For many, a career in nursing means scrubs, long shifts in a clinical setting, and hands-on patient care. But what happens when the bedside feels unsustainable, or when your goals shift and you want a different pace?
After stepping away from bedside nursing, I discovered a world of fulfilling roles outside of direct patient care.
Let’s look at 10 of the best non-bedside nursing jobs—some of which I’ve worked in—that are worth considering.
Case Management & Care Coordination
As a case manager, you become the bridge between patients, families, and healthcare teams. This role is about guiding patient-centered care.
It’s ideal for nurses who love problem-solving, coordination, and making sure patients get the resources they need to improve outcomes.
My first non-bedside role was as an oncology case manager, where I learned how vital this work is in keeping patients supported and informed.
Work Environments
- Hospitals
- Insurance companies
- Home health agencies
- Outpatient clinics
- Nursing homes
Key Responsibilities
- Managing discharge plans
- Coordinating referrals and follow-up appointments
- Ensuring patients understand their treatment plans
- Connecting patients to community resources
- Reviewing care for quality and cost-effectiveness
- Facilitating insurance authorization and utilization review
Requirements
- Active registered nurse (RN) license
- At least one year of clinical experience
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Familiarity with insurance and healthcare systems
- Certification in case management (CCM) preferred
Nurse Education (Academic & Clinical Educators)
Nurse educators train the next generation of nurses through classroom instruction, clinical supervision, and curriculum development. In this role, you share your expertise while staying connected to the profession.
Work Environments
- Nursing schools
- Health systems
- Online education platforms
Key Responsibilities
- Developing nursing curricula and continuing education programs
- Delivering lectures and facilitating classroom discussions
- Grading exams, assignments, and providing feedback
- Clinical supervision of nursing students
- Mentoring and evaluating nursing students
Requirements
- Advanced degree (master’s degree in nursing or higher often required)
- Strong communication and teaching skills
- Several years of clinical experience
- Teaching or precepting experience preferred
Nursing Informatics & Clinical Analysts
Nursing informatics and clinical analyst roles focus on improving patient care through better data systems, electronic health records (EHRs), and clinical workflows.
It’s a great fit for detail-oriented nurses who enjoy problem-solving and systems thinking.
Work Environments
- Large health systems
- EHR software vendors
- Healthcare technology firms
- Academic and research institutions
- Insurance and managed care organizations
Key Responsibilities
- Designing and improving clinical documentation systems
- Training staff on workflow and new technologies
- Analyzing clinical data to improve patient outcomes
- Developing clinical decision support tools
- Project management for system upgrades and rollouts
Requirements
- Strong technology, problem-solving, and analytical skills
- Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) usually required
- Advanced nursing informatics-specific degree preferred
Telehealth & Virtual Nursing
Telehealth nurses provide patient care, education, and support through video calls, phone consultations, and remote monitoring technology. Care happens online rather than at the bedside, usually from your home office, with flexible scheduling.
Work Environments
- Remote and work-from-home positions
- Telehealth management companies
- Hospital systems
- Insurance companies
- Home health organizations
Key Responsibilities
- Triaging patient calls and determining appropriate care levels
- Conducting patient assessments via phone or video
- Educating patients on treatment plans and medications
- Monitoring patients with digital health tools
- Documenting care in EHRs and communicating with providers
Requirements
- Active RN license (multi-state or compact license often preferred)
- Strong communication and technology skills
- One to two years of bedside clinical experience
- Reliable internet connection and quiet workspace
- Ability to work independently and manage virtual workflows
Clinical Research Nursing
Clinical research nurses help with testing, tracking, and fine-tuning emerging therapies. They guide participants through clinical trials, monitor their safety, and collect data.
It’s a detail-driven role for nurses who love science and want to be part of something groundbreaking.
Work Environments
- Academic medical centers
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Contract research organizations (CROs)
- Various types of research facilities
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinating and managing clinical trials
- Screening, educating, and consenting study participants
- Administering study protocols
- Collecting and documenting research data
- Collaborating with investigators and regulatory teams
Requirements
- Active RN license (BSN often required)
- Attention to detail and organizational skills
- Strong clinical and assessment skills
- Knowledge of research ethics and regulatory guidelines
Utilization Review/Insurance Nurse
Behind every insurance approval or denial, there’s often a nurse reviewing the details. Utilization review (UR) nurses review medical records and treatment plans to determine whether care meets medical necessity criteria. I transitioned into this role after case management, and my background in medical billing and coding (though not required) helped. This role may be ideal if you enjoy diving into clinical details and behind-the-scenes advocacy.
