In many ways, bedside care anchors the nursing profession. Traditionally, nurses have long provided patients with direct, personalized and empathetic care, serving as a bridge between the patient and the healthcare provider. In today’s complex healthcare landscape, however, nurses have the ability to take on a wide range of roles — including non-bedside nursing positions.
Interested in nursing non-bedside jobs? Now may be the ideal time to enroll in a degree program like an online RN to BSN. The range of non-bedside jobs for nurses to consider increases significantly when you earn a Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree.
Why Consider a Non-Bedside Nursing Career?
Non-bedside nursing jobs are distinct from traditional nursing roles, but many nurses find advantages to these positions. According to the National Society of Health Coaches, the following are some of the benefits of pursuing nursing non-bedside jobs:
- Non-bedside nursing jobs may offer a more predictable and traditional schedule than traditional registered nurse (RN) positions, which operate on shift schedules.
- Some non-bedside nursing roles offer hybrid or remote work opportunities, too.
- Non-bedside nursing positions may not be as physically draining — which can appeal to RNs who have been working bedside for years.
- Non-bedside nursing roles provide nurses with an opportunity to pursue specialized fields (such as informatics, education or policy).
- Non-bedside nursing jobs may offer additional opportunities for career advancement or increased earning potential.
Career Paths for BSN Nurses Beyond the Bedside
By exploring the various non-bedside roles in nursing, you can determine which positions best align with your clinical interests, specialized skill set and overall career goals. Below are some of the non-bedside nursing careers that BSN-prepared nurses can consider:
1. Nurse Educator
Nurse educators provide training and instruction to existing nurses to help them improve their practical, technical and clinical skills. Working at colleges and universities, in educational support services or directly for hospitals, nurse educators primarily interact with experienced nurses. The ideal candidate is a BSN-prepared nurse with extensive clinical experience who is passionate about guiding the next generation of RNs.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for nurse educators is about $80,800 (as of 2023).
2. Public Health Nurse
Responsible for promoting community health within a targeted population, public health nurses are often employed by public health agencies or government organizations. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), they may work to develop and implement educational programming as well as coordinate disease prevention activities. You may be well-suited to a career as a public health nurse if you are passionate about health equity and want to make an impact on your local community.
According to the BLS, registered nurses earn a median annual salary of about $93,000, and public health nurses may earn comparable wages.
3. Nurse Case Manager
Nurse case managers are responsible for coordinating care plans for patients; as a result, they frequently collaborate with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers to develop a comprehensive and personalized plan. Most often, nurse case managers work with patients who are managing a chronic illness or battling a serious disease. They primarily work in hospitals, health clinics and long-term care facilities. This position is ideal for nurses who enjoy working in a team environment and are organized, detail-oriented and dependable.
The BLS reports that registered nurses earn a median salary of about $93,000 per year — and nurse case managers may earn a salary that is similar.
4. Nurse Informaticist
An informatics nurse works to leverage the power of data in healthcare systems, allowing healthcare providers to streamline operations and personalize care for patients. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), nurse informaticists are needed in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics. This position is ideal for BSN-prepared RNs who have significant clinical experience and are comfortable working with electronic health records.
According to the BLS, health information specialists earn a median annual salary of about $63,000.
5. Legal Nurse Consultant
Relying on their nursing foundation and clinical experience, legal nurse consultants help provide legal experts with medical insight and context. Legal nurse consultants primarily work in law practices — making this position ideal for detail-oriented and organized nurses who want to pursue a specialized opportunity.
Legal nurse consultants may earn a salary similar to that of registered nurses ($93,000 per year).
6. Occupational Health Nurse
According to the CDC, building a healthier workplace is essential to protecting worker safety and growing the economy. BSN-prepared nurses who are passionate about workplace safety and protecting the health of workers may be interested in a career as an occupational health nurse. These nurses are responsible for creating and implementing strategic workplace safety plans, and they may even deliver direct care to injured or ill workers on the job site.
Occupational health nurses may earn a median annual salary comparable to that of registered nurses ($93,000).
7. Nurse Health Coach
According to Cleveland Clinic, nurse health coaches work closely with individuals to offer guidance about the optimal nutritional choices to make based on their personal health needs. They may be employed by hospitals, clinics or private companies, with the potential to even pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.
According to the BLS, health education specialists and nurse health coaches may earn a median annual salary of about $63,000.
