Nurses are known for working long shifts, putting patients first, and doing some of the toughest jobs in healthcare. But let’s be real. Your paycheck doesn’t always match your workload.
That’s where side hustles come in. From PRN shifts to content creation, there are plenty of ways to make extra money as a nurse without sacrificing your sanity. The rise of flexible staffing, telehealth, and the gig economy has opened the door to new opportunities for nurses everywhere.
Let’s look at 15 of the best side hustles for nurses in 2025. I’ll highlight pay, requirements, pros and cons, and tips to get started.
Looking for PRN shifts in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, or Colorado? Cascade Health Services has you covered.
Table of Contents
1. PRN Nursing
PRN stands for per diem (as needed). Instead of committing to a full-time schedule, PRN nurses fill open shifts when facilities are short-staffed. It’s one of the fastest-growing nursing professions. Nurses usually work for PRN agencies because they work with a lot of facilities, which means a lot of chances to add extra money to their paycheck.
- Pay Range: $35–$60/hour (usually higher than staff nurses; urgent shifts may include bonuses).
- Who It’s Best For: RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and CMTs who want flexibility.
- Where You’ll Work: Hospitals, LTC facilities, clinics, and agencies.
- Requirements: Active license; usually 6–12 months of recent experience.
Pros:
- High hourly pay.
Flexible scheduling — you decide when to work. - Great for avoiding burnout from full-time bedside care.
Cons:
- No guaranteed hours.
- Shifts can be canceled if the census drops.
Some agencies don’t offer benefits. If that’s important to you, make sure you find a W-2 agency.
How to Get Started:
- Apply with a W-2 staffing agency like Cascade Health Services.
- Keep your credentials and health records current.
- Be ready for last-minute calls — those usually pay the most.
Cascade specializes in PRN staffing in the Midwest. Apply once, get access to shifts across Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Colorado.
2. Travel Nursing
Travel nurses sign short-term contracts (usually 8-13 weeks) around the country. It’s a mix of high pay, adventure, and you get to experience different facilities.
- Pay Range: $40–$70/hour plus stipends for housing, meals, and travel.
- Who It’s Best For: RNs, LPNs, and CNAs open to relocating.
- Where You’ll Work: Hospitals and clinics nationwide.
- Requirements: 1+ year of experience in your specialty; active state license(s).
Pros:
- Big paychecks and tax-free stipends.
- Chance to travel and explore new cities.
- Resume booster with diverse experience.
Cons:
- Moving often can be stressful.
- Housing logistics can be tricky.
- Licensing varies by state. Don’t worry, we have a guide for transferring your nursing license.
How to Get Started:
- Partner with a travel nurse agency to manage contracts.
- Get compact licensure if eligible — it makes multistate practice easier.
- Be flexible — the best-paying assignments aren’t always in the most glamorous cities.
3. Telehealth Nursing
Thanks to telemedicine, nurses can now provide care over video calls, phone, or secure chat. Telehealth nurses rely on patient-reported information and pictures to evaluate symptoms. As a telehealth nurse, you’ll help a lot of patients who might not be able to visit a clinic.
- Pay Range: $30–$50/hour.
- Who It’s Best For: Tech-savvy nurses with strong communication skills.
- Where You’ll Work: Telehealth companies, hospitals with remote care programs.
- Requirements: Active license, good internet connection, comfort with EMR systems.
Pros:
- Work from home.
- Less exposure to illness.
- Flexible hours.
Cons:
- Must follow state-by-state practice laws.
- May involve nights and weekends.
How to Get Started:
- Apply through telehealth providers or your current facility’s remote division.
- Brush up on tech tools and HIPAA compliance.
4. Private Duty / Home Health Nursing
Home health nurses care for patients in their homes, often with chronic conditions, disabilities, or post-surgery needs. As a home health nurse, you’ll spend a lot of your time providing one-on-one care.
- Pay Range: $25–$45/hour.
- Who It’s Best For: Nurses who prefer one-on-one patient care.
- Where You’ll Work: Patient homes, hospice programs, or through home health agencies.
- Requirements: Active license; some roles may require specialized training.
Pros:
- Build close relationships with patients and families.
- Less chaotic than hospitals.
- Growing demand — especially as populations age.
