Travel nursing is not just a job—it’s a lifestyle. It offers nurses the unique opportunity to explore new places, meet new people, and experience unique healthcare settings, all while earning a competitive salary. But what if you could supplement this income further?
This blog post will uncover some unique and lucrative side hustles for travel nurses. Whether you’re looking to pay off debt, save for a dream vacation, or earn extra money, these tips will help you further stretch your paycheck.
So, let’s dive in and discover how to make extra money as a nurse on the road!
What are Side Hustles for Nurses?
A nursing side hustle refers to a nurse’s additional job or task to make extra money, apart from regular nursing jobs.
These side hustles range from freelance writing, teaching nursing students, and telehealth nursing to non-nursing jobs such as content writing or selling handmade crafts.
The common denominator is that these jobs offer flexibility, allowing you to work them around your nursing career.
They can be a fantastic way to earn money, diversify your income, and develop new skills.
Remember, a side hustle should be something you enjoy—if it feels like a chore, it may not suit you.
Why Take on a Nursing Side Hustle?
There are multiple reasons why taking on a nursing side hustle can be beneficial. Here are a few key reasons:
Financial Independence
Side hustles provide an opportunity for extra cash that can significantly enhance your financial stability. Whether you aim to pay off student loans, build up your savings, or desire a more comfortable lifestyle, a side hustle can be a significant financial boost.
Skill Development
Having a side gig can lead to the development of new skills. For instance, if your side hustle involves freelance writing, you will likely improve your writing and communication skills. If it’s being a nurse educator, you’ll develop a fresh set of pedagogical skills. These newly acquired skills might open doors to new opportunities in the future.
Career Growth
A nursing side hustle can enhance your resume by showcasing your versatility and commitment to the field. It might also allow you to explore different facets of healthcare, giving you a broader perspective and potentially guiding your career path.
Personal Satisfaction
Working on something you love, apart from your regular nursing duties, can bring a sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment. It allows you to pursue your passions and hobbies while earning extra money.
Where to Find Side Hustes for Nurses
Finding the perfect nursing side hustle starts with knowing where to look. Here are several places to start your search:
Online Job Boards
Online job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, or SimplyHired often post part-time or freelance opportunities suitable for registered nurses. These can include roles like a telehealth nurse, freelance health writer, nurse midwife, nurse anesthesia, and more.
Nursing Forums and Social Media Groups
Join forums and groups geared towards registered nurses on platforms like Facebook or Reddit. These communities often share job postings and can provide valuable advice and recommendations for side jobs.
Healthcare Consultancies
Some healthcare consultancies seek nurses for part-time or project-based roles. These roles often involve providing expert advice or insights about the healthcare system, patient care, and other nursing-related topics.
Teaching Platforms
If you’re interested in teaching, consider joining an online teaching platform. Websites like Coursera or Udemy allow medical professionals to create and sell courses on their areas of expertise.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, consider starting your own small business. This could be related to healthcare or it could be something entirely different that aligns with your interests.
Remember, finding the right side hustle takes time, but with the right resources, you’re sure to find a side gig that complements your career as a registered nurse.
Tax Implications for Travel Nurses
When earning extra money as a travel nurse, it’s crucial to understand the tax implications. Additional earnings from your side hustle must be reported to the IRS and subject to income tax.
Depending on the nature of your side hustle, you may also be considered self-employed and required to pay self-employment tax.
However, there are potential tax benefits to consider as well. If your side hustle is considered a business, you may be entitled to deduct certain expenses on your tax return. This could include necessary and ordinary expenses such as travel, equipment, training, or home office costs.
Tax laws can be complex. It’s advisable to consult with a tax professional who can provide guidance based on your situation.
Remember, planning and understanding your tax obligations will help avoid potential issues.
Maximizing Deductions and Record-Keeping Tips for Travel Nurses
As a travel nurse with a side hustle, proper record-keeping can make a significant difference at tax time. Here are some tips to help you on this journey:
- Maintain Accurate Records: Keep track of all income earned and expenses incurred from your side hustle. This includes invoices, receipts, contracts, and other documents supporting your income and expenses.
- Stay Organized: Use a spreadsheet or financial software to record your income and expenses. Regularly updating this will make it easier when it comes time to report your earnings and costs to the IRS.
- Understand Deductible Expenses: Certain expenses related to your side hustle might be deductible, reducing your taxable income. This could include work-related travel expenses, equipment, training courses, or home office costs.
- Home Office Deduction: If you use a part of your home exclusively for your side hustle, you may be eligible for a home office deduction. This could include a portion of your rent or mortgage, utilities, and home insurance.
- Education and Training Costs: If you are taking courses or attending conferences directly related to your side hustle, these costs might also be deductible.
Maximizing your deductions can significantly reduce your tax liability, but you must ensure you do it correctly to avoid potential issues with the IRS.
