People may have the misconception that nurses only work in hospitals or doctor's offices after they receive their certification. However, this is far from true as earning a nursing degree and obtaining a nursing license opens many different doors in the world of healthcare. The leaderships skills and knowledge you have as a nurse could qualify you for a variety of non-clinical jobs.
Healthcare recruiting.
Some nurses have a talent for finding the right nurse for the job.1 Some staffing firms hire recruiters for contract and freelance positions, which may afford you the freedom of a flexible work schedule. This role typically searches for qualified candidates and guides them through the potential hiring process.
Health education.
When patients are diagnosed with chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, they're often given very specific instructions in order to properly manage their own treatment. Sometimes these care instructions can be difficult to understand or follow, which is where nurse educators come into the picture. They teach patients the specifics of their treatment and help them learn to manage their conditions.2 This may help prevent life threatening complications that might arise after patients have left the direct care of a medical facility.
Certified legal nurse consultant.
Working as a legal consultant might be an excellent opportunity for those individuals who aren't interested in being employed by a hospital. A career as a consultant could be performed in a number of different environments from insurance companies to government agencies.3 These nurses specifically lend their expertise in healthcare to consult on medical-related lawsuits. Legal nurse consultants conduct research on reports and summaries of care, review medical records and find witnesses to serve on the stand. This position might require you to do comprehensive investigative work for legal teams.
Nursing administrator.
Moving beyond clinical services, nurses may also find careers in healthcare management at medical facilities. These positions may take on a management-oriented role with the administrator, helping with drafting and enacting policies, scheduling meetings and appointments, planning for treatments and also budgeting the facility's expenses.
Medical writer.
The knowledge that nurses gain about best medical practices, treatment plans, diagnoses, pharmaceuticals and disease is very valuable. Because of this, many nurses contribute their experience and education with clinical topics to the world of textbooks and medical writing. Exams and reports for facilities may require extreme detail and specificity that might only be obtained through extensive understanding of medicine. Nurses may also be employed by companies that design advertisements and web articles about healthcare.
Medical device sales & manufacturing.
The device industry can be complex for non-medical individuals to navigate. Without the understanding of the many intricacies of healthcare, a salesperson wouldn't have much success getting facilities to purchase their products. That’s why nurses can be ideal candidates for selling devices to hospitals and other practices. Additionally, nurses can find work in the manufacturing side of medical equipment companies.4 Their understanding of equipment and supplies may allow them the opportunity to test and help manufacture products for clinical nurses to use around the country.
1http://www.jacksonvilleu.com/nursing-degree-resources/non-clinical-nurse-options/
2http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/non-clinical-nursing-careers.html
3http://www.thebestschools.org/blog/2011/11/23/10-nursing-careers/
4http://www.healthecareers.com/article/top-5-highest-paying-non-clinical-jobs-for-nurses/172156