Cons:
- Limited support in emergencies.
- Frequent travel required.
How to Get Started:
- Apply to home health or hospice organizations.
Market yourself as a private-duty nurse for families seeking direct care.
5. Nurse Consulting
Hospitals, law firms, and organizations pay for nursing expertise in areas like infection control, compliance, or patient safety. Even blogs like this one are a great place to get started because they want an expert to help write and review content to make sure it’s actually useful for nurses.
- Pay Range: It depends heavily on experience, $40–$80/hour is a typical expectation.
- Who It’s Best For: Experienced nurses with specialized knowledge.
- Where You’ll Work: Hospitals, clinics, law offices, or independently.
- Requirements: Strong background in your specialty; sometimes certification.
Pros:
- Positions you as an expert.
- High earning potential.
- Less physically demanding than bedside care.
Cons:
- Requires credibility and experience.
- May need to network to find gigs.
How to Get Started:
- Offer services through LinkedIn or professional associations.
- Consider a legal nurse consulting certification if you want to work with law firms.
6. Online Tutoring / NCLEX Prep
Help nursing students or recent grads pass exams. This one is great because you can do it in between shifts, and it’s a great way to keep your mind sharp on things you don’t deal with day-to-day.
- Pay Range: $25–$50/hour.
- Who It’s Best For: Nurses with strong academic skills and patience.
- Where You’ll Work: Online tutoring platforms, independent Zoom sessions.
- Requirements: Solid GPA, teaching skills; may need BLS instructor cert.
Pros:
- Flexible schedule.
- Keeps your knowledge sharp.
- Rewarding when students succeed.
Cons:
- Inconsistent income.
- Requires patience with stressed-out students.
How to Get Started:
- Advertise services on tutoring sites or social media.
- Specialize in NCLEX prep — it’s in high demand.
7. Freelance Nurse Writing
If you’ve got writing chops, put your medical knowledge into articles, blogs, or patient education materials. Blogs like this one are a great place to get started because they want an expert to help write and review content to make sure it’s actually useful for nurses.
- Pay Range: $30–$50/hour. Some blogs pay by article, and with experience, you may be able to make even more.
- Who It’s Best For: Nurses who love writing and research.
- Where You’ll Work: Healthcare sites, publications, your own blog.
- Requirements: Strong writing skills, portfolio samples.
Pros:
- Remote and flexible.
- Share your expertise widely.
- Opportunity to grow into full-time writing.
Cons:
- Pay varies by client.
- Tight deadlines.
How to Get Started:
- Create samples on a free blog or LinkedIn.
- Pitch nurse-focused publications.
8. Content Creator / Nurse Influencer
Social media can be more than memes and cat videos. Some nurses turn TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube into side hustles.
- Pay Range: Varies widely — from <$100/month to $30k+/year or even more. Keep in mind that most people don’t start out making a lot of money. You’ll have to love doing it for free to be able to make the kind of money you see influencers making.
- Who It’s Best For: Outgoing nurses who love content.
- Where You’ll Work: TikTok, YouTube, Instagram.
- Requirements: Consistency, creativity, and knowledge of HIPAA.
Pros:
- Fun and flexible.
- Builds your personal brand.
- Potential for big growth.
Cons:
- Slow to build income.
- Requires technical skills.
How to Get Started:
- Pick a platform and niche like NCLEX tips, “day in the life,” or funny, relatable content.
- Post consistently — aim for 3+ times per week.
9. Adjunct Nursing Instructor
Teach part-time at a college or university.
- Pay Range: $87,000/year on average (BLS).
- Who It’s Best For: Nurses with advanced degrees.
- Where You’ll Work: Nursing schools, community colleges.
- Requirements: BSN minimum, often MSN or higher.
Pros:
- Teach the next generation.
- Less physically demanding.
- High demand for instructors.
Cons:
- Requires a graduate degree.
- Adjunct pay may be lower than full professors.
How to Get Started:
- Apply to local nursing schools or online programs.
- Start as an adjunct to build teaching experience.
10. Clinical Research Nurse
Support or conduct studies in hospitals or academic settings. Research nurses are especially detail-oriented because everything they do needs to be reported in great detail. Research nurses provide direct care to research participants.
