15 Ways to Make Extra Money as a Nurse Practitioner While Working Full-Time

Written By: Lauren Jacobson MS, RN, WHNP-BC

If you're a nurse practitioner (NP) working full-time, you may be wondering if you should consider making extra money on the side. There are many benefits to doing so, and in this article, we'll explore why you should consider taking on additional work to supplement your income.

Here we also provide you with 15 ways to make extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time as well as discussing how to easily make extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time with each of the 15 ways…after all, we don’t want you to get burnt out!


RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS

WHY SHOULD YOU MAKE EXTRA MONEY AS A NURSE PRACTITIONER WHILE WORKING FULL-TIME?

1. Financial security

One of the primary reasons to make extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time is financial security. After paying for all those school loans, we all could use a little extra income. While NPs are generally well-compensated, having additional income can provide a safety net in case of unexpected expenses or emergencies. By diversifying your income streams, you can ensure that you're not solely relying on your full-time job for financial stability.

2. Career advancement

Making extra money as an NP can also help you advance your career. By taking on additional work, you'll have the opportunity to develop new skills and gain experience in different areas of healthcare. Not to mention that branching out into other health related fields is a great way to network.

If you are anything like me, you’ll be diversifying your career endlessly. A broad network will only help your career advancement. This can make you a more attractive candidate for promotions or new job opportunities down the line.

Additionally, if you decide to start your own practice or consulting business, having additional income can provide the financial resources you need to get started. This can be a great way to take your career to the next level and achieve greater professional autonomy.

3. Pursue personal goals

Finally, making extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time can help you achieve personal goals outside of work. Whether you're saving up for a down payment on a house, paying off debt, or funding a passion project, having additional income can make these goals more attainable. By creating a side hustle or taking on freelance work, you can create a more flexible work schedule that allows you to prioritize your personal goals.

4. Investing in your future

Another reason to make extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time is to invest in your future. By supplementing your income, you can contribute more to your retirement accounts and other long-term investments. This can help you build wealth and create financial security for your future.

Additionally, having more disposable income can allow you to take advantage of investment opportunities that may not have been possible otherwise. By investing in your future now, you can set yourself up for a more comfortable and secure retirement.

WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY AS A NURSE PRACTITIONER WHILE WORKING FULL-TIME?

(The following are the 15 best ways to make extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time.)

WAY #1: Freelance writing

Freelance writing is a great way to use your expertise as a nurse practitioner to make extra money on the side. There are many healthcare publications and blogs that are in need of quality content written by experienced healthcare professionals. By offering your writing services, you can share your knowledge and insights while also earning extra income.

To get started, you can reach out to healthcare publications or blogs that you're interested in writing for directly. You can also sign up for freelance writing platforms such as Upwork or Freelancer to find clients who are in need of healthcare content. With some persistence and quality writing, you can build a strong portfolio and reputation as a freelance writer. I found nursingprocess.org on LinkedIn!

WAY #2: Medical consulting

As a nurse practitioner, you have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can be valuable to healthcare organizations. By offering your services as a consultant, you can help these organizations improve their operations and patient care while also earning extra income.

If you think you want to try this, reach out to healthcare organizations in your area or search for consulting opportunities online. You can also consider joining a consulting firm that specializes in healthcare. As a medical consultant, you may be asked to provide advice on clinical practices, patient care, and compliance with regulations. With your experience and expertise, you can make a meaningful impact on the healthcare industry while also earning extra income.

WAY #3: Online tutoring

If you enjoy teaching and have a passion for nursing education, online tutoring can be a great way to make extra money as a nurse practitioner while still maintaining flexibility. You can offer your services to nursing students or those preparing for certification exams such as the NCLEX.

To get started, you can advertise your tutoring services on nursing forums or social media platforms. You can also sign up for tutoring platforms such as TutorMe or Wyzant to connect with potential clients. As an online tutor, you can set your own hours and rates, and you can help nursing students achieve their goals while also earning extra income.

WAY #4: Clinical trial participation

Participating in clinical trials as a paid subject can be a unique way to make extra money as a nurse practitioner. As a healthcare professional, you have valuable insights and experiences that can be useful to clinical researchers. You are also more likely to understand the science behind the trial and thus be less worried about the effects of participation.

