Nursing school provides you with all the skills you need to become a qualified nurse. However, many of these skills will also transfer over to other careers. Whether you have decided that nursing is not for you or you just need to take a break from the clinical environment, there are many alternative career opportunities available for nurses.
In this article, we list common non-nursing jobs for nurses, including the average salary and expected responsibilities of each one.
What can you do with a BSN besides nursing?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a degree that prepares aspiring nurses for a career in nursing. A typical BSN program will teach students nursing skills in research, health, anatomy, physiology and clinical nursing. Nursing students will also develop skills in problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, diagnosis and decision-making. While these skills are ideal for a nurse working with patients in a medical setting, these same skills can also transfer over to other industries.
In each of these non-nursing careers, nurses will find that their background in health can assist them in succeeding in the role. The unique hands-on experience that nurses bring to each of these careers can also make them a more competitive candidate when applying for these positions.
Alternative jobs for nurses
Nurses who have completed the required training and want to step away from the bedside may find these non-nursing professions to be desirable:
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Medical Biller
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Health Writer
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Nutritionist
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Health Service Administrator
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Health Researcher
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Medical Sales Executive
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Nurse Consultant
1. Medical biller
National average salary: $35,240 per year
Primary duties: Medical billers collect payments from patients and insurance companies. They may draft medical bills and send them to the patient’s home, or they may use health codes to bill the insurance company for services received. Additional responsibilities of a medical biller might include updating patient financial records, creating payment plans with patients and keeping detailed records of accounts payable and accounts receivable. Nurses can leverage their healthcare knowledge to accurately and efficiently review codes for payment.
2. Health writer
National average salary: $63,705 per year
Primary duties: A health writer uses in-depth medical knowledge to create health articles and publications. They might work for a health magazine or a medical facility drafting medical articles and newsletters for patients. Health writers may also draft informative pamphlets about specific health conditions that medical providers use to educate patients. The advanced medical skills and knowledge that nurses develop in a BSN program can assist them in creating health-related content that is accurate, informative and useful to patients.
3. Nutritionist
National average salary: $48,984 per year
Primary duties: Nutritionists advise and consult with patients on improving their health through nutrition. They may assist patients in reaching certain health goals or improving their overall health. Some nutritionists may work in a medical facility with patients who are already dealing with medical conditions or in a health center to encourage healthy eating habits. Nurses may need additional training in nutrition to work as a nutritionist, but their nursing and healthcare background will assist them in understanding how nutrition can impact health.
4. Health service administrator
National average salary: $87,019 per year
Primary duties: Health service administrators manage health facilities. They might work in a hospital or medical office by hiring staff, managing budgets, improving patient experience, and managing the day-to-day operations of the office. Health service administrators work in a role similar to an office manager, but they often have a background in health, making it a great role for nursing professionals. Health service administrators may also use their knowledge of the medical industry to make recommendations on how the business can improve its policies or processes.
5. Medical researcher
National average salary: $77,845 per year
Primary duties: A medical researcher investigates health, illness, and health care through scientific studies. They aim to enhance health, health care services, and outcomes by identifying research questions, conducting studies, analyzing data, and reporting findings. To secure grants for their work, they must write grant proposals and meet reporting requirements. Many also teach and write for professional journals. Medical researchers often collaborate with experts from diverse fields to address complex questions effectively.
6. Medical sales executive
National average salary: $83,112 per year
Primary duties: A medical sales executive works with medical products and pharmaceutical companies. They educate medical providers, such as doctors, physician assistants and other nurses on the uses of different medical devices and pharmaceuticals. They will often meet with healthcare providers to answer questions about a product and to offer samples to increase sales. Because of the experience and education that nurses bring to the position, they may also offer training on certain medical products.
7. Nurse consultant
National average salary: $97,947 per year
Primary duties: Nurse consultants often work in a legal capacity, offering expert advice and consultation to legal teams working on cases that involve medical details. They may assist the legal team in evaluating medical charts, defining medical terms and often acting as an expert witness on cases of medical malpractice. A nurse consultant might also work for a medical facility, nursing home, or hospital, offering consultation and recommendations on individual treatment plans. Experienced nurse consultants might be tasked with evaluating the current qualifications of nursing staff.
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