18 Best Side Hustles for Nurse Practitioners in 2025

Written By: Brittney BertagnaBrittney Bertagna, BSN, RN

Brittney Bertagna is currently a nurse and writer in Las Vegas, NV. She grew up in California where she attended California State University, Chico, and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Following her completion of business school, she relocated to Las Vegas to pursue her nursing career, where she completed nursing school and became a registered nurse. Read Full Bio »» , BSN, RN

Whether you are looking to turn a hobby into some extra cash, or want to start working full-time for yourself, there is no better way to get started than a side hustle. This article is here to answer the question: what are the best side hustles for nurse practitioners? Let's see what side hustles you can get started today to gain some certainty in this (still) uncertain time. NPs have such strong working abilities and powerful minds to go beyond their scope of what a typical day brings. Let’s consider a few things before we dive into how you can expand your own knowledge or skillset and potentially make a huge impact on those around you. For those of you looking for more passive income, we have options for you. For those of you interested in teaching or sharing clinical expertise, we have options for you. And last but not least, for those of you who want something completely unrelated to the work you do now, we have options for you. Keep Reading to find out about the 18 best side hustles for nurse practitioners in 2025.

Can a Nurse Practitioner Have a Side Hustle?

ABSOLUTELY! That being said, take the time to consider what will be realistic for your individual situation. Having a side job as a nurse practitioner can free up time and money for future plans and allow you to do the things you want. That being said, it is always best practice to check with your current job contract to ensure you are not violating any things. A great place to start your journey to finding a great side hustle is to check your states’ NP scope of practice to ensure your qualifications match what you are looking for, but this can also spike your own personal interest in giving you ideas of where to utilize your knowledge to the best of your abilities. And if you ever have specific questions, you can always reach out to your specific state board of nursing.

3 Advantages of Having a Side Hustle as a Nurse Practitioner

There are so many advantages to side hustles for nurse practitioners. Too many to list all of them in the article. But we can start you off with three of the best reasons to start a side hustle as a nurse practitioner.

(1). Make extra money as a nurse practitioner! Or loan repayment money, money for whatever you need it for. Making extra money as a nurse practitioner will give you the opportunity to do more of what you want to do later down the road. It might be to pay off your student loans or save for a big purchase.
(2). Mentally. Having more money can relieve stress around your personal life. This may also be your opportunity to have enough financial stability to be able to leave an uncomfortable working condition or not feel stuck in a job you hate for whatever reason.
(3). Expand your skillset to better serve your patients. Starting a side hustle within your immediate field might benefit others more than yourself. This fits in line with why many of you become a nurse practitioner in the first place. This too can make you a more marketable NP in the future.

3 Disadvantages of Having a Side Hustle as a Nurse Practitioner

While there are many advantages to side hustles for nurse practitioners, there is also the potential for a few downsides to nurse practitioner side jobs.

(1). More time spent at work. The time it can take to begin a side hustle as a working nurse practitioner can be a lot. Chances are, you’re reading this article because you have already considered this.
(2). The time you invest in a side hustle might be taking time away from other things you enjoy and that alone might be enough for you to not want it.
(3). Financially it might not be worth it to you. If you’re looking to start a small business there are likely finances that are required to start this and we understand not everyone has this luxury. Along these same lines, some side hustles don’t pay well. You’re putting all this extra time, money, energy into something that you might not enjoy and not being paid enough to make a financial difference in your life. It is up to you to decide if this is something you would like to pursue, but most people find that the time invested is worth it in the end.

What are the Best Side Hustles for Nurse Practitioners in 2025?

(Learn about 18 Best Side Hustles for Nurse Practitioners that you can start in your spare time to earn some extra money.)

1. Private tutoring

About the Hustle:

One of the best side hustles for nurse practitioners is private tutoring. There are always students struggling in one subject or another. Taking this and pairing it with your advanced degree and beautiful understanding of the education system, you have yourself a very successful business venture. High School students are always looking for help, but the real money can be made by tutoring college students or more specifically nursing students. These students will already have the motivation and will be looking for someone like you to help them through their academics. Did you pass the NCLEX-RN or your NP certification exam with flying colors? Consider helping others study and prepare for it.

