Fatigue, irritability, and cynicism are just a few of the many signs and symptoms of burnout in nursing.
Although nursing can be a flourishing and fulfilling career path for healthcare professionals, providing economic security and professional growth, burnout is becoming more common and persuading more nurses to seek out a better work-life balance.
Luckily, there are different nursing jobs that offer more flexibility and freedom while allowing nurses to stay active in a healthcare role.
If you are a nurse looking for a change, here are five of the best nursing jobs for burned-out nurses.
1. Per diem nurse: Best for flexibility
A per diem nurse works on an as-needed basis to help fill gaps in coverage in different medical settings and environments. Per diem nurses can usually work as much or as little as they want, making this type of work a top choice for burned-out nurses looking for more work-life equilibrium.
Below is a breakdown of the who, what, where, and how of a per diem nurse’s role in the industry.
Who is a per diem nurse?
A per diem or PRN nurse covers clinical shifts for different healthcare facilities. Per diem literally means “per day,” and in nursing, it refers to a healthcare professional who chooses the shifts they want to work. This provides the utmost autonomy for nurses who may feel overwhelmed by their regular nursing job.
Where can a per diem nurse work?
A per diem nurse can work in almost every type of medical setting, including private and public healthcare environments such as the following:
- Hospitals
- Private clinics
- Physicians’ offices
- Nursing homes
- Vaccination hubs
- Outpatient facilities
What duties will a per diem nurse have?
The duties of a per diem nurse will depend on the type of facility or department where they pick up shifts. The roles and responsibilities of a per diem nurse will also be relative to their type of license and experience.
Common responsibilities of per diem nurses include the following:
- Providing direct patient care such as monitoring vital signs, helping with daily activities, and administering medications
- Doing patient assessments by collecting medical histories and documenting physical and psychological symptoms
- Working with physicians and the rest of the healthcare team to create patient care plans
- Developing continuing care plans for when patients are discharged
How can I become a per diem nurse, and how much can I earn?
A per diem nurse is essentially a licensed nurse who has at least some amount of clinical experience that qualifies them to start covering shifts in healthcare settings.
A per diem nurse may be a registered nurse or a licensed practical/vocational nurse who has earned their degree from an accredited nursing school or a practical/vocational program. For RNs, this requires at least an associate's or bachelor’s degree in nursing and successfully passing the NCLEX-RN. For LPNs/LVNs, preparation typically takes about a year, and licensure requires passing the NCLEX-PN.
Because per diem nurses don’t typically receive benefits, they tend to earn a higher wage per hour compared to their employed counterparts.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly pay for a registered nurse is $45. Per diem nurses who pick up shifts with Nursa can earn significantly higher hourly wages. The hourly wage will depend on a nurse’s location and license type, among other factors.
2. Healthcare consultant
A healthcare consultant works professionally in different medical settings to analyze, evaluate, and propose solutions for various challenges that health systems face.
Below is a breakdown of the who, what, where, and how of a healthcare consultant's role in the industry.
Who is a healthcare consultant?
A healthcare consultant works with medical institutions to develop, strategize, and come up with solutions to enhance a facility’s operations. Their ultimate goal is to improve patient care by developing strategies that will increase operational efficiency and reduce overall costs in a medical facility.
Where can a healthcare consultant work?
A healthcare consultant could work in a range of healthcare settings, such as the following:
- Hospitals
- Private physicians’ offices or clinics
- Outpatient care
- Health insurance companies
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Hospice
- State or federal agencies
Additionally, a healthcare consultant may choose to work for other consulting firms that specialize in improving healthcare operations.
What duties will a healthcare consultant have?
The beauty of being a healthcare consultant is that no day is the same. That’s because the duties of a healthcare consultant require adaptability to the different circumstances and challenges of each unique medical institution.
Here are some common responsibilities of healthcare consultants:
- Analyzing health data such as patient records, medical billing systems, and surveys like the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey (HCAHPS)
- Identifying trends and patterns within the data to guide them on how to improve the quality and quantity of patient care and reduce overall costs
- Training staff on new technologies or processes that will improve operational efficiency within a healthcare setting
- Monitoring and tracking performance after new strategies and solutions have been implemented through patient satisfaction scores, staff turnover rates, and financial performance
How can I become a healthcare consultant, and how much can I earn?
