For many nurses, the decision to step away from direct patient care comes after careful reflection on long-term goals, lifestyle needs, and professional interests. While nursing is a rewarding field, the physical demands, emotional intensity, and unpredictable schedules can prompt some to consider alternate jobs. On a more encouraging note, if you’re considering taking a break from the bedside, you’re not alone: according to OJIN, even nurses in the first two years of their career are leaving at rates as high as 33%.
The transition may seem challenging, but the skills nurses develop—critical thinking, communication, clinical expertise, and problem-solving—are highly transferable and valued across a wide range of roles. This guide highlights several non-bedside career options, outlining responsibilities, required education, salary expectations, and employment outlook to help you make an informed decision about your next step.
Below are six alternative careers for nurses that require similar education, training, and/or skills.
Six in-demand alternate jobs for nurses
1. Case manager
What they do: Case managers act as the bridge between patients, families, providers, and insurers. They ensure patients receive the right level of care without unnecessary costs or delays. This includes coordinating rehab, arranging home health visits, ensuring medication compliance, and managing transitions from hospital to home. They also advocate for patients who may struggle with access to resources, helping them connect with social services, mental health support, or financial aid.
Where they work:
- Hospitals and health systems
- Home health agencies
- Long-term care and rehab facilities
- Insurance companies (utilization review, claims management)
- Government or community health organizations
Education:
- Registered Nurse (RN) license required for most roles.
- Certification in Case Management (CCM) preferred.
Pay:
- Average salary: $70,000–$85,000/year (varies by state and employer).
Responsibilities:
- Develop individualized care plans.
- Communicate between patients, families, and providers.
- Ensure compliance with insurance and treatment guidelines.
- Track patient progress and adjust plans as needed.
Growth outlook:
- Growing: As care coordination becomes a major focus in value-based healthcare, demand is strong, especially in hospitals, insurance, and home health settings.
2. Clinical educator
What they do: Clinical educators prepare, mentor, and evaluate healthcare staff or students. They translate evidence-based practices into daily workflows and ensure clinicians are up to date with new procedures, technologies, and compliance requirements. Educators also help new hires transition into practice and often design continuing education modules, simulation labs, and professional development programs.
Where they work:
- Hospitals and healthcare systems (staff development departments)
- Nursing schools and universities
- Community colleges with healthcare programs
- Professional healthcare associations
- Private companies offering clinical training
Education:
- RN with a BSN required, MSN or higher preferred (especially in academic settings).
- Teaching or education certification may be needed.
Pay:
- Average salary: $75,000–$95,000/year; higher in academic or leadership positions.
Responsibilities:
- Develop training materials and workshops.
- Mentor new nurses and students.
- Implement continuing education programs.
- Evaluate staff competency and performance.
Growth outlook:
- High demand: With ongoing nursing shortages and turnover, hospitals and nursing schools are investing heavily in education roles.
Not sure if you’re ready to leave nursing behind?
Prolink can help. Maybe your work-life balance is suffering, or you’re looking to expand your horizons—whatever the case, our recruiters can help match you with the role that makes you fall in love with nursing again.
3. Clinical research coordinator (CRC)
What they do: CRCs manage the operational side of clinical trials, ensuring studies run smoothly and ethically. They recruit participants, obtain informed consent, schedule tests, and monitor patient safety during studies. They’re responsible for accurate data collection and regulatory compliance, working closely with principal investigators and sponsors. Their role is crucial in bringing new drugs, medical devices, and therapies to market.
Where they work:
- Academic medical centers and teaching hospitals
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
- Contract research organizations (CROs)
- Private research sites and clinics
- Government research institutions (e.g., NIH)
Education:
- RN helpful but not always required.
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing, life sciences, or related field.
- Certification in Clinical Research (e.g., ACRP, SOCRA) preferred.
Pay:
- Average salary: $60,000–$80,000/year; higher for senior or lead roles.
Responsibilities:
- Recruit and screen trial participants.
- Manage informed consent process.
- Collect, record, and monitor trial data.
- Liaise with principal investigators and sponsors.
Growth outlook:
- Strong growth: Clinical research is expanding rapidly, especially with new drug and device development.
