Don’t Quit, Just Pivot: 13 Nurse Jobs Not at the Bedside To Start Your Remote Nursing Career
Nursing is one of the most adaptable careers out there, and let’s face it — despite what nursing school wants you to believe, bedside care isn’t the only way to make a difference.
If long shifts, physical exhaustion, or the grind of hospital life have you questioning your next move, the good news is you don’t have to leave your nursing career behind.
In the oh-so-eloquent words of Ross Geller, all you have to do is: “PIVOT!!!” 🤪
You can still use all those nursing skills and that wealth of knowledge and expertise you’ve gained over years at the bedside.
Truly, the beauty of your nursing career lies in its flexibility. Your nursing skills are incredibly valuable, and they don’t just belong in a hospital or clinic. There are a ton of exciting, nurse jobs not at the bedside that let you take control of your nursing career in new, rewarding (and remote) ways.
Maybe you’re searching for more flexibility so you can finally reclaim your personal life, or you’re looking for a role that aligns with your passions for education, wellness, or even tech.
Nursing can open doors to industries you might never have considered. These alternative careers offer the chance to use your incredible nursing skills to redefine what it means to be a nurse and build a career that allows you to work on your own terms.
Ready to explore a remote nursing career that keeps your nursing license active but allows you to step away from the bedside for good?
Let’s dive into 13 super sweet nurse jobs not at the bedside that could be your next big move for your new and improved remote nursing career (ordered by lowest US salary average to highest).
1 | Clinical Claims Review Nurse or Nurse Auditor
What You’ll Do:
A clinical claims review nurse or nurse auditor makes sure healthcare services are billed correctly and that insurance claims are accurate. You’ll dig into patient records, check that the coding lines up with the care provided, and flag any discrepancies or potential overcharges. This nurse job not at the bedside allows you to use your clinical expertise to keep things running smoothly on the financial side, optimizing reimbursements and reducing fraud.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
A sharp eye for detail to spot inconsistencies in medical records and billing codes
Strong understanding of medical terminology and coding systems
Analytical thinking to interpret complex medical records and regulatory standards
Effective communication for collaborating with providers and insurance companies to resolve discrepancies
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $51k
2 | Forensic Nurse
What You’ll Do:
Forensic nursing can be either a remote nursing career or a traditional bedside role depending on what aspects of care you enjoy most, but either way this nursing career bridges the gap between healthcare and the legal system. You’ll work closely with victims of violence or abuse, gathering and preserving crucial medical evidence that can be used in legal cases. From conducting forensic exams and collecting samples to documenting injuries, your nursing skills will help support criminal investigations. You may testify as an expert witness in court, using your medical expertise to bring justice to those affected. Look for opportunities within hospitals, legal consulting firms, or law enforcement agencies.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Strong clinical assessment skills, particularly in trauma care
Attention to detail for accurate documentation of injuries and evidence collection
Knowledge of legal and forensic protocols to support criminal investigations
Communication skills for providing expert witness testimony in court
Ability to balance compassionate patient care with investigative responsibilities
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $65k
3 | Patient Safety Nurse
What You’ll Do:
A patient safety nurse is another nursing career that can be worked both remotely and in person. Your mission is simple but critical — making sure patients receive the safest care possible. You’ll be the one spotting potential risks before they become full blown safety problems, analyzing patient data, and helping develop protocols that prevent errors or accidents in healthcare settings. Beyond that, you’ll likely train staff on best practices and roll out new safety measures, ensuring everyone’s on the same page when it comes to keeping patients safe. The focus on quality improvement gives you a chance to lead initiatives that not only benefit patients but also support your colleagues in delivering safer care.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Clinical experience to identify patterns and potential risks in patient care
Analytical skills to interpret patient safety data and develop solutions
Leadership abilities to guide quality improvement initiatives and implement protocols
Communication skills to train staff on safety measures and best practices
Problem-solving mindset for spotting and addressing issues before they escalate
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $72k
4 | Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Consultant
What You’ll Do:
