If you are considering earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree but ultimately desire an occupation outside of clinical practice, there are many non-clinical nursing career pathways to evaluate as potential options. This blog explores non-clinical nursing jobs for aspiring nurses seeking a future away from the clinical practice setting.
Clinical Nursing vs. Non-Clinical Roles
When discussing clinical vs. non-clinical nursing roles, it is important to clarify the definition of clinical nursing. Any role that interacts with a patient or client (regardless of the setting) has clinical components, but some clinical positions are found outside of traditional hospital or clinic settings. This is the definition of “non-clinical” adopted for this discussion.
Some nurses may intentionally seek a non-clinical specialty for their professional calling. Nurses develop expertise and familiarity with patient populations as they continue clinical service. Exposure to real-world situations and inspiration from direct practice experience can motivate a desire to enhance care delivery through non-clinical nursing roles.
Career Paths for Nurses
BSN-prepared nurses can pursue many nursing careers. When setting career goals in nursing, you will be less limited if you earn a BSN degree and spend at least a couple of years working as a clinical nurse.
The clinical preparation gleaned in nursing school and initial clinical practice roles can serve as a valuable foundation for roles in nursing education, the legal sector, and other health-related niches. Transferrable benefits from a BSN education include:
- Education focuses on knowledge development and critical thinking
- Communication and advocacy skills ensure better patient outcomes
- Leadership skills encourage evidence-based practice and patient advocacy
- Preparation includes case management and health promotion
A BSN degree opens opportunities for non-clinical nursing jobs that can profoundly impact the lives of others and make a meaningful difference in the world.
Non-Clinical Nursing Jobs
Read on for an exploration of non-clinical nursing jobs with helpful information to consider when planning your career path in nursing.
Academic Nurse Writer
Writing skills combined with nursing knowledge and experience characterize the role of an academic nurse writer. A primary responsibility of this position is to accurately communicate with clarity in written form for various purposes and publications.
Types of assignments an academic nurse writer may receive include:
- Grant proposals and professional manuscripts
- Marketing materials, including blogs and press releases
- Educational content development and editing
- Clinical practice guidelines
The earning potential for an academic nurse writer is highly variable depending on the nature of the work and the specialized skills or qualifications required of the author for authoritative publications. In freelance arrangements, writers may accept multiple assignments and generate consistent income through demonstrated writing quality and professionalism.
The work environment for an academic nurse writer will include a home office or other type of writing space. Still, this role may include participation in meetings, conferences, or other events where journalistic observation or other professional engagement helps craft compelling content.
Legal Nurse Consultant
The role of a legal nurse consultant combines nursing expertise with consultation on health-related matters within the legal system. This role may include responsibilities such as medical records review and case analysis in partnership with stakeholders, including:
- Attorneys
- Insurance companies
- Forensic experts
- Other care providers
A legal nurse consultant's specialized knowledge and experience are valuable in promoting risk management, navigating malpractice claims, and assisting with trial preparation. As a consultant, the guidance provided by a nurse working in the legal sector can contribute to justice and fairness when health-related matters are present.
The average annual salary for a legal nurse consultant in 2024 is approximately $88,126 according to PayScale. Employers prefer prior clinical experience for this role.
Forensic Nurse
Related but distinct from the role of a legal nurse consultant is the forensic nurse, who also works within the legal system but provides scientific analysis and patient care for those involved in legal and criminal investigations. A forensic nurse collaborates with law enforcement and may be responsible for activities such as:
- Evidence collection
- Documentation and reporting
- Courtroom testimony
- Education and advocacy for victims and families
The role of a forensic nurse can be significant and supportive for those impacted by crimes involving domestic abuse, sexual assault, and other traumatic experiences. Job responsibilities can vary in this role but include ensuring proper medical care for patients and participating in legal proceedings and criminal prosecutions.
Public Health Nurse
Public health focuses on promoting the health of individuals and families within communities and populations. The role of a public health nurse extends into communities through educational initiatives to improve health disparities and reach vulnerable populations with health services and advocacy for overall wellness. Examples include:
- Maternal and child health education
- Substance abuse prevention programs
- Disease-specific workshops and vaccination offerings
- Community development to promote healthy lifestyles that reduce disease risk
Nurses working in public health may conduct community assessments to make data-driven decisions regarding policy development, health counseling, emergency preparedness, and other population-specific interventions. Public health goals focus on disease prevention and control, and those working in this arena will frequently collaborate with non-profit organizations and governmental leadership to promote health equity.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for registered nurses in May 2023 was $86,070 or $41.38 hourly. Nurses employed in hospitals and the governmental sector were reported to earn slightly higher wages.