- Pay Range: $40–$55/hour.
- Who It’s Best For: Nurses interested in research and data.
- Where You’ll Work: Universities, hospitals, pharma companies.
- Requirements: BSN minimum; MSN often preferred.
Pros:
- Advance medical knowledge.
- Higher pay than staff roles.
- Less physically demanding.
- Companies you’re researching for will often pay for trips to attend investigator meetings. Most clinical research nurses love this perk.
Cons:
- Less patient interaction.
- May require additional certification.
How to Get Started:
- Look for postings at academic medical centers.
- Join professional research associations.
11. Medical Coding / Data Entry
Convert patient charts into billing codes for insurance.
- Pay Range: $20–$30/hour.
- Who It’s Best For: Detail-oriented nurses.
- Where You’ll Work: Hospitals, clinics, and remote.
- Requirements: Knowledge of coding systems; certification preferred.
Pros:
- Work from home.
- Strong demand.
- Low-stress compared to bedside work.
Cons:
- Lower pay.
- Can be repetitive.
How to Get Started:
- Take a coding certification course.
- Apply for remote roles on healthcare job boards.
13. Vaccine / Immunization Nurse
Administer vaccines at clinics, schools, or events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these kinds of jobs were in really high demand.
- Pay Range: $30–$40/hour.
- Who It’s Best For: Nurses who enjoy preventive care.
- Where You’ll Work: Community health centers, pharmacies, seasonal clinics.
- Requirements: Active license; sometimes CPR/BLS certification.
Pros:
- Rewarding, community impact.
- Flexible scheduling.
Cons:
- Seasonal demand.
- Patient hesitancy.
How to Get Started:
- Apply to public health departments or local pharmacies.
- Consider per diem vaccine clinics for extra shifts.
14. Camp Nurse
Work at summer camps or retreats by providing care for attendees. It’s a great way to have some fun and enjoy the outdoors while getting paid.
- Pay Range: $25–$35/hour.
- Who It’s Best For: Nurses who love the outdoors.
- Where You’ll Work: Summer camps, retreats, outdoor programs.
- Requirements: RN or LPN; experience in pediatrics a plus.
Pros:
- Scenic work environment.
- Fun, adventurous atmosphere.
Cons:
- Seasonal only.
- Limited resources in emergencies.
How to Get Started:
- Search camp websites or staffing boards in the spring.
- Highlight pediatric or ER experience on your resume.
15. Paid Medical Survey Panelist
Share your professional opinions on surveys and panels. This one is a good option for spare time. You may not qualify for a ton of surveys, so you definitely can’t depend on it for anything more than random income.
- Pay Range: $5–$100 per survey.
- Who It’s Best For: Nurses with extra downtime.
- Where You’ll Work: Online survey platforms.
- Requirements: Nursing experience for credibility.
Pros:
- Easy, low-effort.
- Do it in your spare time.
Cons:
- Low, inconsistent pay.
- Lots of scams — research carefully.
How to Get Started:
- Look for trusted healthcare survey companies.
- Avoid any platform asking for payment up front.
FAQs About Nurse Side Hustles
What is the best side hustle for nurses?
PRN and travel nursing usually offer the highest pay, but online tutoring and content creation offer the most flexibility. PRN and travel nursing can also be a full-time position; it just depends on the number of shifts your agency has available. Double-check you’re working with an agency that’s established in your area if you want to do it full-time.
Can a nurse work two jobs?
Yes, a lot of nurses balance staff roles with PRN shifts or online work. Just check employer policies and avoid burnout.
How do nurses make money online?
Telehealth, freelance writing, content creation, and tutoring are the most popular online nurse side hustles.
What other jobs can nurses do besides nursing?
Options include consulting, research, coding, teaching, and healthcare writing.
How much can nurses make with side hustles?
Side hustles can add $500–$3,000/month, depending on hours and type of work.
Make Extra Money With Your Skills
Nursing is one of the most demanding careers out there, but that doesn’t mean your income has to be limited to a single paycheck. Whether you want the high-paying flexibility of PRN shifts, the adventure of travel nursing, or the creative freedom of writing and content creation, there’s a side hustle that fits your lifestyle. The key is choosing an option that balances your energy, time, and financial goals — without burning you out.