8. Clinical Research Nurse
Clinical research nurses work on research teams to conduct research that may lead to further medical innovations. According to the ANA, the daily duties of clinical research nurses may vary based on the study they are working on but could include caring for patients, completing academic reporting or recording results. Ideal candidates for this position possess extensive clinical experience and a passion for collaborating with medical professionals in order to develop cutting-edge treatments.
Clinical research nurses may earn a salary similar to registered nurses ($93,000 annually)
9. Nurse Policy Analyst
Bridging the gap between clinical care and lawmaking, nurse policy analysts work to guide legislators and advocate for improved healthcare policy. According to Johnson & Johnson Nursing, nurse policy analysts are responsible for providing data-driven insight to lawmakers who are working to shape healthcare policy. It is an ideal opportunity for research-focused nurses striving to have an impact on the healthcare system as a whole.
According to the BLS, RNs earn a median salary of about $93,000 per year, and clinical research nurses may take home a similar annual pay.
10. Telehealth Nurse
Telehealth nurses utilize technology as a means of providing patients with remote care. According to the CDC, telehealth services are playing a crucial role in improving healthcare access and reducing overall costs — in turn increasing the demand for telehealth nurses. BSN-prepared nurses looking for a more flexible work environment and comfortable with technology may be suited for these positions.
Telehealth nurses earn a salary similar to that of RNs at about $93,000 per year.
Benefits of Earning Your BSN for Non-Bedside Careers
Many of the top nursing non-bedside jobs require candidates to have a BSN degree. By earning your BSN, you could enjoy increased job eligibility as well as a greater earning potential over the course of your career.
The Growing Demand for Non-Bedside Nursing Roles
Nurses across all specialty areas are becoming more interested in non-bedside nursing roles. According to the CDC, healthcare workers are at a higher risk of experiencing burnout, which can leave them feeling physically exhausted and mentally drained. When nurses feel like they are teetering on the edge of burnout, they may find that non-bedside nursing roles offer them a better sense of work-life balance.
How to Transition Into a Non-Bedside Nursing Career
For those looking to step into a non-bedside nursing role, consider the following steps:
1. Identify Your Strengths and Interests
First, begin by evaluating your own strengths and interests as a nurse. Now is an excellent time to pursue a specialized opportunity that aligns with your clinical interests.
2. Advance Your Education
Consider earning your BSN degree. Many of the leading nursing non-bedside jobs require that candidates hold a BSN degree along with significant professional experience.
3. Update Your Resume and Network
As you advance your education and your nursing skills, update your resume and begin to network within the field. Making new connections will allow you to uncover specialized opportunities in nursing.
4. Gain Experience Through Part-Time or Volunteer Work
If you are interested in a non-bedside role that requires hands-on experience, consider pursuing a part-time job or a volunteer position that enables you to develop the niche skills required for that job.
Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Bedside Nursing Careers
What are non-bedside nursing jobs?
Non-bedside nursing jobs are positions that do not require nurses to directly care for patients. They may have more administrative responsibilities than traditional nursing roles.
Is it common for BSN-prepared nurses to leave bedside nursing?
Many BSN-prepared nurses choose to leave bedside nursing in order to pursue specialized positions that align with their interests or afford a greater sense of work-life balance.
Do non-bedside nursing jobs pay well?
Yes, many of the non-bedside nursing jobs offer a similar earning potential to RN positions. Additionally, some may allow you to increase your earning potential over the course of your career.
Do I need additional certifications for non-bedside roles?
You may need additional certifications, depending on the non-bedside roles that you are most interested in. Job criteria can vary based on the individual position.
Can I still make an impact in healthcare without working at the bedside?
Absolutely; non-bedside nurses play a pivotal part in improving health equity, increasing healthcare access, fueling medical innovation and leveraging the power of technology in the healthcare field.
Develop the Skills Required for the Leading Non-Bedside Jobs for Nurses at Nevada State University
Nursing non-bedside jobs offer nurses an opportunity to pursue their passion and apply their clinical skills in innovative ways. Equally rewarding, these non-bedside jobs allow nurses to specialize in niche areas of the nursing profession.
At Nevada State University, the RN to BSN online program gives you the ability to build upon your nursing foundation and accelerate your education — streamlining the path toward earning your BSN degree. With an emphasis on evidence-based care, this degree program is ideal for anyone interested in non-bedside nursing careers.
Request more information about our nursing degree programs today.