A healthcare consultant typically has a bachelor’s degree in healthcare or business administration. The majority of health consultants also pursue an advanced degree in these areas.
Holding a master of business administration (MBA) will make an individual more marketable in healthcare consultation, as it shows credibility and expertise in their field.
Also, having a few years of clinical experience under their belt will improve their chances of being hired at a facility looking for a healthcare consultant to fulfill this dynamic role.
A healthcare consultant’s salary is high, especially if they have an advanced degree such as an MBA. Some sources report healthcare consultants making up to $162,661 a year.
3. Health coach
A health coach works professionally with clients, generally on a one-on-one basis. Health coaches help clients strive towards a healthier lifestyle by providing guidance on how to make sustainable changes to their diet, exercise routines, and other daily habits.
Below is a breakdown of the who, what, where, and how of a health coach's role in the industry.
Who is a health coach?
A health coach provides guidance on how to live a healthier lifestyle. The beauty of a health coach job is that it offers tons of flexibility for burned-out nurses seeking non-nursing jobs, as it may be less stressful to work in a non-clinical environment.
Where can a health coach work?
A health coach is able to work in a diverse range of environments, such as the following:
- Hospitals
- Private clinics/practices
- Corporate offices
- Fitness centers
- Nursing homes
Apart from these settings, a health coach may choose to work remotely, using technology and digital services to meet with clients online and help them make different lifestyle changes.
What duties will a health coach have?
The duties and responsibilities of a health coach will depend on each individual’s area of focus and the type of clientele they wish to work with.
The following are common responsibilities of health coaches:
- Working with clients who wish to change, modify, and improve their everyday lifestyle choices
- Giving guidance on how to implement healthier lifestyle changes by creating personalized wellness plans
- Monitoring progress throughout a client’s journey, providing support and tips on how to stick with their plan
- Setting realistic health goals and empowering clients to achieve these goals
How can I become a health coach, and how much can I earn?
Social media may have convinced you that anyone can become a health coach, but this is not the case. If you are committed to becoming a health coach, you will need to complete one or several approved training programs and pass a certification exam.
While some training programs accept an individual with just a high school diploma or its equivalent, the majority prefer that applicants have at least a bachelor’s degree.
Nurses who have completed their nursing degrees and accrued clinical experience may have an easier time qualifying for these programs. Reputable training programs that offer health coach certifications include the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the Health Coach Institute, and the National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC).
These trainings are usually completed online, in person, or in a hybrid of both formats. Health coach training programs can be self-paced or formal and last anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months. A health coach can make anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000, according to different sources.
4. Telehealth nurse
Telehealth nurses often work remotely through their tablets, computers, or mobile devices to offer healthcare advice and education to patients. If you are passionate about nursing but burned out from clinical settings, a career in telehealth is a great way to switch things up.
Below is a breakdown of the who, what, where, and how of a telehealth nurse's role in the industry.
Who is a telehealth nurse?
A telehealth nurse typically works from home and provides patient education and advice through the use of telemedicine and technology. They attend to patients who are suffering from acute or chronic conditions, delivering care remotely through messaging, phone calls, or video calls.
Where can a telehealth nurse work?
One of the main advantages of working as a telehealth nurse is that they can work from anywhere. While some may choose to work in a hospital setting, such as an office or medical call center, many opt to work independently from home.
Some telehealth nurses choose to work directly with patients, providing home visits and monitoring patients in their homes. This type of telehealth service is ideal for patients who are unable to travel long distances to healthcare facilities and need a more personalized and convenient form of care.
What duties will a telehealth nurse have?
A telehealth nurse will be in charge of several patient care responsibilities that require critical thinking skills and expertise.
