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As nurses, we possess a wealth of knowledge and skills. We have years of education, training, and clinical experience shaping us. While the bedside may be where many of us begin our nursing journey, the opportunities to utilize our nursing licenses extend far beyond the confines of hospital walls. You can practice nursing without ever having to touch a patient.
In this blog post, we'll chat about the nontraditional ways you can use your nursing license. Because nursing doesn’t stop at the bedside.
Clinical Education and Training
Clinical training is one lucrative way nurses can pivot away from the bedside. No one understands the clinical role like a healthcare worker. So, it only makes sense that nurses work in clinical education and training roles. You can be a nurse educator in academic institutions. Or a clinical instructor in healthcare settings. Medical device companies even need people to train their clients on how to use their devices.
Remember: your experience is incredibly valuable outside of the bedside role. No one else has seen the patient like you have. So, there are plenty of opportunities for you to share that knowledge with others. And some of them don’t require a terminal degree.
Health Writing
Nurse writers have bedside experience that provides invaluable insights into the complexities of healthcare delivery, patient care, and medical conditions. Through their daily interactions with patients, nurses develop a deep understanding of diverse medical conditions, treatments, and the human aspect of illness. This firsthand knowledge allows them to write medical information in a clear, concise, and empathetic manner. They help bridge the gap between complex medical jargon and lay audiences.
This firsthand knowledge allows them to address pertinent healthcare issues in their writing, advocating for patient rights, promoting health literacy, and debunking common myths and misconceptions. Nurses' holistic approach to patient care also enables them to explore the social, emotional, and psychological aspects of health and wellness, providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence health outcomes. Nurses are welcomed wholeheartedly into this field. They’re sought out for their clinical background and make strong additions to any editorial team.
Healthcare Administration and Management
Nurses are born leaders. We need to run to a scene, assess our supplies, give a preliminary decision on a patient, and get to work. Have you ever seen a nurse
during a code? Or a 911 call? They know how to delegate, meet tight timelines, and get things done. They literally have to.
Long story short? Nurses make great managers, in or out of healthcare. They have a strong understanding of the healthcare system from the ground up, which makes them adept at becoming nurse leaders. They can oversee day-to-day operations, manage budgets and resources, and implement initiatives to improve patient outcomes and. By assuming leadership positions, nurses can influence healthcare policies, drive quality improvement initiatives, and advocate for positive change within healthcare organizations.
Public Health and Community Health Nursing
My clinical background is in community and public health. So, I love talking about this unknown niche. If you’re passionate about making a big difference, you can’t really get bigger than community health. These niches focus on providing the greatest good to the largest population.
Public health nurses work to promote health and prevent disease within communities through initiatives such as health education, disease surveillance, and immunization programs. They collaborate with community partners, policymakers, and healthcare providers to address public health challenges, like sunburns, lyme disease, or communicable disease. And many of them work remotely.
I was a school nurse. That means I had summers off, a pension, and a relatively light caseload. I wasn’t dealing with super critical patients, which was great for my mental health. But, I was still performing more acute treatment for some students. I always recommend school nursing for those who aren’t quite ready to leave the bedside, but they need a break from the chaos. Whether working in local health departments, nonprofit organizations, or international agencies, public health nurses play a crucial role in advancing public health initiatives and reducing health disparities.
Telehealth and Telemedicine
The rapid advancement of technology has opened up new possibilities for nurses. They can deliver healthcare services remotely through telehealth and telemedicine platforms, which are becoming more accessible to facilities and patients. All while providing flexibility to work from home.
Telehealth nurses provide virtual care to patients via phone, video
conferencing, or online platforms. They offer triage, health coaching, and chronic disease management. Telemedicine nurses collaborate with healthcare providers to conduct remote consultations, assess patient symptoms, and recommend appropriate treatments. These roles allow nurses to reach patients in underserved areas, improve access to care, and enhance patient outcomes through innovative use of technology.
If you want to still manage disease without having to physically be in a hospital every day, this may be a good compromise.
Legal Nurse Consulting
Nurses with a passion for law and a keen eye for detail should check out legal nurse consulting. Legal nurse consultants provide expertise and analysis on healthcare-related cases. This could include medical malpractice, personal injury, and worker's compensation claims. They review medical records, and analyze healthcare policies and procedures. They also provide expert testimony in legal proceedings.
No one understands the medical jargon quite like a nurse. And lawyers definitely don’t understand it. So, nurses are highly effective in this field. By leveraging their clinical expertise and understanding of healthcare standards, legal nurse consultants play a crucial role in ensuring that legal cases are accurately evaluated and resolved.
Entrepreneurship and Healthcare Innovation
Nurses make incredible entrepreneurs. They’re great at picking out patterns, understanding goals, and working hard. They’re also excellent at time management and multitasking. All qualities that translate into entrepreneurship.
Nurses with an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive for innovation can carve out unique career paths by launching their own businesses in the healthcare industry. They can develop healthcare apps, create wellness programs, or offer specialized nursing services. Nurse entrepreneurs have the opportunity to address unmet needs, drive innovation, and improve patient care. By leveraging their clinical expertise, creativity, and business acumen, they can make a meaningful impact on healthcare delivery and shape the future of nursing practice.
Summary
As nurses, we can use our nursing licenses in fulfilling career opportunities beyond the bedside. Whether in clinical education, healthcare administration, public health, telehealth, legal consulting, or entrepreneurship, nurses play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare. We can find career paths that align with our passions, interests, and aspirations, allowing us to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of others while pursuing professional fulfillment and personal growth.
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