School Nurse
School nurses primarily work with the pediatric population (including adolescents) and provide routine health care and triage for symptomatic illness during school hours. A school nurse may be an excellent career path for those looking for clinical work in a non-clinical environment. The work environment is typically a school-based office, and the role may involve some travel from facility to facility.
Nurses in school environments will conduct health assessments, administer medications, and provide referrals when indicated. A primary responsibility is supporting students, teachers, and families while caring for health-related needs. School nurses are essential to help keep students learning in their classroom environments by keeping accurate records of immunization status and identifying potential health issues that may make learning difficult.
The BLS reported a median salary of approximately $71,550 annually in May 2023 for nurses employed in the education industry.
Nurse Researcher
If you are interested in advancing nursing knowledge through research and mentoring others along the way, the nurse researcher role may be a fitting aspiration. A research nursing role is a scholarly endeavor that may have some clinical or field components depending on the nature of the work. Typical environments for a nurse researcher include:
- Colleges and universities
- Governmental agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
According to May 2023 data reported by the BLS, nurses working in the governmental industry earned a median salary of $99,840 annually. Research findings can improve patient care outcomes as evidence is translated into clinical practice and evaluated for effectiveness in achieving health-related goals.
Occupational Nurse
The specialty of an occupational nurse is promoting the health and safety of workers in the workplace. The role includes health promotion for employee wellness and worker health surveillance to foster compliance with governmental regulations. In addition, occupational nurses may provide nursing assessment and management of workplace injuries through first aid and coordination of responses to medical emergencies.
Occupational nurses can be found in various industries and diverse work settings because they focus on creating a safety and wellness culture for workers. This role also involves collaboration and advocacy when nursing recommendations influence workplace policy development.
Nurse Case Manager
In a non-clinical role, the nurse case manager is responsible for coordinating and managing various aspects of health care for a group of patients. Examples include:
- Connecting patients with appropriate care services covered by insurance
- Reviewing medical records to assess utilization of available care options
- Discharge planning and coordination of care transfers
- Documentation and reporting for quality improvement initiatives
Case management is frequently found in home health and hospice care, insurance companies, and public health surveillance. The work environment may involve travel but also can be remote with telehealth technologies.
Nurse Educator
The role of a nurse educator involves teaching in nursing and health professions. Through workshops, hands-on training, and other educational pathways, the nurse educator uses nursing knowledge and skills to promote the professional development of nursing staff and students. The BLS reported a median annual wage of $80,780 in May 2023 for nursing instructors in postsecondary classrooms and clinical environments.
A nurse educator is essential for promoting improved care delivery and assessing opportunities to support skill development in many specialty areas. Workplaces may include clinical or office-based settings with flexibility for innovation depending on the teaching focus area and curricular goals.
Nurse Informaticist
Nursing informatics professionals work at the intersection of data, technology, and health-related business intelligence. As our world continues to evolve, the field of health informatics continues to expand and inform decisions about the future of health care.
Examples of nursing informatics assignments include:
- Systems evaluation and implementation
- Workflow analysis and improvement
- Decision support tool development and refinement
- Database management and data analysis
There are many non-clinical nursing jobs for aspiring nurses, and attaining a BSN degree is one of the first steps in preparation for these exciting career paths.
Pursue Your Accelerated BSN with Holy Family University
Holy Family University (HFU) offers an online accelerated BSN (ABSN) program for those with a prior bachelor’s degree in any non-nursing field. With this fast-paced option, you can leverage your previous education and become a nurse in less time. Reasons to choose Holy Family University for your ABSN include:
- Graduation in just 14 months
- More affordable than local programs
- High NCLEX-RN pass rates (96% in 2024)
- Fewer prerequisite courses required (5 at HFU vs. 9 or 10 with competitors)
Visit the Second Degree Distance Hybrid BSN program page to download your guide and get started on your future nursing career today.