Work Environments
- Insurance companies
- Third-party review organizations
- Government health agencies
- Hospitals and other health systems
Key Responsibilities
- Reviewing medical records for treatment appropriateness
- Making coverage determinations based on clinical guidelines
- Communicating decisions to providers and patients
- Coordinating peer-to-peer reviews
- Documenting decisions and rationale
Requirements
- Active RN license (BSN often preferred)
- At least two years of experience in acute care or case management
- Strong clinical judgment
- Excellent communication and documentation skills
- Familiarity with insurance criteria and coding can be beneficial
Quality Improvement/Risk Management/Patient Safety Nurse
Lowering infection rates, preventing errors, and improving patient outcomes are top priorities in healthcare, and nurses in quality improvement, risk management, and patient safety roles are often at the center of that work.
Work Environments
- Hospitals and other health systems
- Government health agencies
- Insurance companies
- Accreditation organizations
- Healthcare consulting firms
Key Responsibilities
- Investigating patient safety incidents
- Analyzing data to find trends and improvement opportunities
- Developing policies and procedures to reduce risk
- Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on quality initiatives
- Ensuring compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards
Requirements
- Active RN license (BSN often required)
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- Clinical experience with and an understanding of healthcare processes
- Knowledge of quality metrics and regulatory standards
- Certification in quality or risk management preferred
Occupational Health Nurse
Think back to when you started a new job and had to undergo pre-employment physicals. The nurse who drew your blood, updated your vaccines, and made sure you were fit for duty was likely an occupational health nurse. These nurses help keep employees healthy and safe at work.
Work Environments
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- Corporate offices
- Government agencies and military bases
- Construction and industrial sites
- Schools with employee health programs
Key Responsibilities
- Conducting pre-employment exams
- Coordinating return-to-work plans
- Managing workers’ compensation cases
- Maintaining staff immunization programs
- Developing workplace safety and wellness programs
Requirements
- Active RN license
- At least two years of clinical experience
- Knowledge of occupational health and safety regulations
- Certification in occupational health nursing preferred
Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses care for populations to prevent disease and promote wellness, address health disparities, investigate outbreaks, and educate communities about health risks. During the COVID pandemic, they became widely recognized for their roles in contact tracing, vaccine clinics, and community outreach.
Work Environments
- National agencies
- Local and state health departments
- Community health centers
- Educational institutions
Key Responsibilities
- Conducting community health assessments
- Responding to outbreaks and public health emergencies
- Providing health education, vaccinations, and preventive services
- Collecting and analyzing population health data
- Advocating for policies that improve community health
Requirements
- Active RN license
- BSN often required; advanced degrees preferred for leadership roles
- Clinical experience in acute or primary care
- Background in epidemiology and population health
- Cultural competence and the ability to work with diverse populations
Legal Nurse Consultant
Legal nurse consultants act as a bridge between the medical and legal worlds. They review medical cases and help attorneys understand clinical details. It’s a behind-the-scenes role for nurses who enjoy digging into medical records and solving clinical puzzles.
Work Environments
- Law firms
- Insurance companies
- Healthcare organizations’ risk management departments
- Independent consulting practices
- Government agencies and regulatory bodies
Key Responsibilities
- Reviewing medical records for legal cases
- Educating attorneys on medical procedures
- Preparing case summaries and expert reports
- Serving as expert witnesses in court
- Assisting with trial preparation
Requirements
- Active RN license
- Extensive clinical experience
- Attention to detail and strong analytical thinking
- Familiarity with legal processes and documentation
- Legal nurse consulting certification (LNCC) often preferred
Choosing the Right Non-Bedside Role
Stepping away from the bedside doesn’t have to mean stepping away from nursing. It can mean finding a role where you can use your skills in new and fulfilling ways. If one of these non-bedside nursing jobs piqued your interest, talk to a nurse in that role and ask to shadow them for a while. Seeing the work up close is often a good way to know if it’s the right fit.
