10 Most Flexible Nursing Jobs (That Also Pay Well)
Written By:
Donna Reese
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing. She utilizes her personal experiences to write from the heart to apply to her writing for various health publications, including BLOGS, newsletters, and educational materials and videos. Read Full Bio »» MSN, RN, CSN
Are you seeking a flexible nursing job that pays well? If so, keep reading. Here I answer the question, “What are the most flexible nursing jobs?”
Although nursing jobs have a reputation for inflexibility, there are lucrative options in the workforce that allow you to control many aspects of your job such as schedule, patient load, environment, and workflow.
Finding a position that can accommodate your family and life needs can be a challenge. However, this article will give you essential details on the 10 most flexible nursing jobs that also pay well and will open your eyes to a less restrictive career future.
What are the Most Flexible Nursing Jobs?
(The following are the 10 most flexible nursing jobs that also pay well.)
JOB #1: Per Diem
About The Job:
Nurses who choose to work per diem mainly do so because they know this option is among the most flexible nursing jobs that also pay well.
As a per diem nurse, you work in a hospital or health facility. You choose the days and shifts that you want to work. If there is a need for a nurse on the days that you are available, you work. You are only paid for the hours that you work, which does not include other perks such as holidays off and comp time.
You can work in your department of choice. However, a willingness to work in numerous departments increases your chances for work.
Some nurses work per diem as their primary job while others choose this option as a
side job to supplement their income.
Requirements to Get This Job:
You need to be an ADN or BSN nurse to work per diem. To be comfortable as a float per diem nurse, you should have a minimum of 1-2 years direct clinical experience, although it is not required.
Earning Potential:
Per diem nurses make an average hourly rate of $42.
JOB #2: Travel Nursing
About The Job:
The travel nurse industry offers a lucrative option for nurses who are seeking the ultimate job that offers flexibility. In this role, you choose where and when you want to work. Assignments can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months allowing nurses the choice that suits them best.
As a
travel nurse, you can work in a hospital or other in-patient facility or ambulatory care. Due to the nursing shortage and demand for nurses, travel nurses earn top pay and generous sign-on bonuses making this position one of the most flexible nursing jobs that also pay well.
Requirements to Get This Job:
You can be a travel nurse with an ADN or BSN degree. All RNs must be licensed in the state where they will be working or be a part of the
Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.
Due to the necessity for travel nurses to integrate quickly into new work environments, it is
required that nurses in this role have at least one to 2 years of direct clinical care experience.
Earning Potential:
Travel RNs earn $59/hour on average plus sign-on bonuses (where applicable).
JOB #3: Freelance Nurse
About The Job:
As a freelance nurse, you are your own boss and can work in a wide variety of jobs, when you choose.
You can even own a nursing business. There are hundreds of nurse-owned business ideas that may interest you, such as nurse job coaching, online course creation, childbirth coaching, and
concierge nursing.
Another option is to sign up with a nursing agency and work when you want. Or find a position that suits your needs and sign up on a contractual basis. As a freelancer, you are not beholden to any job, thus you can work more than one position and move and change roles as you desire.
Requirements to Get This Job:
It is advised that you have a skillset and experience in the areas of job interest. Although you can be either an ADN or BSN nurse, some roles are taken more seriously if you are certified as a specialist in your field.
Earning Potential:
The earning potential for a freelance nurse is similar to that of RNs across the US, which is $42/hour. Many nurse
entrepreneurial businesses have potential for higher earnings.
JOB #4: Writer
About The Job:
Nurse writers will agree that this type of work can be one of the most flexible nursing jobs that also pay well. As a nurse writer, you can typically take your work with you on vacation and traveling or leave it at home if you want.
If you are freelancing in this role, you have increased freedom to pick and choose assignments, accept or reject clients and deadlines, and generally work when and where you want.
You can write for health agencies, marketing groups, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, government agencies, educational companies, or nursing and health journals/sites.
Content can include educational and nursing matters, marketing materials, blogs and journal articles, research papers, instruction manuals, plus much more.
Requirements to Get This Job:
Nurse writers need to possess good writing skills. However, they do not need to be expert writers or English majors. Having a credential as an RN (either BSN or ADN) gives them the knowledge and clout to write health and medical content.
Earning Potential:
The average yearly salary for a nurse writer is $81,001.
JOB #5: Health Coach
About The Job:
Health coaches help clients to realize their best health potential. Areas of client concern are commonly the need for weight loss, smoking cessation, exercise, anxiety, and self-preservation.
In this role, health coaches come alongside their clients to analyze areas of need, develop a plan for optimum success, and support them along the way. You can work as a health coach in businesses, health organizations, insurance companies, community centers, or on your own as a nurse-owned business.
Many health coaches
work from home and can schedule client appointments to work around their personal needs.
Requirements to Get This Job:
Health coaches are not always nurses, although we are perfectly suited for this profession. Thus an associate’s degree in nursing or a BSN is acceptable for this role.
Health coaches do require the ability to analyze a client’s current situation and formulate a health plan for success. An encouraging demeanor helps keep clients on track with their goals.
Some employers require that a health coach possess a health coaching
certificate.