4. Healthcare consultant
What they do: Healthcare consultants analyze data, processes, and systems to help organizations improve efficiency, cut costs, and provide better care. They might assess staffing models, redesign patient flow, evaluate financial performance, or ensure compliance with new healthcare regulations. Consultants often work on high-impact projects, such as EHR implementation, mergers and acquisitions, or value-based care initiatives.
Where they work:
- Consulting firms (e.g., Deloitte, McKinsey, PwC, boutique healthcare consultancies)
- Hospitals and health systems (internal consulting teams)
- Insurance companies and managed care organizations
- Government health agencies
- Large nonprofit health organizations
Education:
- RN with BSN or higher; MBA, MPH, or MHA strongly preferred for advancement.
- Certification in Lean Six Sigma or project management is a plus.
Pay:
- Average salary: $85,000–$120,000/year; senior consultants can earn more.
Responsibilities:
- Analyze organizational workflows and financial performance.
- Recommend process improvements and cost-saving measures.
- Implement compliance and quality initiatives.
- Work with executives to set strategic goals.
Growth outlook:
- Rapidly growing: Healthcare organizations are under pressure to cut costs and improve quality, driving demand for consultants.
5. Health educator
What they do: Health educators design and deliver programs that help people make healthier lifestyle choices. They might run workshops on nutrition, chronic disease management, sexual health, or stress reduction. They also assess community health needs, collect and analyze data, and advocate for better public health policies. Their work often emphasizes prevention, outreach, and improving access to care.
Where they work:
- Public health departments (local, state, federal)
- Schools and universities
- Nonprofit organizations (e.g., American Heart Association
- Hospitals and community clinics
- Corporate wellness programs
Education:
- Bachelor’s in Public Health, Health Education, or Nursing.
- Certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) may be required.
Pay:
- Average salary: $50,000–$70,000/year.
Responsibilities:
- Create and deliver health education workshops.
- Collect data to evaluate community health needs.
- Collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and public health agencies.
- Advocate for healthy policies and programs.
Growth outlook:
- Faster-than-average growth: Public health and prevention efforts are becoming more important, particularly after COVID-19.
6. Clinical informatics specialist
What they do: Clinical informatics specialists blend nursing knowledge with IT expertise to optimize how healthcare organizations use data. They help design and implement EHR systems, troubleshoot usability issues, and train staff to use new technology effectively. They also analyze clinical data to identify trends, improve patient outcomes, and support population health initiatives. Many informatics specialists serve as the “translator” between frontline clinicians and technical teams.
Where they work:
- Hospitals and health systems (EHR/IT departments)
- Health IT vendors (Epic, Cerner, Meditech, etc.)
- Telehealth and digital health startups
- Government agencies (CMS, VA healthcare system)
- Insurance and managed care organizations
Education:
- RN with BSN required; MSN in Informatics or Health Informatics master’s degree preferred.
- Informatics certification (e.g., ANCC Informatics Nursing Certification) highly valued.
Pay:
- Average salary: $85,000–$105,000/year.
Responsibilities:
- Design and implement EHR systems.
- Train staff on new technologies
- Analyze healthcare data for quality improvement.
- Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations.
Growth outlook:
Very strong growth: Digital health, telemedicine, and big data are transforming healthcare—informatics professionals are in high demand.
Charting a new course, nursing skills in hand
Exploring a new career path as a nurse doesn’t mean leaving your skills behind—it means applying them in different, often innovative ways. Whether you see yourself guiding patients as a Case Manager, shaping the next generation of professionals as a clinical educator, advancing medical knowledge as a clinical research coordinator, or improving systems as a clinical informatics specialist, there are abundant opportunities to build on your nursing foundation. By identifying the roles that align with your strengths and interests, you can transition into a career that offers both professional fulfillment and long-term sustainability.
If you’re exploring alternatives to a nursing career, but you’re not quite sure about leaving the field, it might be a good time to connect with a recruiter who understands your career goals and lifestyle. Maybe nursing is for you—you just haven’t found the right job or approach that will give you the work-life balance and job satisfaction you’re looking for.
At Prolink, that’s what we do. Connect with a recruiter today and make sure you’re getting the most out of your nursing career before you make the switch.