Consult a Tax Professional
While these tips provide a basic understanding of managing your taxes as a travel nurse with a side hustle, tax laws can be complex.
A certified tax professional can provide in-depth advice tailored to your situation, offering peace of mind and ensuring you take full advantage of any deductions you’re entitled to.
A tax professional can also help you prepare and file your tax return, saving you time and stress.
Remember, investing in professional advice can pay off in the long run by potentially saving you a significant amount in taxes.
8 Side Hustles for Nurses
Telehealth Services
Telehealth services represent a rapidly growing field offering many opportunities for nurses seeking side hustles. As a telehealth nurse, you can provide virtual consultations, patient education, and follow-up care, all from the comfort of your home or on your own hours.
This allows for a flexible schedule to work around your primary nursing duties and tap into your existing skills and experience.
The increased demand for telehealth nurses, driven by a shift towards remote healthcare amid global health concerns, means that opportunities in this field are plentiful.
Moreover, the pay is competitive, making it one of the best side hustles for nurses.
Freelance Health Writer
Working as a freelance medical writer can be a highly rewarding side hustle if you have a knack for writing and a strong understanding of medical terminology and healthcare concepts.
This role involves creating health-related content for various platforms such as medical journals, health blogs, pharmaceutical websites, and patient education materials.
What sets medical writing apart is the need for accuracy and the ability to present complex medical information in a way that is easily understandable by the target audience.
Due to the specialist knowledge required, medical writers often command higher pay rates than generalist writers.
This side hustle can be done remotely and offers the flexibility to choose projects that align with your interests and expertise.
The demand for medical writers is high, making it a potentially lucrative and fulfilling side hustle for travel nurses. It also allows continuous learning and staying updated with the latest medical research and advancements.
Legal Nurse Consultant
As a legal nurse consultant, you can leverage your nursing expertise in the legal arena.
This role may involve reviewing medical records, preparing reports, and providing insights about healthcare issues in legal cases.
This side hustle offers the potential for high pay due to the specialist knowledge required. It also provides a stimulating intellectual challenge as you delve into the intersection of healthcare and law. Moreover, it allows you to contribute significantly outside the traditional healthcare setting.
Like many other side hustles, this role can often be managed remotely, accommodating your schedule as a traveling nurse. Given the complexity of medical cases, there is always a high demand for legal nurse consultants.
Health Coach
As a health coach, you can utilize your nursing background to guide and motivate individuals toward overall wellness.
This role typically involves setting health goals with clients, creating personalized wellness plans, and offering support throughout their health journey.
The knowledge and skills you have already acquired as a nurse translate well into this role.
Health coaching also presents an opportunity to impact individuals’ lives positively beyond a hospital or clinic setting.
Since most health coaching can be done virtually, this role provides flexibility that complements your travel nursing schedule. Moreover, the growing awareness around preventative healthcare and the desire for personalized care has increased demand for health coaches, making this a potentially profitable side hustle for travel nurses.
Tutor Nursing Students
As a nursing tutor, you can leverage your clinical expertise and experience to contribute to nursing school students’ nursing education and mentorship.
This role involves teaching nursing students techniques, helping with study strategies, or explaining complex healthcare concepts. Since this work can often be done online, it provides a flexible schedule that can fit around your travel nursing assignments.
Not only does tutoring allow you to give back to your profession by nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals, but it can also help you keep your knowledge up to date.
As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow, so does the need for quality nursing education and mentorship, making nursing tutoring a financially rewarding and personally fulfilling side hustle for travel nurses.
Clinical Research Associate
As a clinical research associate (CRA), you can use your nursing skills in a research setting, contributing to developing and implementing clinical trials.
This role often involves monitoring clinical sites, ensuring compliance with study protocols, checking data accuracy, and liaising with investigators. Your medical expertise can be crucial in managing potential issues or discrepancies during trials.
This side hustle can offer a rewarding break from hands-on patient care while still significantly impacting healthcare. Most CRAs work remotely, making it a flexible role that can fit seamlessly alongside your travel nursing duties.
Given the constant need for clinical research in the healthcare industry, there is a steady demand for CRAs, making this a potentially lucrative side hustle for travel nurses.
First Aid/CPR Instructor
As a CPR/first aid instructor, you can draw upon your practical know-how to teach life-saving skills to others. This role often involves conducting training sessions for community groups, corporate employees, or individuals, teaching them how to respond effectively in emergencies.
The requirement for First Aid and CPR training is widespread – from schools and sports clubs to workplaces, making it a steady source of extra income.
Moreover, the ability to teach these skills can be immensely satisfying personally, knowing that the knowledge imparted can make a critical difference in emergency scenarios.
Since most First Aid/CPR training can be scheduled flexibly, it can easily be balanced with the demanding schedule of a travel nurse, making it a great side hustle.