How to Get Started:

A lot of your consistent business will be by word of mouth so getting started can be a little slow. Reach out to old professors or on social media letting people know you are willing and able to tutor a variety of different subjects. Finding a tutoring company like Wyzant can get you clients and have some pre-existing policies, but might not pay as well since the company is taking a portion of your hourly rate. Begin by deciding if you are wanting to tutor in person, online, or having either as an option. Both have pros and cons to consider, but this will be a very common question.

Earning Potential:

$30-75/hr. Varies depending on the subject, level, and company.

2. Assistant Teaching/Lab instructor/Clinical

About the Hustle:

One of the best side hustles for nurse practitioners is to become an adjunct professor, lab instructor, or clinical supervisor for NP students. This opportunity can be a great way to stay up on your own knowledge and skills and be a great resource for students since you are someone working in the field. You can be a nice bridge between the textbook and the real world. Some programs will have the materials that you will be teaching including powerpoints and assignments which will decrease the amount of prep you will have to do, but others might give you the freedom to structure and present as you see fit. Keep that in mind when diving deeper into this option.

How to Get Started:

Contact the programs in your area to see if they are looking for additional staff to help. Have a subject or specialty in mind that you are most interested in teaching, but be flexible with what might realistically be available for you to teach. See if there are any online programs looking for additional academic support for their students. This may be something you can do from home.

Earning Potential:

From job posts I’ve seen you can expect to make anywhere from $50-70/hr.

3. Ghost Writing/Blogging

About the Hustle:

Ghostwriting and blogging can be a profitable nurse practitioner side hustle. Writers are overwhelmed with the amount of content they are expected to produce and are always looking for help. If you enjoy writing, consider this option! The schedules will be flexible and you are given writing assignments to complete when you have the time to do it. As an NP your knowledge and insight into a variety of different fields will make a huge difference in the way we can use blog posts for accurate information. Most will give you the title, outline, number of words, and some key phrases to include. The rest is up to you.

How to Get Started:

Contact like-minded people on Linkedin you enjoy and see if they are in need of help. Contact an agency and see if they are looking to hire ghostwriters. Or take a course and learn more about the opportunities available to you. You will be surprised at how many people are needing help.

Earning Potential:

Varies greatly. Some freelance writers are paid per word, some are paid per project.

4. Photography

About the Hustle:

Photography is a great nurse practitioner side hustle. Do you love taking pictures and have a smartphone with a decent camera? Do you love taking pictures? Start a photography business or start selling photos online as a nurse practitioner side hustle. The holiday season is a great time to start but also think about other times of the year where you might be busy if your business picks up. Will you be able to do engagement photoshoots or maybe you are a talented pet photographer? Whatever it is, it can all be started at a low cost with the ever-improving cameras on our cell phones.

How to Get Started:

Are all of your friends having babies? Offer to take and edit photos at a discounted price to build your portfolio. Think about the family photos and holiday cards people are expecting to send out. Stay open-minded and continue to be innovative. Take great pictures and want to expand from there? Add the photographs to ornaments or learn how to frame them nicely to increase your income.

Earning Potential:

$50-$150/ service + price of products depending on what you are selling and how you are marketing it.

5. IV infusion/hydration

About the Hustle:

Working at an IV infusion center can allow you to make some money within a smaller scope to limit your stress or time commitment. Depending on the setting, these patients are in need of IV hydration or a quick vitamin injection. It really depends on the state you are practicing in and the facility you are working at, but job duties could include starting and stopping peripheral IV lines, access ports, or educating patients on how to care for their newly acquired line. These patients are presenting to you for a very specific reason with orders from a previous provider. This takes a lot of the leg work away from you and you are back to a more task-oriented job. There are also options of working at the homes of your patients which might be a good option for you.

How to Get Started:

Start by understanding what the job will include in your day-to-day life. Some in-home services will include a lot of traveling but can be beneficial if you don’t mind driving and like the more intimate care. Drip Hydration is one example of what an IV hydration service could look like, but there are plenty of other companies that provide the same and similar services.

Earning Potential:

There are many opportunities for nurse practitioner side hustles in this category of nursing. Since NPs can write their own orders they can be efficiently utilized in this type of environment. The earning potential here depends on a whole number of factors including job duties and responsibilities, the scope of practice in your state, and the company you are working for.

6. Per Diem Shifts

About the Hustle:

Finding per-diem work can always be a great nurse practitioner side hustle. Working per-diem or on-call can allow you to work extra when you want to and not work when you do not want to. Most per-diem jobs open up their shifts after the full-time and part-time staff have already been assigned to their normal shifts allowing you to pick and choose what works for you. Given the higher pay and more consistent income, this may be the best side hustle for a nurse practitioner to get.