An EMR consultant is the perfect remote nursing career for the nurses who love playing with technology. You’ll help healthcare facilities transition from paper records to electronic systems or simply upgrading their existing systems. Your role involves training staff, troubleshooting technical issues, and ensuring that the systems comply with regulatory standards. Luckily, nurses have unparalleled knowledge of healthcare workflows and electronic health record systems. Look for consulting opportunities through healthcare networks or technology companies that specialize in EMR systems.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
In-depth understanding of healthcare workflows and electronic health record (EHR) systems
Ability to optimize systems to improve efficiency and support better patient care
Strong communication skills for training staff on using new EMR systems
Problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot technical issues and resolve challenges
Knowledge of regulatory standards to ensure system compliance
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $86k
5 | Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC)
What You’ll Do:
Yet another superrr popular remote nursing career right now is legal nurse consulting. As a LNC, you’ll use your nursing skills and expertise to assist legal teams with medical-related cases. LNCs often work on cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury, worker’s compensation, or wrongful death. You might review medical records, provide expert opinions on healthcare standards, and help attorneys understand the complexities of medical cases.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Expertise in reviewing medical records to identify deviations from standard care practices
Analytical thinking to spot subtle details that could impact legal cases
Objectivity to evaluate cases without bias
Strong communication skills for explaining complex medical concepts to non-medical professionals
Clinical knowledge to bridge the gap between healthcare and the legal system
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $87k
6 | Telehealth or Telephone Triage Nurse
What You’ll Do:
Telehealth or telephone triage nursing is the absolute perfect remote nursing career for a nurse with emergency room experience (because, just like the ER, you never know who’s going to call in). You’ll provide virtual assessments, offer health advice, and make care recommendations over the phone or via video calls. Using your nursing skills, you’ll evaluate patient symptoms, educate them on next steps, and determine if they need further care, like visiting a clinic or hospital.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Strong clinical judgment to assess and triage patient symptoms remotely
Clear communication skills to explain medical issues and care recommendations to patients
Ability to educate patients on next steps in a way that’s easy to understand
Experience in diverse clinical settings, like emergency or family medicine, to handle a wide range of cases
Quick decision-making to determine the appropriate level of care for patients
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $87k
7 | Accreditation Specialist or Quality Nurse Consultant
What You’ll Do:
Accreditation specialists and quality nurse consultants make sure healthcare organizations meet regulatory and accreditation standards and offer the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on healthcare systems as a whole. In this (mostly) remote nursing career, you’ll lead performance improvement initiatives, assess patient safety measures, and help develop strategies that enhance the quality of care within the facility. But just FYI, this nursing career may not be fully remote because some of your duties will likely require you to be in person at times, especially during surveys.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Clinical assessment skills to evaluate patient safety measures and care quality
Critical thinking to analyze data and identify trends or areas for improvement
Knowledge of healthcare regulations and accreditation standards to ensure compliance
Leadership abilities to guide performance improvement initiatives and implement changes
Strong communication skills to collaborate across departments and drive system-wide improvements
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $87k
8 | Utilization Management Review or Clinical Documentation Review Nurse
What You’ll Do:
A utilization review nurse evaluates the necessity of medical treatments and services provided to patients. You’ll review patient records to make sure that care is both appropriate and cost-effective, helping healthcare systems prevent unnecessary procedures, reduce costs, and remain compliant with legal and billing standards.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Strong analytical skills to evaluate the necessity and efficiency of medical treatments
In-depth understanding of healthcare services, procedures, and billing standards
Attention to detail for reviewing patient records and ensuring compliance with legal and financial regulations
Clinical judgment to determine the appropriateness of care provided
Communication skills to collaborate with providers and ensure clarity in documentation
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $91k
9 | Employee Health or Occupational Health Nurse
What You’ll Do:
An occupational health nurse is responsible for promoting health and safety in the workplace. You’ll monitor the well-being of employees, manage work-related injuries or illnesses, and create safety programs to prevent future incidents. This (mostly) remote nursing career often involves advising on workplace ergonomics, conducting health screenings, and ensuring the company complies with OSHA regulations.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Knowledge of workplace safety standards and OSHA regulations to ensure compliance