Common responsibilities of telehealth nurses include the following:
- Gathering patient information via virtual means and making a general assessment of a patient’s health status
- Acting as a first point of contact for patients who need calm and clear instructions on what steps to take next in order to treat their symptoms
- Formulating a diagnosis in relation to a patient’s medical history and present symptoms
- Working as a liaison between hospitals or other primary caregivers to ensure appropriate triage and safe hand-off of patients who require transition to a higher level of care
How can I become a telehealth nurse, and how much can I earn?
A telehealth nurse is a registered nurse who has earned their degree from an accredited nursing program and successfully passed the NCLEX-RN exam. Most likely, a telehealth nurse will also have a good amount of clinical experience in the field and may even be specialized in a certain area of nursing.
According to various sources, a telehealth nurse makes an average of $89 per hour and can make up to $120 per hour. This pay is competitive for a registered nurse, considering the high degree of flexibility and ability to work from a remote location.
5. Cruise ship nurse
A cruise ship nurse works on—you guessed it—a cruise ship to provide basic first aid and handle minor and, occasionally, major medical issues for crew members and passengers. Working as a cruise ship nurse is an ideal position for burned-out nurses who want a major change of pace from their everyday clinical jobs.
Who is a cruise ship nurse?
A cruise ship nurse attends to passengers and crew when they are sick or dealing with certain medical issues. The nurse may also help administer medications and provide emergency nursing care when needed.
Depending on the size of the cruise ship, a team of at least one or two doctors and a few nurses will be on board to handle medical issues that arise in passengers or crew.
Where can a cruise ship nurse work?
It’s all in the name. A cruise ship nurse can work on a cruise ship of any size or capacity, providing nursing care while at sea. A cruise ship nurse will generally work based on a contract and have a few months' break between jobs.
For instance, cruise ship nurses may work four months straight for a cruise line and then take a couple of months off before starting a new contract. A cruise ship nurse may work with one or several cruise lines throughout the year.
What duties will a cruise ship nurse have?
Cruise ship nurses share common responsibilities across cruise lines, which may include providing the following services:
- Providing first aid and direct patient care for seasickness, sunstroke, or care for more severe medical issues, such as serious injuries
- Monitoring equipment and nursing technology to ensure that healthcare tools are functioning properly
- Working with a team of healthcare professionals to ensure a smooth and safe delivery of medical care
- Advising patients regarding the need to be escorted to land in order to receive a higher level of care
How can I become a cruise ship nurse, and how much can I earn?
To work aboard a cruise ship as a nurse, you typically need to hold a valid Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification. Apart from that, you should be a registered nurse with at least two to three years of experience in a clinical setting.
Cruise ship lines often give preference to nurses who have experience working in the emergency department or intensive care units, as this shows they handle critical and high-pressure situations. According to diverse sources, a cruise ship nurse can make an average of $80,321 per year, which is around $39 an hour.
Different non-clinical nursing jobs
Some of the most common career changes for nurses happen when they feel burned out in their jobs. Working in a fast-paced clinical environment can cause a nurse to seek out an alternative or non-clinical job.
These different nursing positions can include working non-bedside jobs where you won’t be with a large influx of patients on a daily basis.
Other popular alternatives for nurses who want a career change are the following:
- A nurse educator
- A social worker
- A forensic nurse
What can you do with a nursing degree if you don’t want to be a nurse?
Some non-nursing jobs for nurses who want to take a complete step back from bedside nursing include the following:
- Medical researcher
- School counselor
- Nurse blogger
Is nursing a good career?
Absolutely! Nursing is a great career. However, if you are a nurse suffering from burnout, you probably think that nursing is one of the hardest jobs out there.
To be honest, it is, but some of the happiest nursing jobs are those that take you out of a rigid clinical setting and into a more flexible and rewarding environment. PRN nursing, for example, allows you to choose how much or how little you want to work and actually find work-life balance outside of bedside nursing.
Other less stressful nursing jobs, such as telehealth nursing or health coaching, are good changes of pace for nurses who are burned out. In the end, prioritizing your health means making sure your professional life is synonymous with your personal wellbeing.
As you consider your next career steps in the nursing field, don’t overlook the exciting and rapidly growing opportunities in cannabis nursing. Explore this unique specialty to expand your skills and make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives.
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