How to Get Started:

See if the hospital you already work for has a per-diem opening in a different discipline or department. You already know the company and they already know you. This can be an easy place to start and give you a different perspective when working in your main department. Getting a per-diem job elsewhere can also be a good place to look because they are looking specifically for people who have experience and will need limited training.

Earning Potential:

This earning potential also varies depending on many factors like job description, patient and workload, and specialty. Here is a good breakdown of nurse practitioner per diem hourly rates depending on the state that you are in.

7. Health Coach

About the Hustle:

Take your expertise and share it with others who may be struggling to grasp simple concepts with regards to their condition. Take what you already know about healthcare and turn it into a nurse practitioner side job. Some people may need help managing their diabetes and are out of ideas about what to do. Some people may need your support in reducing their BMI. You can help them with evidence-based research. This could be one of the best side jobs for nurse practitioners because of the broad range of knowledge and ability to talk and explain to others in a more user-friendly manner. As a health coach, you will be working with individuals or small groups to help them achieve their goals in a variety of different areas of their life. Rather than having people clutter clinics and hospitals with otherwise minor concerns, you will help them become empowered to be able to care for themselves when appropriate, be more aware of their bodies, and prevent them from wasting time and money during their doctors and hospital visits.

How to Get Started:

Research different companies and find one that works best with your skillset and aligns with your core values. There are many different companies and not all are created equally. Take the time to truly understand the scope which you will be expected to perform. Take a look at this article to gain more understanding. It has a great summary and more information about how to get started in the field of health coaching.

Earning Potential:

There is a lot of room to work for yourself in this category. Because of that it is very hard to put an exact dollar amount per hour. If you are an NP with an entrepreneurial spirit this might be the right path for you.

8. Flu shot/COVID-19 vaccines or testing

About the Hustle:

Taking advantage of the need for increased staff during flu season can be one of the best side hustles for nurse practitioners. There are clinics and testing centers all overlooking for staff to help out. Though it might be temporary, these are great places to earn some extra money. Seasonal flu-shot employees can free up money and time in other parts of the year and allow you to stay more available during off-seasons. Getting involved with COVID-19 vaccines or testing can give you a very straightforward, task-oriented place to earn some money.

How to Get Started:

See if there are additional opportunities within the organization you already work for. Many health care organizations or medical facilities will have an inside connection with others who are in need of extra staff. Take advantage of these opportunities to earn the extra money while it is still an option. Healthcare is ever-changing and though it may seem never-ending, the opportunity is now.

Earning Potential:

From personal experience, most jobs do not pay substantially well for flu shot clinics, but the COVID-19 climate may have changed that for COVID vaccination jobs.

9. Outdoor Event Medical Teams

About the Hustle:

Another great nurse practitioner side hustle is outdoor events and summer camps. They are always looking for medical staff to help in providing a safe and comfortable place to have fun. Temporary outdoor events can be a very flexible way to get outside and make some money. Summer camps are also always looking for medical staff to be available for children in need of medical attention. Temporary and seasonal work are great options to consider when you're looking for a way to earn some extra money. You don't have to commit to anything long term which can make it easier to get through the extra hours, that are already on top of your full-time schedule.

How to Get Started:

Finding a company to begin with may be tricky, but once you find one in your area it might be a nice change in working environment. Start by checking concert venues, sporting complexes, stadiums, or local event calendars to see what might be in need of help. If there is a specific population you are interested in working with, look up camps or events that are organized with those people in mind.

Earning Potential:

Outdoor events typically pay per event or per hour but it varies based on the event and hours needed. Summer camps typically include a one-time stipend for compensation.

10. Start a Mentoring Business for RN or NP Students

About the Hustle:

A great way to make extra money as a nurse practitioner is to start your own mentoring business to help nursing students. Remember when you were in nursing school and you felt like you had no idea what you were doing or where to begin or what to do next? That’s where you come in. Be the person others can come to for advice and mentoring along the way. Are you good at writing? Offer services in applications to edit personal statements or responses to supplemental questions. Do you love the interview process? Set up individualized meetings for mock interviews with feedback. Are you great at helping others make connections through internships or job searching? Offer services on how others can improve their networking skills.

