10 High-Paying Side Gigs for Nurses (Using Skills You Already Have)
If you’re looking for a way to bring in extra income as a nurse, you’re in good company. With rising living costs, family responsibilities, and long-term goals like saving for childcare or a new home, many nurses want to earn more (without adding another draining hospital shift).
As nurses, we already have skills (both clinical and personal) that are valuable, flexible, and in demand. You don’t need another degree or certification. You just need to know how to leverage what you’re already great at.
In this post, we’ll break down high-paying side gigs for nurses that use the experience you already have! Plus a few options outside of nursing that tap into your natural strengths. Each one includes what the gig is, how much it typically pays, and how to get started in a realistic, low-stress way.
Let’s explore what’s possible for you.
What Counts as a “High-Paying” Side Gig for Nurses?
When you’re already juggling patient care, charting, family life, and everything in between, your time is valuable. So when we talk about high-paying side gigs for nurses, we’re not talking about anything that pays $10 an hour or requires endless unpaid work just to get started.
For this post, a “high-paying” side gig is one that:
Pays competitively for your time - often anywhere from $30 to $100+ per hour, depending on the role.
Fits around your life - not the other way around. Flexibility matters, especially if you work shifts or have a family.
Doesn’t require more degrees or long, expensive certifications - You’ve already invested plenty in your nursing career.
Uses skills you already have - whether they’re clinical (assessment, documentation, education) or personal (organization, communication, problem-solving).
Helps you earn more without burning out.
Remember there is no pressure to turn a side gig into a new career (unless you want to). The goal is to help you make extra money as an RN in ways that support your current season of life, not add more stress to it.
High-Paying Side Gigs for Nurses (Using Skills You Already Have)
You don’t need a new job title or a major career pivot to start growing! There are powerful steps you can take inside your current role that will set you up for whatever comes next.
Whether you're exploring a future pivot, considering a promotion, or simply wanting to feel more aligned in your work, these actions will help you build momentum now.
1. Clinical Freelancing: Chart Review & Quality Assurance
What it is:
Many healthcare organizations, insurance companies, and legal teams need nurses to review charts for accuracy, completeness, standards of care, and quality metrics. This could look like auditing patient records, reviewing documentation for errors, or summarizing cases for internal teams.
Potential pay range:
Typically $30–$80 per hour, depending on the project and your experience.
How to break in:
Look for postings from insurance companies, utilization review firms, or health systems.
Add “chart review,” “quality,” or “documentation audit” to your resume or LinkedIn profile.
Start with small contract roles to build experience, then expand as opportunities grow.
2. Health Writing for Medical Brands
What it is:
Healthcare organizations, startups, and patient education platforms constantly need trustworthy, clear information - and nurses are some of the most reliable experts they can hire. Writing projects might include blog posts, patient education materials, course scripts, care guides, or continuing education content.
Potential pay range:
Usually $75–$300 per article or project (can become more with experience or specialty knowledge).
How to break in:
Create 3–5 sample pieces (you can publish them on your own website or LinkedIn).
Optimize your LinkedIn bio to highlight your nursing background and writing interest.
Pitch healthcare blogs, digital health startups, or education companies with a short intro and portfolio.
3. Teaching & Clinical Education (Per-Diem or Event-Based)
What it is:
Many programs pay nurses to support skills labs, run simulations, teach CPR/BLS, or help with clinical days for students. With a part-time teaching role, you can commit to just a few hours at a time using expertise you already have.
Potential pay range:
Typically $30–$50 per hour, with higher rates in some markets.
How to break in:
Contact local nursing programs or simulation centers.
If interested in CPR/BLS instruction, look for local organizations that hire instructors (certification is quick and inexpensive).
When reaching out, highlight your communication skills and any experience you’ve had precepting or teaching at work.
→ Curious about education roles? I break down several BSN-friendly educator options in this post on my blog: Nurse Educator Roles You Can Get With a BSN (No MSN Required). It’s a great place to explore what’s possible before taking your next step.
4. Vaccine Clinics, Flu Clinics, and Event Medicine
What it is:
Community organizations, schools, corporate wellness programs, and mobile health companies often hire nurses for short-term or seasonal clinics. These roles usually involve administering vaccines, basic monitoring, or supporting event operations (and come with flexible hours).
Potential pay range:
Commonly $30–$60 per hour, depending on the event and location.
How to break in:
Watch listings from local health departments or mobile health companies.
Consider joining a PRN pool with a staffing agency that offers community-based shifts.
These opportunities tend to spike during back-to-school and flu seasons, but many organizations run pop-up clinics year-round.
5. Legal Nurse Consulting (Project-Based Work)
What it is:
Legal teams hire nurses to review medical records, identify deviations from standards of care, translate clinical information into plain language, and summarize cases. While some LNCs pursue certification, many nurses begin with small cases to gain experience.
Potential pay range:
Often $40–$60 per hour, depending on the case complexity and your background.
How to break in:
Connect with local law firms or join LNC networking groups.
Offer to take on small, straightforward cases at first.
Highlight documentation expertise, attention to detail, and experience with complex patient populations.
