical pressure.

15. Childcare or Eldercare

Your medical background makes you an exceptionally trustworthy caregiver. Parents of children with medical needs (like asthma or diabetes) or families of aging adults will pay a premium for a caregiver with nursing skills.

Why it’s a great fit: It’s a natural extension of your caring role, but in a lower-stress environment.
Getting Started: Platforms like Care.com or Sittercity allow you to create a profile highlighting your nursing credentials.
Potential Earnings: $20 – $40+ per hour.

16. Pet Sitting

If you love animals, pet sitting can be a fun and relaxing way to earn money. Many pet owners prefer to have a responsible individual stay in their home, especially for pets that require medication or have health issues.

Why it’s a great fit: Offers a complete mental break from human healthcare. Your reliability and experience with administering medication are huge selling points.
Getting Started: Use apps like Rover or Wag!, or advertise your services locally.
Potential Earnings: $30 – $75+ per night.

17. Medical and Health Surveys

Get paid for your expert opinion. Many market research companies and medical device manufacturers seek the input of healthcare professionals. You can participate in online surveys, phone interviews, or focus groups.

Why it’s a great fit: It’s one of the easiest ways nurses can make extra money from home. You can do it in your spare time with zero commitment.
Getting Started: Sign up on platforms like M3 Global Research, InCrowd, or Sermo.
Potential Earnings: $1 – $3 per short survey, or $50 – $200+ per hour for longer interviews.

18. Event First Aid

Provide on-site medical support for events like concerts, festivals, marathons, and local sporting events. You’ll be part of a team responsible for handling minor injuries and medical emergencies.

Why it’s a great fit: It’s an exciting environment and a change of pace from a traditional clinical setting.
Getting Started: Look for event medical staffing companies in your area.
Potential Earnings: $25 – $50 per hour.

19. IV Hydration and Wellness Nurse

IV hydration therapy is a growing trend, with clinics popping up in many cities. These businesses hire nurses to administer intravenous vitamin drips to clients seeking boosts in energy, immunity, or recovery from hangovers.

Why it’s a great fit: This is a low-stress clinical environment focused on wellness. Your IV skills are directly applicable.
Getting Started: Search for “IV hydration clinic” or “IV therapy” in your area and inquire about part-time or per diem positions. Some nurses even start their own mobile IV therapy business.
Potential Earnings: $35 – $60 per hour as an employee; significantly more if you own the business.

Side Hustle Category	Examples	Best For Nurses Who…
Education & Content	Freelance Writing, Tutoring	Enjoy teaching, writing, and working from home.
Entrepreneurial	Legal Nurse Consulting, eCommerce	Are business-minded and want to build their own brand.
Low-Stress & Flexible	Pet Sitting, Medical Surveys	Want a mental break from clinical work and easy extra cash.
Clinical & Health	PRN Nursing, Telehealth	Want to leverage their clinical skills in different settings.

How to Choose the Right Side Hustle for You

With so many options, how do you decide? Ask yourself these questions:

What is my primary goal? (e.g., maximum income, flexibility, skill development, passion project)
How much time can I realistically commit? Be honest about your energy levels after your primary job.
Do I want a patient-facing or non-patient-facing role? After a long week, you may prefer a job that doesn’t involve direct patient care.
What are the startup costs? Some hustles, like writing, have almost no startup cost, while others, like starting a business, require an investment.
Does this energize me or drain me? The best side hustle for nurses is one that adds to your life, not one that leads to more burnout.

Final Thoughts

As a nurse, you possess a powerful combination of skill, knowledge, and trust that opens doors to countless opportunities. Starting a nursing side hustle is more than just a way to earn extra income; it’s a path to greater career control, professional growth, and personal fulfillment.

Whether you choose to pick up extra clinical shifts, share your knowledge through teaching, or launch your own business, the perfect side job is out there. Start small, explore your interests, and find the venture that not only complements your finances but also enriches your life.