How to Get Started:

Similar to starting your own tutoring business, this might take some time to gain a significant number of clients but it has the potential to be one of the best side hustles for nurse practitioners. Take a look at different small businesses that are looking to expand and see if you might be a good fit. Otherwise, start one yourself. This can be a great/flexible opportunity to do what you love and help the next generation of registered nurses or nurse practitioners. Share their excitement about just starting out and be able to share your experience and expertise in the area. Appointment Scheduling Software is a great place to set services, prices, and availability and gives you a link to share where you see fit. Start with social media or at your alma mater since you already have a rapport with your network of contacts.

Earning Potential:

Very flexible. $30-100+ per service or package, but is very individualized and dependent on what you are willing to charge for your services.

11. Legal Nurse Consulting (LNC)

About the Hustle:

This is a position not as well known when it comes to the nursing field. I’m sure you didn’t go through NP school to sit behind a computer and assess and evaluate medical outcomes with regards to the legality of it. Well, now you might be considering it as a great possibility to use your working experience and combine it with your foundational understanding of laws and regulations to earn some money. You can work in a variety of clinical settings and may be expected to interview patients, legal staff, or more complex procedures interpreting medical jargon to chronologically depict a series of events and ensure accurate representation for those involved.

How to Get Started:

Most positions are through contracted agencies in order to resist unfair conditions and to attempt to provide the most accurate and unbiased outcomes. For more information – AALNC: What is an LNC? is a great resource for how to get started. The first step in becoming an LNC is to earn a certification. This can also be found on the link above as a gateway to furthering your qualifications and becoming a more desirable candidate for future positions.

Earning Potential:

Here is a breakdown of earnings per state for legal nurse consultants.

12. Advice/Telemed Nursing

About the Hustle:

Now that it seems like everything is online, now is the perfect time to get pay attention to side hustles for nurse practitioners that are online-based. Some things will never change, but many things appear to be sticking around a bit longer. Advice nursing at a call center via phone call or a telemed position from your home might be exactly what you are looking for. Typically these positions will give you guidelines, nursing protocols, and flowsheets to follow in order to give the most up-to-date advice possible. There should always be doctors to contact if you have further questions, but you are typically working independently and expected to understand the medical emergencies to look out for. With Telemedicine some appointments are even scheduled to provide you with an even better understanding of what the patient is in need of.

How to Get Started:

Conducting research on the company you want to work for can help you determine if this side hustle is for you. They are not all created equally and some may have better wages, a more flexible work schedule, or more regular hours depending on your wants and needs. Make sure you have the required technology prior to accepting any position. With the ever-growing telehealth community, some companies are requiring specific software or computer programming that may or may not be easily accessible to you.

Earning Potential:

In my experience, these types of jobs are very company-specific. It all depends on many things like how the business is structured, the culture of the current employees.

13. Teaching Certification Courses

About the Hustle:

Another nurse practitioner side hustle is teaching certification courses to your peers. Big companies or hospital organizations are always looking for those willing and able to teach BLS/ACLS/PALS etc. courses for their staff or others interested. These courses can be very flexible with your own schedule and are a great side hustle for nurse practitioners. As you are well aware, the list of certificates to keep up to date is never-ending. Be a part of this process and potentially get a discounted rate when you take courses of your own.

How to Get Started:

If you love gaining new certificates on the job then this might be one of the best side hustles for you as a nurse practitioner. Find a certification program looking for instructors. Check community college listings to see what courses are offered through their school system. There are a lot of community colleges that offer certifications including EMT, CNA, or basic first aid/CPR.

Earning Potential:

In my experience, I have seen course instructors paid per class for BLS/ACLS/PALS courses but hourly for EMT or CNA classes. (averages out to $25-$40/hour)

14. Concierge Medicine

About the Hustle:

Concierge medicine is also referred to as retainer medicine, or membership medicine, as well as many other names and, is rapidly growing in popularity. There are a few different business models associated with this form of medicine and I would encourage you to research each individually to understand what options you have and what you might be missing. Within this profession, you will be treating patients who might be paying a single membership fee or pay per service provided. Again this is dependent on which business model you are most comfortable joining. The main idea of this hustle is to utilize your NP expertise and improve the care which our patients are receiving while gaining new access to healthcare than they ever had before.

