Alternative nursing careers are classified in two ways: those providing patient care and those that don’t. Patient care providers include outpatient nurses, military nurses, school nurses, nursing home nurses, and home health nurses. Non-patient care providers include public health nurses, insurance nurses, nurse managers, nurse researchers, and nurse educators.
There is not one path that all nurses must follow in their nursing careers; even within hospitals, there are plenty of specialties to choose from. There are myriad options for nurses who’d prefer to work outside hospitals, in outpatient or non-bedside settings.
By choosing a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Utica University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you’ll have the opportunity to work in many settings, many outside hospitals. With Utica’s ABSN program, you can start your career sooner, with the ability to graduate from the program in as little as 16 months and start working as a highly educated nurse.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s look at just a few available paths.
Nursing Careers Outside the Hospital Providing Direct Patient Care
Direct patient care is what most people think of when they picture a nurse tending to a patient: assessing, monitoring, and treating patients at their bedside. However, there are many alternative careers for nurses providing one-on-one care outside hospitals and clinics. Here’s an overview of four top choices.
Wondering why there is so much opportunity in nursing? Learn more about why nurses are in high demand.
1. Outpatient Nurse
Perhaps the most obvious alternative to inpatient hospital nursing is outpatient nursing. Outpatient nurses can work in primary care or specialty clinics. Day-to-day duties may vary from clinic to clinic, but most outpatient nurses can expect to check vitals, collect blood or other samples from patients for testing, educate patients, etc. Typically, the patients these nurses see are dealing with less severe conditions, with some coming in for simple check-ups. However, the volume of patients for outpatient nurses is typically higher than those working in the hospital. Patient satisfaction is also essential in these settings, as patient retention is critical for the success of many outpatient clinics. For this reason, being personable is a crucial characteristic of outpatient nurses.
This may be a good career option if you are looking for a job that allows you to work a regular schedule. Many clinics have set hours and are closed on weekends and holidays.
2. Military Nurse
If you want to serve your country while working as a nurse, you should consider joining the military. As a military nurse, you will receive the training standard for your branch and become a part of the Nurse Corps. You can work as a critical care nurse, nurse anesthetist, or even an OB/GYN nurse. You can also work in various settings, such as in clinics on military bases or in the field. You could even work on military ships or medical aircraft. You’ll earn a salary and benefits the same as many other nursing positions, and you may be eligible for sign-on bonuses and student loan repayments.
When you begin the journey into military nursing, seek out a recruiter who knows about military nursing. While a typical recruiter can give you details on boot camp, they likely won’t be able to explain your role within your specific branch.
3. School Nurse
Pediatric nursing isn’t your only option if you want to work with children. School nurses can work in private or public schools, from elementary schools to universities. You will treat common injuries and illnesses, such as minor scrapes and colds, and assist children requiring additional medications throughout the day.
Working as a school nurse allows you to work a more consistent schedule, as they work within the parameters of the school year. This works well for those with children in school or who are just seeking a Monday-through-Friday, nine-to-five position. School nurses must be able to work independently and have a broad knowledge of different health-related issues to ensure each child is treated accordingly.
School nurses must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and some schools may require the nurse to have passed the NCSN exam.
4. Nursing Home Nurse
A nursing home may be a good alternative if you want to work outside the hospital but are still looking for a clinical setting. Nurses who work in nursing homes can form close relationships with their elderly patients as they work with them daily. If you work in a nursing home, many of your patients will likely be unable to perform basic daily tasks. They will need help changing their clothing, bathing and other hygiene-related tasks, getting to different activities or locations around the facility, etc.
RNs in nursing homes often have supervisory positions and tend to deal with higher-level tasks such as administering medication, starting IVs, giving injections, and managing treatment plans. After gaining experience, these RNs may take on an administrative role. This includes managing staff, ensuring patient care meets regulatory requirements, and handling the budget.
It is important to remember that nursing home residents live there full-time and require round-the-clock care, meaning scheduling may be less regular and flexible than other positions. However, if a fixed, flexible schedule is not your priority, this may be an option to consider seriously.
Prefer to stay in the hospital setting? Discover 10 in-demand nursing specialties that may suit you.
