10 Best Nursing Jobs For Moms (That Pay Well)


Written By: Donna ReeseDonna 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


I once had a fabulous nursing job where I quickly climbed the career ladder. Being promoted time and time again by my employer was incredibly satisfying. Knowing that I was doing a great job and was appreciated at work made me feel worthwhile. I have to admit that this position also stroked my ego. However, the bigger my title (and paycheck), the more travel was required for this job.

At this time, I had 2 daughters in grade school and a husband who worked long hours. Having 2 busy working parents was not an optimal family scenario. When I began missing out on my girls' school and sporting events due to work conflicts, I knew I needed to re-evaluate my career. What started as a local home health job had turned into a full-time plus mega job that kept me away from what was most important- my family.

I realized I needed a job change to allow me to spend precious time with my family. So, I asked myself, “What are the best nursing jobs for moms that pay well?”

During those years, I would have loved to have read an article such as this one that gives job ideas for working nurse mothers. Knowing that you can combine a nursing career and motherhood is a relief for those who need or want to work. Here, I explore the 10 best nursing jobs for moms that pay well. This article will help nurse moms (and dads) find an RN position that will suit both your home and professional needs.



What are the Best Nursing Jobs for Moms That Pay Well?

(The following are the 10 best nursing jobs for moms that pay well.)


JOB #1: School Nurse


About The Job:

School nursing is a rewarding career, although there is more to it than meets the eye. States and school districts differ on the requirements for a school nurse. Some jobs even require that you have an MSN with a school nurse certification.

School nurses are responsible for the health and safety of their young charges and, at times, the staff. In this role, you will work with children with chronic illnesses such as cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and asthma. You may pass out dozens of medications each day, care for sick children, and tend to injuries. You may also serve medically complex children, such as those with cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and quadriplegia. School nurses provide tube feedings, O2 administration, catheterization, and Picc-line care.

Why this is a Great Job for Moms:

My solution to my working mom dilemma was to become a school nurse. The hours perfectly matched the time that my children were in school. I worked day office hours, no weekends or holidays, and was off in the summer. I had the same school days off as my kids and could even stay home on snow days.

If working in the same district as your children, you have an added perk. You can keep an eye on your children's activities, know their friends, and have the inside scoop on the teachers and workings of the school.

My long career as a school nurse is proof that this choice is one of the best nursing jobs for moms that pay well.

Potential Earnings:

According to Salary.com, school nurses earn an average of $55,501. However, certified school nurses make a higher-than-average wage in this profession. With summers off, school nursing is worthwhile.


JOB #2: Office Nurse


About The Job:

Many times, office nurses work during the day. Although there may be an occasional evening, you will never need to work holidays and most weekends. Pediatricians, PCPs, and specialists such as cardiologists can employ nurses to work in medical offices. You may administer immunizations and treatments, assist the provider with exams and procedures, and perform patient education and follow-up care.

Why this is a Great Job for Moms:

It is common for an office nurse's work environment to be more personalized than in a hospital. The staff can become close and supportive, and you may develop satisfying relationships. As an office nurse, you will not feel like just a number; therefore, your scheduling needs are important to your employer. In instances where you need to leave early to pick up a sick child or attend a Valentine's school party, your co-workers may fill in for you.

In this scenario, your needs are essential to the employer, which is a relief when balancing children and a job. Working office hours is ideal for many nurse moms.

Potential Earnings:

The average US pay for an office RN is $68,660 (ZipRecruiter).


JOB #3: Hospital Nurse


About The Job:

Hospital nursing positions are still the best nursing jobs for moms that pay well. You might be thinking, “What? No way. Hospital nursing is the worst job for a working mom!” Some may agree. However, working moms have children of different ages with various home situations. Hospital positions offer a variety of work schedule options that can fit most needs.

These offerings include 3 12-hour shifts, weekends only, and 2nd and 3rd shift-only options. For moms who want to spend more days at home, 3 12-hour shifts a week will meet that criterion. For those who cannot afford full-time childcare fees, working weekends or a non-day shift may help to ease that burden.

For example, my first job upon graduating from my BSN program was as a pediatric nurse in a rural hospital. We had a baby daughter and lived far from family. We struggled to meet our bills as my husband had gone back to college full-time.

We realized that we had to work out an inexpensive childcare solution, so I worked when my husband was not in school. With this divide-and-conquer approach, we could cover childcare between the 2 of us. The obvious solution was for me to work a permanent 3-11 shift at our local hospital. He attended classes early in the day and then took over at home in the evenings when I left for my shift. As a young couple, it was a challenging arrangement, but we successfully managed those early years.

Why this is a Great Job for Moms:

As the example above exemplifies, hospital nurses can often find a schedule that can work around the needs of the family. As we enter different stages in our parenting lives, these needs may shift and change. With various options, hospitals may be willing to accommodate working moms as our scheduling demands evolve. Plus, savvy hospitals are becoming increasingly creative and flexible with scheduling, which benefits a busy mom.