How to Get Started:

For a general overview and to begin diving into the details here. This is a more involved option for a side hustle, but the outcome can be more impactful than any other option listed here. You are both providing care for those in need and able to earn a substantial income. There are companies you can join to help provide guidance within this position.

Earning Potential:

This side hustle has a wide range of income.

15. Medical Device Education

About the Hustle:

Whether it is hospital staff or training patients to learn how to use a new medical device, medical device education is a great side hustle for nurse practitioners. Maybe there are newer, more cost-efficient ways to do the same job you have been doing for years? Maybe there is a more expensive product, but takes the time it takes to do the task in half? Typically you are responsible for the education only, not for the sales portion of the device. This can be a great option for additional cash to keep up with your skills and the latest technology.

How to Get Started:

It’s only a matter of finding a company looking for new clinical educators and there are many! Indeed.com is a good place to start, but I would also recommend networking through your current employer and see if you can speak with whoever does this position for your hospital.

Earning Potential:

From the jobs I have seen it is possible to make $50+/hr in a position like this.

16. Renting space short term/long term for traveling RNs

About the Hustle:

Whether you live in a city destination or on the outskirts of a county town, renting out a space for short-term rentals can be a great side hustle for a nurse practitioner. Also consider more long-term rental spaces for traveling RNs, which allows for more consistent income. Travel nurses are used to the lifestyle of working as many hours as they can handle in a week and then spending their off-time exploring the new town they are currently living in. You know they have a steady income with an already agreed-upon living stipend and offering a flexible lease can leave the renter feeling better if their contract suddenly ends. Not being committed to a strict three-month lease is a lot of worry off of some people's shoulders.

How to Get Started:

If you’re looking at short-term rentals, start with listing on Airbnb or Vrbo. You can also try a company called Evolve who takes care of much more for you including managing and setting up cleaning services and all of the advertising needed.

Earning Potential:

$50-$200 per night for short-term rentals or $900-$2000 per month for longer-term rentals (very dependent on location).

17. Sell things on Etsy

About the Hustle:

Making a hobby into an income can be one of the best side jobs for nurse practitioners. What hobbies could you turn into income? Have you been thinking about a project or idea for a long time now? Let’s make money from it. Selling things on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace can be a great way to do what you already love to do and make some money from it. This is why this is one of the best side hustles for nurse practitioners. You spend your extra time doing a hobby and you have the flexibility to charge whatever you want. The holiday season is the perfect time to start!

How to Get Started:

This is probably the easiest one on the list being it is so individualized. Keep doing what you love to do and start charging people for it. With the holidays coming up, this is your perfect time to brainstorm and hit the ground running. Think about the holiday-themed things you could make and sell.

Earning Potential:

$4-$500+/project.

18. Manage social media accounts

About the Hustle:

Managing social media accounts can be one of the best side hustles for nurse practitioners, especially if you already love social media. Social media is becoming more and more informational, proactive, and sustainable in today’s society. You may be one who is particularly savvy when it comes to social media and this could be an excellent side hustle for you. Some accounts may be looking for someone to post and reply within one specific social media account, while others want you to be in charge of all social platforms. Whatever it may be, there are jobs out there for you to consider if you prefer to spend the majority of your time on social media.

How to Get Started:

Reach out to well-known accounts on social media that you would like to work for. Do your research on what services are typically desired and make sure you are able to do and commit to those. Some larger social media accounts may advertise on employee search engines or post directly on social media, asking their followers for help, so it always pays to follow the companies you would enjoy working with because you never know when they might be seeking help.

Earning Potential:

Will vary depending on what you are responsible for and how big the following is.

5 Ways To Know Which Nurse Practitioner Side Hustle is Right for You

In answering these 5 questions, you will have a good idea of which side hustles for nurse practitioners are right for you and which ones you are likely to shy away from.

1. What interests do you have?
2. How do you enjoy spending your time?
3. Which side hustle will you naturally have the most success with?
4. Do I need the money now or am I willing to wait for your business to get going?
5. Am I looking for something consistent or something more seasonal or occasional?

Finally, Is It Worth Having a Side Hustle as a Nurse Practitioner?

YES! It is absolutely worth understanding your options when it comes to side hustles for nurse practitioners. The question remains “what are the best side hustles for nurse practitioners?” After careful evaluation, I am confident you will find something you love and that works for you. I hope these 18 best side hustles for nurse practitioners in 2025 will help you to get started in your next endeavor.