Types Of Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs And How To Become A Travel Nurse

When we think of nursing, we tend to think of hospitals and bedside care, but there are in fact various fields of nursing that don’t involve caring for patients in this way.

Aspiring nurses with a passion for travel or community work may be interested in learning about the alternatives to bedside care.

This can help you decide which nursing field you would like to pursue and which of the various positions aligns most closely with your skills and experience.

In this article, we explore the various non-bedside nursing roles.

Non-bedside nursing roles

To help you decide what you want to do in your nursing career, here are some examples of positions that don’t involve caring for patients at the bedside.

Nurse entrepreneur

A nurse entrepreneur is a unique type of nurse who establishes and operates their own business in the nursing industry. Nurse entrepreneurs can provide healthcare products and services or direct patient care.

Their primary duties involve creating and executing a business strategy, handling finances, advertising and promoting their business, and delivering high-quality care to their clients. Nurse entrepreneurs need to remain knowledgeable about industry trends and adhere to regulatory standards. They may also need to oversee staff.

Using their nursing knowledge, they can identify opportunities and develop innovative solutions to address the needs of their patients and local communities. Nurse entrepreneurship presents an exciting avenue for nurses to apply their expertise and experience to improve healthcare.

Nurse executive

A nurse executive is a nursing professional who is responsible for managing and leading healthcare organizations and teams. Nurse executives play a crucial role in shaping and implementing policies and procedures that guide patient care and organizational operations.

Their primary duties involve overseeing staff and resource management, developing and implementing strategic plans, establishing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

They also work to foster a positive and collaborative work environment, promote staff development, and continuously evaluate and improve organizational performance.

Nurse executives use their leadership and nursing expertise to drive innovation and promote excellence in healthcare delivery.

Research nurse

Research nurses conduct clinical studies to collect and manage data, and provide care for participants. They work closely with research teams to ensure that the study protocol is followed, informed consent is obtained, and data is collected accurately and ethically.

The primary duties of a research nurse include screening and recruiting eligible participants, conducting physical assessments, collecting and analyzing data, administering investigational drugs or treatments, and monitoring participant safety. Research nurses also play an important role in educating patients and families about the study and ensuring their overall wellbeing throughout the study period.

They use their nursing expertise to contribute to the development of new treatments and therapies, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

Nurse educator

These nursing professionals teach and train future nurses, healthcare providers and patients. They work in academic and clinical settings, developing and delivering educational programs that promote nursing knowledge and skills.

The primary duties of a nurse educator include developing curricula, designing and implementing educational programs, evaluating student performance, and giving feedback and guidance to students. Nurse educators may also conduct research, mentor new educators, and engage in professional development activities.

They use their nursing expertise to inspire and shape the next generation of healthcare providers, ultimately improving patient outcomes and promoting the nursing profession.

Case manager

A case manager serves as a liaison between patients and healthcare teams, with the aim of enhancing health outcomes and quality of life. They collaborate with patients, families and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop personalized care plans that cater to the specific needs of each patient.

Nurse case managers’ primary responsibilities include assessing patients’ requirements, coordinating care services, tracking progress, evaluating outcomes and advocating for patients.

Moreover, they work toward ensuring that patients receive appropriate healthcare services and resources such as referrals to community organizations or home health services. Through their nursing expertise, they aim to improve patient outcomes, ensure continuity of care and optimize healthcare resources.

Legal nurse consultant

These nursing specialists offer expert opinions and advisory services to attorneys, insurance firms and healthcare providers. The main responsibilities of these professionals entail examining medical records, interpreting and analyzing healthcare-related problems, and providing valuable insights in medical-legal disputes.

Legal nurse consultants are also often involved in conducting research, identifying potential witnesses and educating legal practitioners on medical-related concerns.

Their nursing proficiency and experience help them to create links between the healthcare and legal domains, which proves to be highly instrumental in resolving intricate medical-legal cases.

School nurse

A school nurse provides healthcare services to students and staff in educational settings. They are responsible for promoting and protecting the health of students, preventing and controlling the spread of illness, and managing medical emergencies.

The primary duties of a school nurse include assessing and managing student health needs, administering medication, monitoring chronic health conditions, conducting health screenings, and providing health education to students and staff.

They work closely with teachers, administrators and parents to ensure that students are healthy and able to learn. School nurses use their nursing expertise to promote wellness and prevent illness, ultimately contributing to the academic success and overall wellbeing of students.

Nurse recruiter

Nurse recruiters play a crucial role in identifying and recruiting talented nursing professionals who meet the organization’s staffing needs. The primary duties of a nurse recruiter include developing and implementing recruitment strategies, screening and interviewing candidates, verifying credentials, negotiating offers and onboarding new hires.

Nurse recruiters also work closely with nursing leaders and human resources to ensure that staffing needs are met and that the organization remains in compliance with employment regulations.

