7 Unique Side Hustles for Nurse Practitioners

As a nurse practitioner, you’re essential to the healthcare system. You can utilize your advanced clinical training to provide direct patient care in multiple primary and specialty care settings. There are even opportunities where you can work at government agencies or perform home visits. However, could you use your expertise in other ways? Turns out, the answer is yes! 

There are various nurse practitioner side jobs that offer flexible schedules, great pay and the ability to still share your healthcare knowledge. To give you some ideas, we’ll share 7 unique NP jobs that might appeal to your interest below. 

1. Medical writing and editing

Today, many people obtain health information from blogs, newsletters and social media. However, as you know, not every source is reliable or credible. Therefore, if you have a knack for writing and want to educate others with your words, consider medical writing and editing. 

Many healthcare companies and digital marketing agencies seek freelance health writers and editors who can use their medical expertise to write blog posts that inform their audience. Then, there are others who want NPs to provide high-level content, like medical journal publications for clinical audiences. You’ll want to pick projects that interest you and align with your skill set. 

Most writing jobs can be done remotely and offer a very flexible schedule. In addition, the work is relatively straightforward. Most clients will give you a topic, max word count and some SEO keywords, but you’ll need to provide the rest of the content.

2. Health and wellness coaching

Patients often want to lose weight and/or improve their health, but many don’t know exactly how to do so. Sure, they receive the patient education guides at discharge, but these resources often go by the wayside without guidance and accountability. 

However, this is where a health coach can help pick up the pieces. You can assist your clients with making healthy changes that support their goals. Plus, your credentials and experience would be a bonus, as clients would trust your advice. 

This unique NP job is great for supplementing income but also lucrative enough to replace one's full-time job. The demand is high, and you can create a schedule that works for you. 

3. Concierge medicine

If you don’t mind responding to house calls, working for a concierge medicine business might be a good side gig for you. Patients may call about everything from earaches and allergies to prescription refills and back pain. 

With this business model, patients pay a membership fee to have direct access to a healthcare team for more personalized care. While it’s a more involved nurse practitioner side job, it can be gratifying and profitable. As a Per Diem Provider, you’ll be paid per treatment but may have to respond to some weekend and evening requests. 

4. IV therapy and infusions

Nurse practitioners desiring a more task-oriented job might find conducting IV infusions a good option. In some situations, like at infusion centers, doctors have specifically ordered patients to receive infusions, which means you don’t have to diagnose them. With much of the leg work already done, you can focus on just providing the infusion. 

You could also provide on-demand IV hydration services to people's homes, offices, hotels and more. Some clients seek out IV fluids to help with dehydration, food poisoning, hangovers and more. It’s a unique NP side hustle for those who don't mind traveling. 

5. Postsecondary teaching 

Are you interested in teaching others how to become nurse practitioners? Or what about instructing a CNA or medication administration class? Colleges, universities, trade schools and more are looking for individuals with your advanced clinical knowledge. As an adjunct professor, you get to shape the minds of ambitious students while having work/life balance. Also, many classes can now be taught online, so this is a solid option if you’re looking for a virtual NP job. 

6. Telehealth nurse practitioner positions

If you’d like to continue providing patient care but want to do so from the comforts of your home, consider being a telehealth nurse practitioner. Working for companies like OpenLoop, you could expand your patient network, create a schedule that works for your lifestyle and work for some of the leading virtual care companies in the nation. You’d also get to utilize top-notch technology designed with clinicians like you in mind, making your job more simple and efficient. 

Looking to make the most of your multi-state licenses or licensure compact but don’t want to do a bunch of traveling? Telemedicine is another great way to see patients across state lines without ever having to leave your home. The best part? This can be a side gig or a full-time position. It’s that flexible!

The demand for telemedicine has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 24% from 2023 to 2030. Therefore, if you’re looking for a unique NP side hustle to boost your earning potential, work with a telemedicine company. 

To learn more about OpenLoop’s career opportunities, click here. 

7. Offer digital products and mentorship

Create a mentorship program if you’d like to support future nurse practitioners but don’t want to be an adjunct instructor. You’ve navigated challenging courses and gained valuable experience during your clinical practice. So why not share insight with others going through different stages of their NP journey - from applying to college to navigating their first job. 

You could create digital products, like eBooks and courses, that prep them for the certification exam. You could also let people schedule mentorship sessions, where you guide them through selecting a specialty, finding a preceptor, navigating labs and more. 

This unique NP side hustle can be personalized to fit your needs as you dictate your pricing, availability and service offerings. 

Maximize on your healthcare experience

At this point, you’ve learned about multiple nurse practitioner side jobs, so now you just have to decide which one works for you. Do you want an in-person gig, like what’s done with concierge medicine and IV therapy? Or, are you interested in remote opportunities, like online teaching and virtual care? 

If your answer was virtual care, consider applying to OpenLoop’s NCQA-accredited network of over 16,000 providers. We’re always looking for professionals like you to join our remote teams and provide safe and effective care via telehealth. You’ll enjoy competitive pay and a flexible schedule while conducting rewarding work. 

Ready to apply? Learn more here!