Potential Earnings:

Per ZipRecruiter, the average US hospital RN salary is $87,868 annually.


JOB #4: Camp Nurse


About The Job:

If you enjoy fun, adventure, and kids, try camp nursing. This position typically involves a minimum of one week at a camp overnight, where you provide nursing care for the injuries and illnesses of the little campers (and staff). Depending on the type of camp you choose, you may be the only medical person on staff at the camp.

I have worked at camps that specialize in the following:

• Horseback riding
• Boy and Girl Scouts
• Church
• Adventure
• Ventilator-dependent children
• Diabetes
• Children with specialized medical and intellectual needs
• Asthma


I have friends who worked at skiing and sports camps. There are also music, art, and education offerings. The camp nurse possibilities are extensive.

Why this is a Great Job for Moms:

There is one big reason why many RN moms choose to work as camp nurses. The secret draw for this job is that you can often bring your kids to the camp, and they can attend for free while you work!

Many nurse moms intentionally seek out jobs at desirable camps for their children. They have learned that this option can incorporate work and childcare. The camp nurse job may actually be of secondary importance. This option is particularly beneficial if you have a shy child who has trouble detaching from their mamma but would benefit from a camp experience. The bonus of free camp tuition is why I have added this option as one of the best nursing jobs for moms that pay well.

Potential Earnings:

Camp nursing pay varies widely. However, according to ZipRecruiter, the average weekly wage for an RN camp nurse is $1544.


JOB #5: Per Diem


About The Job:

We all know that being a mom while working as a nurse can create havoc on our employer's carefully planned schedule. It seems as if home and child problems and conflicts arise regularly. Between sick kids, dentist and doctor appointments for multiple people, and “can’t miss” kid events, it is impossible to meet the expectations of a job. And the more kids that you have, the harder it is to juggle it all successfully.

We all aim to be dependable employees, but when working and caring for a family, this goal is sometimes impossible.

Fortunately, some hospitals and agencies have caught onto nurses' scheduling needs and offer per diem options. Working per diem is a day-to-day schedule that you create. You are not hemmed in by a regular scheduling structure such as full-time 7-3 or weekends-only alternatives. You choose which day and shift you want to work. You may even be able to find options to work partial shifts. As a per diem nurse, you can work in any hospital department and, often, in ambulatory care.

Per diem shifts are offered by many hospitals. There are also per diem agencies, such as NURSA, where you can create a profile and request the schedule or days that you are available. These agencies provide your information to area healthcare facilities. In this capacity, you are not doing the legwork to find an available shift. The requests to work come directly to you from an interested party.

Why this is a Great Job for Moms:

The flexibility of working per diem is why it is one of the best nursing jobs for moms that pay well. You still will earn top hospital nurse pay, but without the restrictive schedule that so many moms find impossible to handle.

At my last hospital job, I worked per diem at one point. I was taking care of my sick father and my own family. My dad had many medical appointments that I attended with him. Something in my life had to give as I was burning myself out with my family and work responsibilities. So, I talked with my employer about my dilemma. One solution was to go per diem and work when they needed me as long as it fits into my schedule.

At that time, we were short night nurses. I dread the night shift, but I am an early riser. So, I took a chance and offered to work 4-8 am at times. With this odd shift, I could help on the floor in the early am when it was most busy. I could provide an extra hand for the night nurses as final checks, vitals, and early morning meds were passed and also at shift change. Working a few days here and there at this unconventional time was a win-win for my employer and myself. I was the first call when an extra night nurse was needed, and I could go in when my personal schedule allowed.

Potential Earnings:

Per diem RNs earn an average hourly wage of $42/hr. (ZipRecruiter).


JOB #6: Home Health


About The Job:

Home Health (HH) nurses work for agencies that employ nurses to care for patients in their homes. In this role, you may work days and/or evenings. You may also work weekends and be on call. However, many HH agency nurses work traditional 9-5 business hours.

In this role, you will be performing a variety of tasks such as:

• Physical assessment
• Taking blood for lab testing
• Diabetic care
• Health teaching
• Intravenous infusions
• Tube feedings
• Wound care
• Safety assessments
• Referral and coordination of additional services


You may also serve in a leadership role as you supervise LPNs, home health aides, and caregivers.

Why this is a Great Job for Moms:

I once worked a home health job as a side hustle. I had a full-time position as a school nurse but needed a little extra money. I told the HH agency that my hours needed to be flexible, and they were willing to accommodate my request. I worked some weekends and a few evenings here and there for cases that were close to home.

With a variety of shifts and flex options, working home health is one of the great nursing jobs for moms that pay well. There may even be a few occasions when you can stop at home between local patients to check in on your family.

Potential Earnings:

Home health nurses are now among those who have topped the 100K ceiling. Per ZipRecruiter, a home health RN averages $101,717 annually.