6. Nursing Student Tutoring (Virtual or Local)
What it is: Nursing students often need support with coursework, study strategies, clinical judgment, NCLEX prep, or simply managing the intensity of nursing school. Nurses are uniquely qualified to offer this kind of guidance, and tutoring can be done in person or completely online.
Potential pay range:
Usually $30–$50 per hour, with higher rates for NCLEX-specific tutoring or advanced coursework. Agency-based tutoring often falls on the lower end, while private tutoring offers more flexibility in pricing.
How to break in:
Go through a tutoring agency or platform. Companies like Wyzant, Varsity Tutors, or university tutoring centers match you with students so you don’t have to market yourself. This is usually the quickest, simplest entry point if you want low effort and steady inquiries.
Offer tutoring independently. Advertise your services in local nursing student groups, campus job boards, or on your own social media/website. This gives you full control over pricing and allows you to charge premium rates for NCLEX prep or specialized subjects.
Start simple. Create structured, supportive sessions that focus on building confidence, breaking down complex topics, and helping students think like nurses (not overwhelming them with more information).
High-Paying Side Gigs Outside of Nursing (Using Personal Strengths)
7. Freelance Project Management Support
What it is:
Helping small businesses, nonprofits, or healthcare-adjacent companies coordinate timelines, communication, deliverables, and team workflows. Many organizations look for part-time or contract help rather than full-time employees.
Potential pay range:
Typically $40–$60 per hour, depending on experience and industry.
How to break in:
Identify industries you care about (healthcare tech, wellness brands, education, community organizations).
Highlight your natural PM skills (prioritizing, coordinating care, communicating clearly, and keeping things on track).
Update your LinkedIn or portfolio to reflect project-based accomplishments.
Look for “project coordinator,” “implementation support,” or “operations assistant” contract roles on job boards.
8. Virtual Assistance for Wellness or Service-Based Businesses
What it is:
Supporting solopreneurs and small teams by managing inboxes, scheduling, customer communication, social media, research, or basic admin tasks. Nurses excel in this because they’re organized, calm under pressure, and detail-oriented.
Potential pay range:
Usually $20–$40 per hour, with higher pay for specialized skills (content creation, tech support, or systems setup).
How to break in:
Start with 1-2 clients to learn their workflows and build confidence.
Position yourself as someone who “keeps the backend running smoothly.” Your clinical coordination experience translates beautifully here.
Market to niches you genuinely enjoy (wellness, fitness, coaching, local small businesses).
Consider simple portfolios or testimonials to build trust.
9. Personal Coaching in a Non-Clinical Niche
(Examples: organization, study skills, resilience, stress management, work-life balance)
What it is:
Offering supportive, non-clinical guidance to help clients create structure, stay accountable, and build confidence. This is not medical advice, just using your strengths to help someone grow in a specific area.
Potential pay range:
Often $40–$100 per hour, depending on niche, structure, and experience.
How to break in:
Choose a niche that feels natural based on your strengths (time management, habit building, stress resilience, etc.).
Create a simple 3–4 session package with clear outcomes.
Set firm boundaries around scope (no medical interpretation or diagnosis).
Start with a few beta clients to refine your process.
10. Pet Sitting or Childcare for Higher Rates
What it is:
Providing reliable caregiving (evenings, weekends, or overnight) for families or pet owners who want someone experienced and trustworthy. Nursing backgrounds often justify premium rates.
Potential pay range:
Typically $20–$40 per hour (higher for overnight), depending on your area and level of service.
How to break in:
Use platforms like Rover, Care.com, or local parent/pet groups.
Emphasize reliability, safety awareness, and your professional background (it automatically increases trust).
Decide whether you want ongoing families or occasional bookings to fit your schedule.
How to Choose the Right Side Gig for Your Season of Life
Choosing the right side gig isn’t about what sounds impressive or what social media says will make the most money. It’s about choosing something that fits your current season of life, not the season you wish you were in.
Here’s how to narrow it down:
1. Consider your energy levels.
If work and home already take most of your bandwidth, choose something low-pressure and predictable. If you’re in a more spacious season, you may be able to take on something more creative or client-facing.
2. Look at your family and life commitments.
Some gigs (like pet sitting) fit easily into daily life. Others (like coaching or tutoring) require scheduled time blocks. Choose what complements the rhythm you already have.
3. Lean into the skills you enjoy, not just the ones you’re good at.
You might be excellent at patient teaching, but if it drains you, that’s not the best option right now. Pick something that feels natural, energizing, or genuinely fun.
4. Revisit and adjust as life changes.
Your side gig doesn’t need to be permanent. You can shift, pause, or pivot depending on your needs. Flexibility is the whole point.
Conclusion
Nurses already have valuable strengths (both clinical and personal) that translate into real income. You don’t need another degree or a major career overhaul to start earning more. You just need clarity, confidence, and a direction that works for your life.
If you want help getting grounded in your strengths, goals, and next steps, download Own Your Career: A Nurse’s Guide to Growth & Change . It’s the perfect starting point before choosing a side gig or planning your next career move.
Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, financial, or psychological advice. Always consult with qualified professionals regarding your unique needs and circumstances.