Medical Transcriptionist
As a medical transcriptionist, you can utilize your medical knowledge to transcribe doctors’ voice recordings into written reports.
This role involves careful listening, accurate typing, and thorough knowledge of medical terminology. Medical transcription can be performed remotely and flexibly, making it an ideal side hustle for travel nurses.
It allows you to leverage your existing medical expertise and offers a way to participate in the healthcare process away from direct patient care.
In the age of electronic health records, the demand for medical transcription services is significant, making it a viable and profitable side hustle for travel nurses eager to maximize their income.
Immunization Nurse
As an immunization nurse, you can utilize your skills and expertise to provide essential vaccinations to patients. This role typically involves administering vaccines, monitoring patients for adverse reactions, and educating individuals on the importance of immunizations.
Given the global emphasis on public health and preventive care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a high demand for immunization nurses.
This can be managed on a flexible schedule or a per diem basis, fitting perfectly with the lifestyle of a travel nurse. It’s an opportunity to contribute to public health initiatives while earning additional income. Serving as an immunization nurse allows for financial gain and a rewarding experience as you play a direct role in disease prevention and community health.
15 Hobby-Related Side Hustles for Nurses
- Craft Seller: If you enjoy crafting, consider selling your handmade items online on platforms such as Etsy.
- Photography: If you have a knack for taking beautiful photos, offer your services for events, portraits, or sell your photos online.
- Baking/Cooking: Turn your love for cooking or baking into a catering service for local events or start a food blog or YouTube channel.
- Fitness Instructor: If you’re passionate about fitness, consider becoming a part-time fitness or yoga instructor.
- Gardening: If you have a green thumb, start a plant care blog, offer gardening classes, or sell what you grow.
- Blogging: Start a blog about a topic you are passionate about. You can earn income through ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing.
- Music Lessons: If you’re a skilled musician, offer lessons in your instrument of choice.
- Personal Shopper/Stylist: If you have a passion for fashion, offer your services as a personal shopper or stylist.
- Pet Sitting/Dog Walking: If you love animals, provide pet sitting or dog walking services. This can be particularly lucrative in urban areas where pet owners often need help to care for their pets due to busy schedules.
- Graphic Design: If you have skills in graphic design, offer your services on freelance platforms. From logo design to promotional materials, graphic designers have many opportunities.
- Language Tutoring: If you’re fluent in a second language, offer language lessons. In the globalized world, language tutors are in high demand.
- Online Course Instructor: If you have a skill or knowledge area others want to learn, consider creating an online course to teach it. Platforms like Udemy or Skillshare make this easy to do.
- Social Media Consultant: If you’re good at creating engaging social media content, consider offering your services to businesses that need help managing their social media presence.
- Real Estate Investment: If you have the capital, consider investing in real estate. You could buy properties to rent out or invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Finding a Work-Life Balance
Travel nursing, while a lucrative and exciting profession, can often be demanding physically and emotionally, especially when juggling additional side hustles. Striking a balance between work and other aspects of life becomes crucial for maintaining one’s health and well-being and preventing professional burnout. Here are a few strategies travel nurses can employ to find a sustainable work-life balance:
Set Clear Boundaries
One of the first steps in achieving work-life balance is to set boundaries. This could mean designating specific hours for your side hustles or taking certain days off completely. It’s important to communicate these boundaries to clients or employers, to manage expectations and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Time Management
Effective time management can help you handle multiple responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed. Prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance. Use digital calendars or task management apps to organize your time effectively.
Incorporate Self-Care
Self-care is a vital part of maintaining a work-life balance. This can include regular exercise, healthy meals, sufficient rest, and time for relaxation and hobbies. Make sure you’re making time for yourself amidst your busy schedule.
Utilize Technology
Use technology to your advantage. Many apps and software solutions can help you manage your commitments, automate tasks, or streamline communication with clients or colleagues, freeing up your time for rest and leisure activities.
Seek Support
Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when needed. This could mean delegating tasks, hiring a virtual assistant, or joining a support group for travel nurses. Remember, it’s not just about managing your work—it’s about managing your life, too.
Pursuing side hustles can be a rewarding way to supplement your income as a travel nurse. However, balancing these responsibilities with self-care and relaxation is crucial to stay healthy, motivated, and satisfied in your career.
Start Your Side Hustle Today
In summary, travel nursing offers numerous opportunities for side hustles, allowing you to increase your income while utilizing your existing skills and passions.
Whether it’s teaching CPR, transcribing medical records, or pursuing a hobby-related venture, these additional income streams can significantly enhance your financial independence.
However, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance and incorporate self-care to ensure longevity and satisfaction in your career.
So, seize the opportunity today and unlock the potential for growth and success in your journey as a travel nurse.
Remember, the freedom to travel is just the first step in exploring this profession’s possibilities.
