Nursing Opportunities Outside the Hospital

Nursing Opportunities Outside the Hospital

While most people associate nursing with hospitals, only about 31% of registered nurses in the U.S. are employed in hospital settings. This leaves a wide range of nursing career opportunities outside the traditional hospital environment. Nurses can find fulfilling work in diverse roles, such as assisted living, home health, hospice, public health, legal consulting, and many others.

Below are some of the nursing opportunities available outside hospitals:

Assisted Living Nurses
Nurses in assisted living facilities focus on the well-being of residents, primarily seniors who need assistance with daily tasks. Responsibilities include administering medication, wound care, and building strong relationships with residents. This type of care requires a compassionate approach, with nurses often working one-on-one with residents in smaller, more intimate settings. Facilities like Brookdale Senior Living Brookdale offer nursing positions that allow nurses to form deep connections with residents.

Camp Nurses
If you love the outdoors, consider a camp nurse position during the summer. Camp nurses ensure the health of campers and staff, providing first aid and emergency care. Nurses may also support children with chronic conditions, and they often work independently as the sole medical resource at camps. Popular camps, like Camp Sunshine Camp Sunshine, offer these unique roles.

Corrections Nurses
Corrections nurses work in prisons and juvenile facilities, providing healthcare to inmates. They focus on disease prevention, managing both individual and public health. Strong critical thinking and the ability to build trust with patients are essential in this role. Facilities like the Federal Bureau of Prisons BOP provide opportunities for nurses to work in correctional healthcare settings.

Critical Care Transport Nurses
Critical care transport nurses provide advanced care during patient transfers between medical facilities, often by ambulance or helicopter. They assess patients, manage their conditions, and work closely with emergency medical personnel. Transport services like MedFlight MedFlight employ critical care transport nurses for these high-pressure roles.

Cruise Ship Nurses
Cruise ship nurses care for passengers and crew aboard cruise ships, offering a unique blend of nursing and travel. They manage first aid, patient assessments, and emergency drills while balancing extended periods away from home. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Cruise hire nurses for their medical teams.

Dialysis Nurses
Dialysis nurses care for patients with chronic kidney failure, providing dialysis treatments. They monitor patients, educate families, and handle administrative tasks like scheduling and supervising technicians. Companies such as DaVita DaVita and Fresenius Kidney Care Fresenius employ dialysis nurses in outpatient centers and home health settings.

Home Health Nurses
Home health nurses provide care for patients in their own homes, assisting with recovery after surgery or managing chronic conditions. They collaborate with healthcare teams to create personalized care plans. Companies like Amedisys Amedisys offer home health nursing opportunities.

Hospice Nurses
Hospice nurses focus on symptom management and comfort for terminally ill patients, typically working in patients' homes or hospice centers. They provide compassionate care and education during end-of-life transitions. Organizations like VITAS Healthcare VITAS offer hospice nursing positions across the U.S.

Legal Nurse Consultants
Legal nurse consultants assist attorneys with medical-related cases, reviewing medical records, conducting research, and potentially testifying in court. They need strong analytical skills to navigate complex medical issues. Companies like Nurse Case Management Services Nurse Case Management hire legal nurse consultants for various roles.

Life Insurance Nurse Reviewers
Life insurance nurse reviewers assess medical and financial data to determine eligibility for coverage. This role requires strong analytical and communication skills to bridge the gap between patients and insurance providers. Companies like Prudential Prudential and MetLife MetLife employ nurse reviewers.

Nurse Case Managers
Nurse case managers work for health insurance companies, coordinating care for patients with complex needs. They connect patients with resources and collaborate with healthcare teams. Organizations like UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare and Aetna Aetna offer case manager roles.

Nurse Educators
Nurse educators teach nursing students at universities and healthcare systems. They may also participate in research and clinical practices or develop educational materials for healthcare providers. Schools like Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Johns Hopkins Nursing hire nurse educators for faculty roles.

Nurse/Medical Writers
Nurse writers create educational materials, journal articles, and patient education content. They use their clinical knowledge to provide accurate health information to both professionals and the general public. Medical writing companies like Health Writer Hub Health Writer Hub offer opportunities for nurse writers.

Occupational Health and Safety Nurses
Occupational health nurses focus on creating healthy work environments, often in sectors like manufacturing or government. They conduct screenings, develop health programs, and investigate workplace incidents. Companies like Occupational Health Resources Occupational Health Resources hire occupational health nurses to work in various industries.

Pharmaceutical Nurses
Pharmaceutical nurses educate patients about their medications, ensuring they understand their treatment plans. They work as intermediaries between healthcare providers and patients. Companies like Pfizer Pfizer and Novartis Novartis hire pharmaceutical nurses to assist with patient education and clinical trials.

Public Health Nurses
Public health nurses focus on protecting the health of communities, often working for government organizations. They promote health education and provide direct care. Agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) WHO offer public health nursing positions globally.

Rehabilitation Nurses
Rehabilitation nurses help patients with chronic conditions regain independence. They work with patients to develop personalized plans that include exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes. Healthcare systems like Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Shirley Ryan provide rehabilitation nursing roles.

Risk Management Nurses
Risk management nurses identify and manage safety risks in healthcare settings. They assess potential hazards and implement protocols to ensure patient safety. Hospitals like Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Cleveland Clinic have dedicated risk management teams that include nurses.

School Nurses
School nurses ensure the health and well-being of students. They conduct assessments, manage health issues, and promote health initiatives. Districts like Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) LAUSD and New York City Department of Education NYC DOE employ school nurses in public schools.

Telephone Triage Nurses
Telephone triage nurses provide healthcare guidance over the phone, resolving issues and offering advice on whether a clinic visit is necessary. This role requires excellent communication and patient assessment skills. Healthcare systems like Teladoc Health Teladoc and Amwell Amwell employ nurses for telehealth services.

Final Thoughts on Non-Hospital Nursing Careers

Nurses have numerous opportunities to pursue rewarding careers outside hospital settings. Whether working in education, public health, home health, or one of the many specialized roles available, non-hospital nursing careers offer the chance to make a meaningful impact. For more information on nursing job alternatives, check out resources like GoodWork.