You can search for clinical trials in your area that are in need of subjects. You can also sign up for clinical trial matching services such as ClinicalTrials.gov or ResearchMatch to find opportunities. As a paid subject, you may be asked to participate in drug trials or other clinical studies.

WAY #5: Telemedicine

Telemedicine has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it can be a great way for nurse practitioners to make extra money on the side. As an NP, you probably already have these skills. By working part-time for an online telemedicine company, you can provide remote patient care to individuals in need. This can contribute to your NP experience and allow you to explore slightly different fields from what you work in full-time.

Searching for telemedicine companies that need nurse practitioners is a good starting point. You can also sign up for telemedicine platforms such as Teladoc or Amwell to connect with patients. As a telemedicine provider, you can work from home or anywhere with an internet connection, and you can set your own hours. With the demand for telemedicine services on the rise, this can be a great way to make extra money and network, while also providing much-needed patient care.

WAY #6: Health coaching

If you have a passion for health and wellness, health coaching can be a great way to make extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time. By offering coaching services to individuals looking to improve their health, you can share your expertise and help others achieve their goals. This will likely have less stress and liability concerns than your full-time NP job as you won’t be treating patients directly, you will be providing advice and coaching.

You can advertise your health coaching services on social media platforms or through word of mouth. You can also consider becoming certified as a health coach through organizations such as the Institute for Integrative Nutrition or the National Society of Health Coaches. As a health coach, you can offer personalized support and guidance to clients looking to improve their nutrition, fitness, and overall wellness. With your expertise and passion for health, you can make a meaningful impact on people's lives.

WAY #7: Medical coding and billing

Medical coding and billing is the process of translating healthcare procedures and diagnoses into codes that can be submitted to insurance companies for payment. As a nurse practitioner, you are already well-versed in coding and billing. You can offer your services as a freelance medical coder and biller to healthcare organizations, insurance companies, or individual healthcare providers.

To get started, you can complete a medical coding and billing certification program to learn the necessary skills and knowledge. You can also search for medical coding and billing opportunities on job boards. As a medical coder and biller, you can work from home or in a healthcare setting, and you can earn a competitive hourly rate or salary.

WAY #8: Medical transcription

Medical transcription is the process of transcribing medical notes and dictation into written documents. Nurse practitioners are experts at medical documentation. You can offer your services as a medical transcriptionist to healthcare organizations, individual healthcare providers, or medical transcription companies.

To get started, you can complete a medical transcription certification program to learn the necessary skills and knowledge that you may still need. You can also search for medical transcription opportunities on job boards. As a medical transcriptionist, you can work from home or in a healthcare setting, and you can earn a competitive hourly rate or salary. This is a great way to make extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time.

WAY #9: Grant writing

Grant writing is the process of applying for funding from government agencies, foundations, and other organizations to support healthcare programs and initiatives. As a nurse practitioner, you have the knowledge and expertise necessary to write compelling grant proposals that can secure funding for healthcare organizations.

If you have not done this before you may need a little extra guidance. Fortunately, there are loads of websites that can provide you with some training in this area. You can also complete a grant writing certification program or take online courses to learn the necessary skills and knowledge. You can also search for grant writing opportunities on job boards such as Indeed or LinkedIn. Freelance websites like UpWork are another great place to search.

As a grant writer, you can work from home or in a healthcare setting, and you can earn a competitive hourly rate or a percentage of the grant funding awarded.

WAY #10: Online course creation

Online course creation is the process of creating educational courses that can be offered online to healthcare professionals and patients. Professionals are always looking to learn from each other, and patients are becoming increasingly autonomous with their healthcare. As a nurse practitioner, you can create high-quality online courses on healthcare topics. You will get satisfaction knowing that your patients are finding accurate health information online.

To get started, you can use online platforms such as Udemy or Teachable to create and sell your courses. You can also market your courses on social media platforms or through word of mouth. As an online course creator, you can work from home and earn passive income from course sales.

Making extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time should also be fun! What better way to expand your skills and creative side than designing your own courses in areas that interest you or that you have identified a knowledge gap in among patients and/or providers.

WAY #11: Medical writing

Medical writing is a specialized field that requires knowledge of healthcare, scientific research, and writing skills. As a nurse practitioner, you have the expertise and experience necessary to write high-quality medical content for healthcare publications, pharmaceutical companies, websites, and other organizations.