JOB #7: Telehealth


About The Job:

Another one of the great nursing jobs for moms that pay well is that of a telehealth nurse. You can work as a telehealth nurse in almost all areas of nursing. In this role, you virtually perform patient assessments, provide patient teaching, and monitor medical progress. Telemedicine is a work-from-home nursing position.

Areas that hire telemed nurses can be:

• Hospitals
• Private telehealth agencies
• Specialty practices
• School nursing
• Substance abuse centers and practices


There are also different schedule options available in this capacity, which is handy for your particular needs.

Why this is a Great Job for Moms:

It is no secret that working virtually from home is a convenient alternative to onsite work. For working nurse moms, telemedicine has an added bonus. Sometimes, you can stay home with your children while you work.

For moms with teens and tweens, you can keep an eye on their whereabouts and homework progress and even feed them dinner. They are too old for a babysitter but still need a mom nearby to ensure they are safe and fed.

Second and third-shift virtual nursing may allow moms of toddler and school-age children to work once their little ones are asleep. The savings from not having to pay for daycare is reason enough to consider a telemed job.

Potential Earnings:

Per Salary.com, the average RN salary for a telehealth job is $93,006 per year.


JOB #8: Nurse Navigator


About The Job:

Patients with chronic, terminal, or challenging medical issues can become confused and weighed down with many questions and financial issues. Nurse navigators are assigned to these types of patients to help guide them through the murky matters of the health system. These nurses provide support and guidance and serve as an intermediary between the patient and their providers, insurance companies, and agencies.

Hospitals, HMOs, insurance agencies, Medicare and Medicaid, and some larger private practices employ nurse navigators.

Why this is a Great Job for Moms:

During the pandemic, nurse navigators could work effectively from home. This virtual option was so successful that many nurse navigators are still given the option to work virtually. Having the luxury of working from home is a huge plus for working nurse moms.

Additionally, nurse navigators work regular office hours, allowing moms to be home for their children after school and attend to their sporting and other activities.

Potential Earnings:

According to ZipRecruiter, an RN working as a nurse navigator averages $82,498 annually.


JOB #9: Utilization Review


About The Job:

As a utilization review nurse, you will work with an insurance company or a hospital. You will trade in patient care for a computer, where you utilize your medical expertise to review charts, scrutinize medical bills, and make phone calls to insurance companies, medical agencies, and hospitals.

If working for an insurance company, you review patient medical charts and bills to ensure that the charges are reasonable, related to the primary diagnosis that that insurance is paying for, and necessary.

I worked as a utilization review (UR) nurse for a workmen’s compensation carrier. In this position, I reviewed the medical bills of their claimants. Since the carrier was a workmen’s compensation insurance, they did not want to pay for non-work-related care. For example, if a patient was in the hospital for work-related back surgery and needed care for a chronic rash on their chest, I needed to sort out the work-related vs. non-work-related costs.

As a utilization management nurse in a hospital, you will be dealing directly with insurance companies to make sure that patients are covered for their necessary medical care and ensure payment of related bills.

Why this is a Great Job for Moms:

Some UR nurses can work from home. Many times, there is also a hybrid option for this job. Nonetheless, UR nurses work regular office hours, which is ideal for working nurse moms. Taking a day off to care for a sick child is not as big of a deal as in bedside nursing, where you may be letting down your team.

Potential Earnings:

Utilization review nurses make an average salary of $87,946, according to ZipRecruiter.


JOB #10: Professor


About The Job:

Working as a nursing professor is a stimulating career that requires an advanced degree. Nurses who want to teach fledgling nursing students require a degree at least one higher than the program graduates. So, if you teach BSN students, you must possess a minimum of an MSN.

Nurse educators have the option to teach classes or be clinical instructors. As an academic nurse, you can be on campus, in the community for clinical training, or work remotely. With many universities and classes moving towards virtual learning, there is a good chance that you can work from home.

Why this is a Great Job for Moms:

Nursing professors are highly in demand due to a nursing faculty shortage. This problem opens a wide variety of choices for nurses seeking jobs in this arena. You can use the brisk job market to your advantage as you plan for your personal schedule to care for your family. You can often schedule office hours to suit your schedule and prerecord lectures online.

Potential Earnings:

Per ZipRecruiter, a nursing professor makes $78,221 on average annually.



My Final Thoughts


If you are a working nurse mom, juggling a career and family can be challenging. I hope this article helped give you some peace of mind by answering your question, “What are the best nursing jobs for moms that pay well?” You can work and still successfully manage your family if you carefully choose a position that allows you the flexibility that you need to “do it all”.

I’m not saying that being a working mom is easy. But perhaps some of the ideas presented in “10 best nursing jobs for moms that pay well” will give you hope that you can at least make your life manageable. Kudos to you and all that you do as a working nurse mom!


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.