They use their nursing expertise to identify and hire the best candidates for nursing positions, ultimately contributing to the provision of quality patient care.

Forensic nurse

A forensic nurse has expertise in gathering and safeguarding evidence linked to criminal activities or mishaps involving patients. Their key responsibilities involve performing medical-legal examinations, recording injuries, and acquiring and scrutinizing forensic evidence.

Forensic nurses collaborate closely with legal authorities, lawyers and other healthcare professionals to guarantee the accurate collection and preservation of evidence.

They may offer their professional opinion in court proceedings and provide support to individuals impacted by violence or trauma. By utilizing their nursing proficiency, forensic nurses play a vital role in solving medical-legal cases and promoting the safety and welfare of their patients and communities.

Travel nurse

Perhaps the furthest from bedside care, travel nurses take on short-term assignments across various healthcare settings, often spanning different cities or even countries. These assignments are typically facilitated through staffing agencies that specialize in placing healthcare professionals in temporary roles.

Travel nurses work in a range of specialties, such as critical care, emergency medicine, and labor and delivery, and their responsibilities include managing patient needs, administering medication, providing patient education and collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams. They must be adaptable to different working environments, cultures and patient populations.

Travel nursing provides an opportunity to gain diverse clinical experiences, explore new places, and receive competitive compensation and benefits.

Travel nurses have additional responsibilities related to travel, such as managing their own housing, transportation and licensing requirements in different states or countries. They may also need to be available for on-call shifts or work long hours.

Travel nurses use their nursing expertise to provide quality patient care in different healthcare settings and to foster positive working relationships with healthcare teams.

Their ability to adapt and thrive in new environments makes them an essential resource for healthcare organizations in need of temporary staffing support.

How To Become A Travel Nurse?

Discovering how to become a travel nurse can help you take the necessary first steps toward securing this increasingly sought-after position. You can find out more about becoming a travel nurse by reading Elmhurst University’s blog.

Elmhurst University offers plenty of advice and guidance on beginning or continuing your journey in nursing, as well as many degree options.

Travel nurses have the freedom to travel to various healthcare facilities, which may be in different cities, states or countries, making it an interesting and varied position. Here are some steps that you can take to become a travel nurse.

Gain a nursing degree

The first step toward becoming a travel nurse is earning a nursing degree from a nursing program that is duly accredited.

The nursing degree can be an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or a diploma in nursing from an authorized nursing program. These programs usually span from two to four years and cover crucial topics such as anatomy, pharmacology and patient care, among others.

Pursuing a nursing degree will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge required to provide exceptional patient care and make you eligible for obtaining a license as a registered nurse (RN), which is a prerequisite for practicing as a travel nurse.

Get licensed

After obtaining a nursing degree, getting licensed requires passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and meeting the specific licensing requirements of the state in which you intend to work.

The NCLEX-RN is a standardized exam that evaluates nursing knowledge and skills. To meet the state’s licensing requirements, you may need to submit an application, provide transcripts, undergo a background check and complete additional training, among other things.

Licensing prerequisites vary from state to state, so it’s crucial to research the specific requirements of the state in which you plan to work. Once you’re licensed, you can practice as an RN and pursue a career in nursing.

Gain experience

Typically, travel nursing agencies require candidates to have at least one year of nursing experience in a hospital environment, with a focus on a specialty area such as medical-surgical, critical care or emergency nursing.

This hospital experience is essential in acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-stress environment while providing exceptional patient care.

Having experience in a particular nursing specialty increases your chances of being considered for a travel nursing role in that area.

Although some travel nursing agencies may accept candidates with less experience, a minimum of one year of hospital nursing experience is usually preferred.

Apply to travel nursing agencies

After identifying the travel nursing agencies that best align with your career goals, the next step is to complete the application process, which usually entails submitting your nursing license information, references and resume.

The application process may also involve interviews, background checks and verification of your nursing experience.

The agency will then match your qualifications and preferences with available travel nursing assignments in various locations, enabling you to choose an assignment that best fits your goals and interests.

Submitting a polished resume, obtaining strong references, and ensuring that your nursing license is current and up to date can increase your chances of being hired by your preferred travel nursing agency.

Fulfill any additional requirements

In some cases, specific travel nursing assignments may require additional certifications or training, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

These certifications are typically required for travel nursing assignments in critical care, emergency or pediatric settings. Some states may require travel nurses to obtain additional state-specific certifications or training.

Obtaining these certifications and training can enhance your skillset, increase your eligibility for high-paying assignments, and expand your career opportunities as a travel nurse.

Therefore, it is essential to research the requirements for each travel nursing assignment and obtain any necessary certifications or training.

There are many non-bedside roles available for aspiring nurses. If you are interested in pursuing this type of role, why not look into enrolling on a course today?