5. Home-Health Nurse
Home health nurses work with patients one-on-one in their own homes. Many different people with different types of conditions benefit from home-health nursing, including the elderly, disabled, chronically ill, those recovering from surgeries or accidents, and more. These nurses often take care of their patients’ daily needs by administering medication, helping with basic hygiene, tending to injuries, and more. This career path is great for anyone who values autonomy in the workplace and wants to make deep and meaningful connections with their patients, as home-health nurses often work with the same patients for years. Home health nursing may also be a good option if flexibility is important, as you may have some control over your scheduling.
Non-Bedside Nursing Career Options
Many nurses pursue roles that allow them to work directly with patients, but many alternative nursing careers don’t involve patient care. Let’s check out a few career options for those taking a step back from bedside nursing.
6. Nurse Researcher
Another option for a nursing career outside the hospital is a nurse researcher. A nurse researcher career may appeal to those who enjoy the scientific side of nursing. Some nurse researchers may find opportunities in hospitals, but many hold positions within pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations and teaching and university hospitals.
In their day-to-day work, nurse researchers develop and coordinate scientific studies that innovate treatment, practice, and technology in the nursing field. They collect and analyze data and may need to apply for research grants to fund their study. Candidates with a scientific or math-oriented mind would do well in this position. Education requirements will vary depending on the role and research, but every nurse researcher will need at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
7. Nurse Educator
After gaining years of crucial experience as nurses providing direct patient care, many choose to become nurse educators as a non-bedside nursing career. As important as new nurses are in addressing the healthcare nursing shortage, nurse educators are just as vital. The next generation of nurses requires a solid education to innovate the field further.
Many nurse educators work in clinical settings and teach nursing students at teaching hospitals or college nursing programs. Educators can work part-time and continue to work clinical shifts or teach full-time. Nurse educators must stay current on the latest nursing technology and practices to provide students with the best resources. Educators must be organized, as they are required to develop lesson plans and prepare evaluations. They also must remain patient as every student will come from a unique educational background.
Nurse educators require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and continued education such as an MSN degree. Some universities, colleges and hospitals may even require a PhD to begin a career as a nurse educator.
8. Nurse Manager
The nurse manager role is excellent for natural leaders who want to remain in a clinical setting but want to transition from a patient care role. Nurse managers collaborate with their staff to develop schedules, make hiring decisions, complete performance reviews, and craft a team budget. This may be an ideal role for those willing to meet the requirement of holding a master’s degree and substantial communication, business, and conflict resolution skills.
Check out our Q&A with a Chief Nursing Officer to learn how you can transition into an advanced nursing career.
9. Insurance Nurse
If you are looking to steer away from a clinical setting but still want to apply your expertise in the medical field to your career, an insurance job may be a good fit. Depending on their job titles, some responsibilities may include reviewing insurance claims, giving clients wellness advice, acting as an intermediary between healthcare providers and patients, and even developing standards for patient care. This position requires some non-standard nursing skills, such as math and statistics proficiency.
This is another excellent option for anyone looking for a standard nine-to-five schedule. These positions may even offer a work-from-home option, which can be attractive to some candidates.
10. Public Health Nurse
Rather than care for patients one-on-one, public health nurses care for an entire community. Public health nurses must evaluate the needs of a community to determine what roles they must take on. However, some possible tasks could include assessing data to determine patterns of risk factors for a given population, creating campaigns to address any widespread health issues, and providing medical care to individuals belonging to high-risk groups. Rather than working at a hospital, public health nurses often work for government entities, schools, community clinics, or non-profit organizations.
Take Your Career in a New Direction at Utica University
These are a few examples of countless alternative nursing careers outside the hospital. Nursing is an incredibly vast field that allows you to pursue your interests and strengths. At Utica University, our hybrid online ABSN or Advanced Standing in Nursing program offers students the flexibility to get the most out of our program. With in-person skills labs and clinical rotations, students work in the local community, practicing the practical and emotional skills you’ll need in any of the roles mentioned.
Contact an admission representative today to learn how Utica can help you pursue a unique and rewarding nursing career.
