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It's hard to imagine a nurse without scrubs. Traditionally, they have helped patients at the bedside. But what if nursing was more than that? What if we could take the qualities of a nurse and apply them to different careers?
We can take those smart, nimble, meticulous workers and put them in a variety of roles. There is so much transferable knowledge in nursing. We are trained to prioritize, function under pressure, and pick up on the smallest of clues. Our keen senses can take us far in other industries.
Nurses are adept at problem solving and using critical thinking to assess situations quickly and make decisions. We are trained in communication, interpersonal and organizational skills which makes us well suited for a variety of roles. We understand the importance of compliance and how to work within a team.
So for this Nurse’s Week, we’re going to cover nursing and its place beyond the bedside. The role of nurses goes beyond direct patient care, so what else can they do?
Medical and Health Writers
Health writers create blogs, newsletters, and academic content. Medical writing is more complicated. These writers work with pharmaceutical companies,
clinicians, and other publications to analyze medical and statistical data. They turn that content into a piece of writing.
You could write:
Nursing curriculum
NCLEX test prep questions
Blogs on health conditions
Documents to help a medication achieve FDA approval
Adds for pharmaceutical companies
Nurses make excellent writers. We are well-versed in medical jargon, pharmacy, and patient education. Educators may thrive in academic writing positions. Clinical research nurses may love regulatory writing. The writing world is as broad as the nursing world. There is a niche here for everyone.
Legal Nursing Consultant
Legal nurse consultants work with attorneys on medical cases. In this role, you may be a witness for either side. Or, you could read medical records to look for signs of malpractice. This is a very high-paying specialty.
Legal nurse consultants have a high dedication to detail. As bedside nurses,
they understood and enjoyed charting. You need to understand medical jargon and best practice to work in this niche.
Telehealth nursing
Nursing…from home? As a telehealth nurse, you can work at home or in a call center. But, I would advocate working from home. You can help triage patients. As a telehealth nurse, you assess your client’s health condition over the phone. Then, you make recommendations on what their next steps should be.
This role is best for someone with strong clinical skills. You need to be able to pick up on small details over the phone. You won’t be able to see your patient. So, you’ll need to know what questions to ask them to understand their present condition. You may enjoy this role if you aren’t quite ready to leave the clinical setting.
Health Coaches
Health coaches help their clients live a healthier life. They work with their client base to establish healthy habits. This may mean curating an exercise routine or teaching classes on mindfulness. They help patients understand medical conditions and the lifestyle changes needed to improve their quality of life.
Many health coaches work remotely. If you enjoy building strong patient relationships, this may be the role for you. You will have a sense of satisfaction
from being able to help your clients progress and reach their health goals. You will also be able to develop long-term relationships with your clients and be part of their journey to better health.
Career Coaches
Career coaches help other nurses achieve their professional goals. They can polish your resume, optimize your LinkedIn, and help with interviews. They can provide advice on networking, career development strategies, and how to advance your career. Coaches also provide support and guidance to help nurses maintain motivation and focus on their goals.
Career coaches can work remotely. This role is great for nurses who love training and working with newer nurses. You can offer the guidance they need to shape the rest of their nursing career. It's an incredibly rewarding job, as you will be able to witness and be part of the development of novel nurses.
Educator
Becoming an educator is a classic tract for many nurses. We need nurses to teach the future generation. Most of these roles are in-person, but there has been a push for more remote options. In this role, you could lead a classroom, or be a clinical instructor. You could also work in a healthcare facility as an educator training other nurses.
You can use your skills and experience to mentor and nurture the next generation of nurses. It's a great opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. Plus, you can enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your students grow and succeed.
Content Creators
What exactly is a content creator? It’s someone who creates educational or entertaining information for a platform. You could create Instagram posts on dialysis to help train new nurses. Or, you could use Youtube to make educational
posts on diabetes management.
It’s a great way to build a community and make a positive impact on the industry. You’ll also be able to connect with influencers, collaborate with other nurses, and gain recognition for your work. If you’re a tech-savvy extrovert who loves sharing wisdom with others, you should give this a thought.
Health Policy
Do you dream about making a widespread difference in healthcare? Are you passionate about advocacy? Consider pursuing a career in healthcare policy. You'll be able to engage with lawmakers, learn more about the healthcare system, and make a real difference in the lives of people. You'll be part of a critical team of professionals who are making a positive impact on healthcare.
You will be expected to provide data-driven insights into the impact of healthcare decisions. You'll need to be able to think strategically and have the ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions. It's a great opportunity to make a lasting impact in the healthcare industry.
Case Managers
Case managers coordinate the care of patients between different specialties. They make sure their clients get access to the resources they need to thrive. By striving to understand the patient's needs and making sure they are met, case managers can help to improve the patient's quality of life. They also help to ensure that resources are used efficiently and that any potential issues are addressed quickly.
If you love advocating for others, consider becoming a case manager. There
are usually a lot of moving pieces here, so you should be an excellent organizer. You should also be comfortable with technology and have the ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of people.
Summary
You don’t have to be at the bedside. There are so many opportunities to take advantage of in the nursing profession. You could work a writer, case manager, or in the legal system. There are also opportunities to work in research, education and policy. You can find a job that fits your interests and lifestyle.
So this Nurse’s Week, take the time to reflect on your current role. Are you happy? Are you fulfilled? Can you see yourself spending the rest of your career in this role? If you aren’t it may be time for a change.
If you’re interested in becoming a health writer, check out my services.
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