You can find medical writing opportunities on job boards and healthcare websites. You can also join organizations such as the American Medical Writers Association or the European Medical Writers Association to network. As a medical writer, you can write articles, reports, and other content on a variety of healthcare topics. With your expertise and writing skills, you can make a meaningful contribution to the healthcare industry while making extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time.

WAY #12: Home healthcare

Home healthcare is a growing field that involves providing healthcare services to patients in their homes. Nurse practitioners are of high value in this field as they can meet patients where they are (both physically and emotionally) and provide a full spectrum of care. This increases patient access to care and is of great benefit to those in recovery or in the older adult population.

To get started, you can work for a home healthcare agency or start your own home healthcare business. You can also advertise your home health care services on social media platforms or through word of mouth. Working per diem as a home health care provider your hourly rate is likely to be more than what you make hourly full-time since you won’t be getting benefits.

WAY #13: Medical product sales

So maybe this isn’t your first option, but it is certainly an option. I say this because if you are anything like me, having medical sales representatives waltz into your clinic every month trying to sell you things wasn’t the highlight of your NP career. However, it may be right for you! There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to side hustles.

Medical product sales involve selling medical products such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or diagnostic tools to healthcare organizations or individual healthcare providers. As a nurse practitioner, you have the knowledge and expertise necessary to sell medical products effectively.

To get started, you can work for a medical product sales company or start your own medical product sales business. Just please, please, PLEASE, make sure it is evidence-based and not a hoax. You can also advertise your medical product sales services on social media platforms or through word of mouth.

As a medical product sales representative, you can work part-time or full-time and earn a competitive commission or salary depending on who you work for and how established the product and/ or brand is.

WAY #14: Medical software testing

Medical software has become an integral part of functioning healthcare systems around the world. If done right, they can make the patient-provider experience more efficient, safe, and cost-effective. However, all the software needs to be tested before it goes on the market.

Medical software testing involves testing software applications used in the healthcare industry to ensure they are functioning correctly. As a nurse practitioner, you have likely used medical software before. These can be electronic medical record (EMR) systems like athenahealth or device related systems such as those for reading heart monitors. Thus, you probably already have many of the skills and knowledge to test medical software applications effectively.

To get started, you can search for medical software testing jobs on job boards such as Indeed or ZipRecruiter. You can also reach out to medical software development companies and offer your services as a software tester. As a medical software tester, you can work from home or in a healthcare setting, and you can earn a competitive hourly rate or salary.

WAY #15: Expert witness testimony

Expert witness testimony can be a lucrative way of making extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time. As an expert witness, NPs can provide their medical expertise in legal cases related to healthcare, such as medical malpractice, personal injury, and workers' compensation. NPs can use their clinical experience and knowledge to review medical records, provide opinions, and testify in court about medical issues relevant to the case.

To become an expert witness, you will likely need additional certification or training. You should obtain certifications in legal nurse consulting, medical-legal consulting, or forensic nursing. These certifications will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the legal system and requirements for expert witness testimony.

Additionally, like with most jobs, networking is a good idea. Building a network of attorneys, law firms, and legal organizations can increase the chances of being hired as an expert witness. NPs can attend legal conferences, participate in online legal forums, and join professional associations to build relationships and establish themselves as credible and reliable experts. This exposure can open you up to future job prospects if you decide to stop working as a nurse practitioner full-time.

Providing expert witness testimony can be a flexible way for you to earn extra income. You can choose to accept cases on a part-time basis, allowing you to make extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time. Expert witness testimony can also provide you with a new challenge and an opportunity to use your expertise in a different setting.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

You could not have come to a better person for information on how to make extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time. I am the poster child for combining a bunch of random health related jobs to make extra money while working full-time.

From taking on extra shifts as an RN and NP and teaching, to freelance writing (as evidenced by what you are currently reading) and starting my own global health business, I have dabbled in most of it. It has not only been to make more money though. I have also wanted to branch out for increased career opportunities as well.

As NPs we can explore many different avenues to supplement income. From telehealth consultations to expert witness testimony, here we presented 15 ways to make extra money as a nurse practitioner while working full-time.

It is important to note that each of these options requires additional effort and time, so it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons before committing to any of them. However, with careful planning and dedication, you can find the perfect side hustle that not only brings in extra income but also enriches your professional experience.