Career Change for Nurses: 30+ Non-Bedside Careers and Opportunities

Looking for a change? You can leave the bedside without leaving nursing completely — explore now!

This post was first published on my Medium blog—follow me there for the most up-to-date entries!

Many nurses want to get away from bedside nursing, but don’t want to pivot into a completely different field. If you find yourself in that situation, here are 30 non-bedside careers and opportunities you could pursue for a career change for nurses.

Writing and content creation

As you can probably guess, I love writing, storytelling and creating all sorts of media. I’ve done almost all of these, and they all make strong options for a career change for nurses!

Health and medical writer — Contributing to lay magazines, professional journals, or medical blogs
Author — Writing books on nursing, healthcare, or patient education
Medical copywriter — Creating marketing or educational content for healthcare companies
Regulatory writer — Developing policy documents, clinical guidelines, or compliance materials
Grant writer — Writing funding proposals for healthcare research or non-profits
Scriptwriter for health-related media — Writing for medical TV shows, patient education videos, or healthcare-related podcasts

Education and training

Again, this is where I’ve lived many years of my decades-long career. I’ve been in academic as well as non-academic education and training. If you love teaching and/or coaching, I feel sure you’ll feel comfortable in any of these options for a career change for nurses.

Nurse educator (non-academic) — Developing training courses for hospitals, medical device companies, or pharmaceutical firms
Corporate trainer — Teaching healthcare professionals about new products, procedures, or software
Online course creator — Developing self-paced or live virtual courses for continuing education or professional development
Health coach — Providing guidance for patients in lifestyle changes, chronic disease management, or wellness programs
Mentor or consultant for new nurses — Helping recent grads transition into their careers through workshops or coaching

Business, entrepreneurship consulting

Whether you run your own business, work as an employee in someone else’s, or consult for a large corporation, trust me — these roles can be incredibly exciting as a career change for nurses. You’ll need a deep love for independence and strategic thinking, and every day brings something new.

Medical device educator — Training providers on how to use new medical technology
Consultant for healthcare startups — Advising on clinical workflow, patient safety, or healthcare innovation
Entrepreneur in healthcare solutions — Creating new products, services, or educational tools for healthcare professionals
Healthcare technology specialist — Assisting companies in integrating new medical software, AI, or telehealth solutions
Medical legal consultant — Supporting attorneys in malpractice cases, wrongful death claims, or forensic reviews

Policy, advocacy, and public Health

I’m not drawn to politics, so legislative and government-related roles never appealed to me. Yet, over the years, I dabbled in them, holding leadership positions in nonprofit organizations like the National Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition. If you’re passionate about influencing healthcare at the system, community, or national level, any of these roles can be an incredibly fulfilling career change for nurses.

Healthcare policy advisor — Working with non-profits, think tanks, or government agencies to influence legislation
Public health specialist — Educating communities on disease prevention and wellness initiatives
Non-profit leader — Running or advising health-related charities, organizations, or patient advocacy groups
Disaster preparedness and response coordinator — Developing plans for pandemic response, emergency medicine, or crisis management

Media and Public Speaking

I hate to admit it, but I thrive in the spotlight. Few things light my fire more than addressing a live audience and interacting with the listeners. If you enjoy visibility and influencing public opinion, these career changes for nurses could be a good fit for you.

Podcast host or guest expert — Discussing nursing, healthcare policy, or medical advancements
TV medical contributor — Providing expert analysis for news programs or talk shows
Medical spokesperson for companies — Representing healthcare brands in media, events, or educational campaigns
Conference speaker or workshop facilitator — Leading discussions at nursing and healthcare summits

Technology and innovation

No amount of money could persuade me to take on these jobs, but if you’re passionate about problem-solving and digital solutions, these roles might be calling your name for your career change for nurses.

Healthcare UX/UI consultant — Improving the usability of electronic health records (EHRs) and medical software
Telehealth specialist — Providing remote consultations, training, or program development
Clinical research coordinator — Managing trials and studies for pharmaceuticals, hospitals, or biotech firms
Data analyst in healthcare — Interpreting trends in patient outcomes, hospital efficiency, or medical research

Alternative clinical roles

You know I’m big on idea of staying in nursing, or at least healthcare, when considering a career change for nurses. You can do that with non-traditional roles and responsibilities, where you’ll need to use all of your well-honed clinical skills, but with minimal to no patient care.

Case manager — Coordinating patient care, insurance approvals, and discharge planning
Infection preventionist — Leading hospital initiatives to reduce infections and improve safety
Forensic nurse consultant — Assisting law enforcement in understanding medical evidence in legal cases
Occupational health nurse — Supporting workplace safety and employee health programs

Career change for nurses

As you can see, there are many non-bedside nursing careers available that still allow you to use your clinical expertise and passion for healthcare. Whether you’re drawn to education, writing, business, public policy, media, or technology, there’s a role for you and every nurse who want to stay connected to the field without being in direct patient care.

These opportunities offer the chance for personal growth, new challenges, and the ability to make a lasting impact on healthcare in a variety of exciting ways. If you’re ready for a career change for nurses but want to remain in the nursing world, one of these paths might be right for you.

By the way, keep an eye out for my guest appearance on AWHONN’s podcast about transitioning to non-traditional roles. My slant will be towards maternal-child nurses like me, but I’ll talk about the ups and downs of my own journey to less traditional roles.

In the comments, let me know which role appeals most to you!