Non-bedside nursing jobs include a career as a flight nurse, forensic nurse, aesthetic/cosmetic nurse, school nurse, legal nurse consultant, public health nurse, cruise ship nurse, mental health nurse, and nurse midwife. These alternative nursing careers offer plenty of duties outside of a typical hospital nursing role.
Did you know that a degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Accelerated 2nd Degree ABSN program opens the door for you to pursue alternative nursing careers and non-bedside nursing careers in addition to a typical job as a registered nurse (RN) in a health care facility?
A BSN empowers you to take control of your nursing career and find a specialty that excites you! Check out our list of 10 non-bedside nursing jobs below.
1. Forensic Nurse
For those interested in both health care and the legal system, forensic nursing offers the best of both worlds. Work environments for forensic nurses include hospitals, labs, and courts. They must be compassionate and diplomatic in difficult situations because they are tasked with examining cases of sexual and physical abuse and accidental deaths.
2. Legal Nurse Consultant
Legal nurse consultants can be recruited by insurance corporations, law firms, prosecutors, forensic police units, pharmaceutical firms, clinics, and government agencies.
The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) provides an optional training program and certification for persons looking to work as legal nurse consultants.
While the training and exam are not required, you can stand out from other job hopefuls with comparable qualifications if you receive this type of training.
3. Cruise Ship Nurse
If you’re comfortable on the open sea, a job as a cruise ship nurse might be for you. You’ll be the main point of contact for any injuries or issues during the cruise. You could treat anything from seasickness to contusions or help people who have pre-existing conditions and need care during their vacation.
Often, employers seek candidates with ICU or emergency room experience. Additionally, many cruise ship nursing positions require you to live onboard for several weeks at a time. A perk of working as a cruise ship nurse is that your housing and food expenses are covered during this time.
4. School Nurse
Students with acute illnesses, chronic conditions, and injuries receive care from school nurses. School nurses examine the child's condition and symptoms to assess whether students need higher-level treatment at a medical facility. They also frequently provide first aid for cuts, bruises, and other common injuries. These nurses dispense over-the-counter medicines and provide children with health education. They’re also responsible for helping with contact tracing and COVID-19 testing.
5. Flight Nurse
Flight nurses provide critical care aboard helicopters and airplanes as severely ill patients are transferred to the hospital. After an accident or medical emergency, a flight nurse provides care for patients of various types as they are evacuated for treatment. These nurses care for the patient during transfer, keeping them stable, safe, and comfortable throughout the journey.
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6. Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse
Aesthetic nurses, also known as cosmetic nurses, are RNs that specialize in cosmetic services. This type of nursing usually includes noninvasive beauty treatments as an alternative to surgery. Cosmetic nurses evaluate patients’ medical histories and help determine what kind of procedure will be most beneficial to the patient in reaching their aesthetic goals.
These nurses generally complete the following duties:
- Patient consultation, which includes scheduling, interviewing, and medical screening before services are rendered
- Examining the skin to detect signs of aging and other health issues
- Giving both pre- and post-operative care
- Setting up and sterilizing surgical suites and equipment
- Performing chemical peels, laser hair removal, dermabrasion, CoolSculpting, Botox and filler injections, tattoo removal, and more
7. Insurance Nurse
Insurance nursing is another great option for anyone looking for a weekday daytime work schedule. Positions like this may even offer a work-from-home option, which is attractive for some. Additionally, there may be some degree of upward mobility, allowing you to continually advance your career.
Consider switching to an insurance position if you prefer a non-clinical environment where you can still use your knowledge of the medical industry in your career. In this specialty, nurses assist insurance firms using their clinical expertise, including reviewing insurance claims, advising clients on wellness, serving as a liaison between patients and health care providers, and creating standards for patient care.
This field involves a certain amount of math and statistics expertise and good communication skills. If you want to employ your nursing abilities while playing a primarily administrative role, this type of position is ideal for you.
8. Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses conduct health exams and administer medications within county and city health departments, federal health organizations, and mobile health care service units. They work with the public to promote healthy living and disease prevention within the community.
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9. Nurse Midwife
A nurse midwife can provide care in various situations, including prenatal care, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum rehabilitation. These nurses assist patients during labor and delivery and nurture new mothers after delivery.
Specialization: A master's degree in nursing is necessary for this position, in addition to an RN licensure and a BSN. Nurse midwives must also complete the American Midwifery Certification Board's Certified Nurse Midwife credential.
10. Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners in the field of mental health diagnose and manage behavioral and mental health issues. They assist individuals, families, groups, and even entire communities.
Specialization: You need a master's degree in nursing and the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PMHNP-BC) credential after receiving your BSN and RN license.
Start Your Journey to Becoming a Nurse
If you’re ready to work toward a fulfilling career as a nurse and already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, our ABSN program can prepare you in as few as 15 months. After earning your BSN from our School of Nursing, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to sit for the NCLEX with confidence and enter the profession as a practice-ready nurse.
Reach out to our team of dedicated admissions counselors today to learn why enrolling in our 15-month ABSN program in Maryland is worth it for your future nursing career.