Side Hustles for Nurses: 10 Flexible Ways to Earn Around Your Shifts

Nurses already work hard, so a side hustle has to earn its place. The best side hustles for nurses either use the skills you already have at a better rate, or take almost no energy on the days you need to rest.

Nursing schedules make this tricky. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that nurses in hospitals and care facilities often work rotating shifts and may work nights, weekends and holidays. This guide sorts ten side hustles for nurses by how much energy they take, so you can pick ones that fit your week.

Want an easy earner for your days off? Join ZySurveys free.

Side hustles that use your nursing skills

1. Per diem or PRN shifts

Picking up per diem shifts at another facility is the most direct way to earn more as a nurse. You choose when you work, and per diem roles often pay more per hour than staff positions because they come without the same benefits.

Best for: nurses who want more income and don't mind extra clinical hours.

2. Telehealth nursing

Telehealth roles cover phone triage, follow-up calls and remote monitoring. Many are part-time or flexible, and you work from home, which saves the commute on top of a hospital week.

Best for: experienced nurses who want clinical work without the floor.

3. Vaccination clinics and health screenings

Seasonal clinics, school screenings and workplace health events hire nurses for single days. They're short, predictable and often on weekends.

Best for: nurses with free weekends who like variety.

Side hustles that teach or write

4. Tutoring nursing students

Nursing students pay for help with pharmacology, care plans and exam prep. You can tutor online in the evenings, one student at a time.

Best for: nurses who enjoy explaining things.

5. Health writing and reviewing

Health websites and patient education materials need clinical reviewers and writers. The work is flexible and builds a portfolio you can grow over time.

Best for: nurses who write well and like detail.

6. Teaching CPR and first aid

Once certified as an instructor, you can teach community and workplace classes on your own schedule.

Best for: nurses who like a room full of people.

Low-energy side hustles for days off

After three 12-hour shifts, the last thing most nurses want is more patient contact. These side hustles take little energy and can be done in short bursts.

7. Paid surveys

Surveys fit between laundry and a nap. On ZySurveys you earn real US dollars, see the reward and time before you start, and cash out from $10 for your first payout. Surveys pay small amounts and you won't qualify for all of them, so read do paid surveys actually pay for realistic numbers.

Best for: recovery days when you want something easy.

8. Game offers

If you unwind with a phone game, game offers pay you for reaching goals in mobile games. See our guide to games that pay real money.

Best for: nurses who game to switch off.

9. Selling things you no longer use

Old scrubs in good condition, shoes and household items sell well on local marketplace apps, and listing takes minutes.

Best for: anyone clearing space at home.

10. Referrals

The ZySurveys referral program gives you an ongoing share of what friends you invite earn. Coworkers who ask how you earn on breaks are often the best people to invite.

Best for: nurses in busy group chats.

How to pick the right side hustle for your schedule

Your week	Good fit
Three 12-hour shifts, four days off	Per diem, clinics, tutoring
Rotating nights	Surveys, game offers, writing
Burned out, need rest	Surveys and selling only
Want to leave the bedside one day	Telehealth, writing, teaching

Nursing already pays a solid wage: the BLS reports a median pay of $97,550 a year for registered nurses in May 2025. A side hustle doesn't need to compete with that. It just needs to add something without costing you sleep.

Rules and limits to check first

• Your employer's policy. Some contracts limit outside clinical work, so check before taking per diem shifts.
• Licensing. Telehealth across state lines may need the right license or a compact license.
• Taxes. Side income is generally taxable in the US. The IRS Gig Economy Tax Center explains what to report.
• Rest. Fatigue is a safety issue in nursing. If a side hustle cuts into sleep before a shift, it isn't worth it.

For more ideas that work around a busy schedule, see side hustles for stay-at-home parentsmany of which suit nurses too.

A sample week for a nurse with a side hustle

Here's how a full-time hospital nurse working three 12-hour shifts might fit in extra income without losing every day off. Adjust it to your own rota.

Day	Plan
Shift days (3)	Nothing extra. A survey on a break only if you feel like it.
Day after a run of shifts	Rest. Low-energy only: a few surveys from the sofa, list one item to sell.
Middle day off	Main earner: a per diem shift, a vaccination clinic, or two tutoring sessions.
Last day off	Short block of writing or telehealth hours, then get ready for the week.

The key is protecting the first day after shifts. Nurses who burn out on side hustles usually do it by filling every gap. One solid earning block a week plus a few low-effort tasks adds up over a month without wrecking your sleep.

Small habits that make it easier

• Keep a list of quick tasks you can do in 10 minutes, so you don't waste rest time deciding.
• Cash out regularly. On ZySurveys your first payout is from $10, then from $5, so you see progress often. A food delivery gift card after a long week is a nice way to use it.
• Track what you earn per hour. If something pays less than it costs you in energy, drop it.

If you're still studying, our guide to side hustles for students has ideas that fit around clinical placements.

Conclusion

The best side hustles for nurses match your energy, not just your skills. Use per diem shifts, telehealth or tutoring when you want real extra income, and keep something low-effort like surveys for recovery days. Start with one, and drop it if it costs you rest.

Earn a little on your days off. Create your free account.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best side hustle for nurses?

For the most income, per diem shifts using your nursing license. For the least effort, paid surveys and selling unused items on your days off.

Can nurses work from home as a side hustle?

Yes. Telehealth nursing, tutoring nursing students, health writing and paid surveys can all be done from home.

How much do registered nurses earn?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $97,550 a year, or $46.90 an hour, for registered nurses in May 2025.

Do I have to pay taxes on nurse side hustle income?

In the US, side income is generally taxable. The IRS Gig Economy Tax Center explains what to report.