Earning Potential:
Nurse health coaches make an average hourly wage of $32/hour.
JOB #6: Telehealth Nurse
About The Job:
As a
telehealth nurse, you can perform many of the same duties as an office nurse. RNs can conduct assessments and interviews, office visits, and patient education via Zoom or by phone. You may monitor patient care utilizing in-home patient equipment such as blood pressure monitors and glucometers.
Telehealth nurses typically work remotely from home. This convenient perk is why telehealth nursing is one of the most flexible nursing jobs that also pays well.
Telehealth nurses may screen patient calls and provide triage and medical advice for urgent care providers. You may work all shifts although many telehealth positions are during day office hours. In this capacity, you may be hired in any specialty such as psych, orthopedics, and pediatrics.
Requirements to Get This Job:
You need to be an ADN or BSN nurse for telehealth jobs. There are no other specific requirements. However, many employers prefer nurses with some clinical or direct experience to work in a remote capacity.
Earning Potential:
Telehealth nurses earn a similar wage to onsite nurses. For example, the average annual salary for a remote psychiatric nurse is $106,902, which is the same for an onsite psych RN.
JOB #7: Private Duty
About The Job:
Private duty nurses work one-on-one with patients to care for their health needs. In this capacity, assignments can be in patient homes, a hospital or long-term care facility, or a school. Private duty nurses are typically employed by a medical staffing agency. Also, some freelance nurses provide private care.
Private RNs typically work an 8 to 12-hour shift providing for needs such as bathing, feeding, medication, and treatments. Many times, nurses are needed around the clock. You can private for all ages, including newborns.
Private duty assignments may be long-term or for a few days. In this role, you have the freedom to pick and choose your assignments. Also, while on duty, you may experience some slow periods while your charge is resting.
Requirements to Get This Job:
Requirements to be a private duty RN may vary from agency to agency. However, an ADN or BSN is acceptable. It is recommended that a nurse have at least one year of clinical experience before working as a private duty nurse.
Earning Potential:
Private duty RNs make $73,917/year on average.
JOB #8: Medical/Pharmaceutical Sales
About The Job:
Working in medical/pharmaceutical sales can be one of the most flexible nursing jobs that also pay well as the work is not in a structured hospital environment. Many times, you are on the road visiting clients. This work schedule may afford time in between appointments to pick up a Starbucks or do a little shopping. This kind of freedom while working is unheard of in most other nursing jobs.
Working in sales can be a refreshing change for a nurse as you are at liberty to arrange your own schedule to some degree.
As a sales representative, you are responsible for educating and selling the product that you represent. You may sell to providers, hospitals, and patients. Products may include durable medical supplies, medical devices and apps, and medication.
Requirements to Get This Job:
Medical/pharmaceutical sales reps need to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (or other related field). Most importantly, you need to be an excellent communicator and be driven towards excellence. Previous sales experience is a plus.
Earning Potential:
$72,525 is the average yearly salary for a medical/pharmaceutical sales rep.
JOB #9: Utilization Review
About The Job:
A job as a utilization review (UR) nurse can be either on-site or remote. Job duties may include reviewing medical bills for reasonable and related charges and preadmission authorization. You will be in frequent contact with insurance companies, hospital personnel, providers, billing departments, therapy services, medical durable product suppliers, patients, and attorneys.
UR nurses work regular daylight hours and enjoy a
less stressful work environment than many other nursing jobs. In this role, you have the flexibility to take your full lunch and are not guilted when you have to leave for an emergency at home. If you must come in a few minutes late or leave early, your employer typically understands.
Some UR nurses work hybrid or remotely.
Requirements to Get This Job:
You can become a UR nurse by earning a BSN and gaining 2-5 years of hospital experience. UR nurses need to possess strong communication and negotiation skills, along with decision-making and assertive abilities.
Earning Potential:
The average yearly salary for a utilization review nurse is $87,946.
JOB #10: Nurse Navigator
About The Job:
Nurse navigators serve as patient advocates and an intermediary between the patient, provider, hospital, and insurance company. You will work with patients with chronic, complex, or life-threatening illness. Nurse navigators are integral medical team members who help to ensure a smooth and cost-effective patient journey and outcome.
Your job will involve much patient education, support, coordination of care, and outreach for both the patient and family.
This role can be remote or hybrid. Since most of the job is accomplished via phone, many of your tasks can be organized around your needs.
To be a nurse navigator, you need a BSN and strong communication skills. For this job, 5 years of experience in the specialty area where you will work is required.
Earning Potential:
Nurse navigators make an average wage of $82,498/year.
My Final Thoughts
I am very grateful for the flexibility that my nursing career has allowed me. When my aging parents needed me to care for them, I had to pivot in my career. Thankfully, my employer allowed me to work per diem before I eventually decided to become a freelance nurse. Now I write and take on private duty cases as I choose.
So, what are the most flexible nursing jobs? As you can see there are at least 10 most flexible nursing jobs that also pay well. In reality, there are a multitude of versatile lucrative nursing jobs that may fit nicely with your current life circumstances, needs, and desires. You just need to step outside of the traditional “nurse job” box and find what works best for you.
Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.