Clinical expertise to manage and treat work-related injuries or illnesses
Risk assessment skills to identify and address potential workplace hazards
Communication abilities to educate employees on health promotion and prevention strategies
Collaboration with management to develop and implement effective safety programs
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $91k
10 | Research Nurse
What You’ll Do:
A research nurse allows you to work on clinical trials and medical research, assisting with study design, patient recruitment, and data collection. Research nurses can be remote or in person depending on your specific duties. Your role will involve ensuring patient safety throughout the study while contributing to medical advances in treatments, pharmaceuticals, and disease prevention.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Clinical expertise to ensure patient safety and adherence to study protocols
Attention to detail for accurate data collection and documentation
Strong organizational skills to manage study participants and timelines
Communication skills to educate participants about study procedures and outcomes
Analytical thinking to contribute to study design and evaluate research findings
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $95k
11 | Care Coordinator or Case Manager
What You’ll Do:
A care coordinator or case manager is a remote nursing career for the nurse who wants to continue working directly with patients and help them navigate our overly complicated healthcare system. You’ll manage their treatment plans, coordinate services across multiple providers, and ensure they’re getting the care they need. Whether it’s assisting someone post-surgery, managing a chronic illness, or helping them access different therapies, you’re there to guide them every step of the way.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Patient advocacy to ensure individuals receive the care and services they need
Communication skills for coordinating with multidisciplinary teams like doctors, social workers, and therapists
Organizational abilities to manage complex treatment plans and track patient progress
Education skills to guide and empower patients in making informed health decisions
Problem-solving to address challenges and streamline care delivery
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $98k
12 | Nurse Informatics
What You’ll Do:
Nursing informatics is a pretty quintessential remote nursing career at this point. These nurses work at the intersection of healthcare and technology, optimizing EMRs, improving data flow between departments, and ensuring that technology enhances patient care. You’ll also be responsible for training staff on new systems and troubleshooting technical issues.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Clinical expertise to align technology with nursing workflows and patient care needs
Analytical thinking to optimize EMR systems and data flow
Problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot technical issues and improve system functionality
Communication skills for training staff and ensuring seamless adoption of new technologies
Knowledge of healthcare IT to bridge the gap between clinical practice and technology
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $98k
13 | Nursing Instructor or Clinical Professor
What You’ll Do:
Nursing instructors teach nursing students in academic or clinical settings so you get to choose to make this a remote nursing career or work hands-on with students in hospitals. Teaching involves developing lesson plans, providing instruction, and mentoring students throughout their nursing education. Your teaching and mentoring skills will be central in this nursing career, but just FYI, an advanced nursing degree (MSN or DNP) is required for most teaching positions.
Nursing Skills You’ll Leverage:
Teaching and mentoring skills to guide nursing students through their education
Clinical experience to provide real-world context for nursing concepts and practices
Communication skills to explain complex topics in an understandable way
Organizational abilities to develop lesson plans and manage instructional materials
Leadership skills to inspire and support the next generation of nurses
What You’ll Make:
US Salary Average: $106k
Here’s Your Call To Pivot
One of the best things about being a nurse is the limitless possibilities that come with your skillset. Just because bedside nursing doesn’t align with your life or career goals anymore doesn’t mean you have to walk away from your nursing career altogether.
The truth is, you’re sitting on a treasure trove of nursing skills that can open doors to exciting, flexible, and rewarding opportunities beyond the bedside.
Nursing is a career that evolves with you! And you have the power to shape your path, pivot into a role that excites you, and still make a lasting impact.
Why quit when you can pivot? Embrace the journey, find the role that reignites your passion, and fall in love with nursing all over again — all on your own terms.
And if you’re interested in everything I’m doing in myyy remote nursing career, come join me in The Huddle for weekly career and copywriting inspiration. Let’s be nurse besties five-ever and create the lives we’ve always dreamed of. 🥹
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