Think nursing only happens at the bedside? From boardrooms to research labs, the world of nursing is full of exciting, non-traditional career paths.
Nursing presents a plethora of opportunities for nurses to work at the bedside or in another area. Non-bedside nursing jobs can let nurses leverage their skills and expertise outside of traditional clinical settings.
While many nurses initially enter the profession with the intention of providing direct patient care at the bedside, there are many alternative career paths that allow nurses to make a significant impact in healthcare, research, education, policy, and technology.
While these roles may require additional education, training, or certification, they offer opportunities for professional growth, development, and advancement. Let’s explore some of the most common and exciting non-bedside nursing roles.
Nursing informatics
Nurse informaticists bridge the gap between health care and technology, using their clinical expertise to use electronic health records, health information systems, and other digital tools. In this capacity, nurse informaticists ensure that technology is effectively integrated into clinical practice, ultimately improving patient care, safety, and efficiency.
This non-traditional nursing role requires a deep understanding of both clinical workflows and healthcare technology. Nurse informaticists’ duties include:
- Designing, implementing, and evaluating health information systems and applications
- Developing and maintaining standards, policies, and procedures for data collection, storage, analysis, and reporting
- Providing training, education, and support to nurses and other healthcare staff on how to use technology effectively
- Conducting research and quality improvement projects that leverage data and technology to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction
Nurse education
Nurse educators work in universities, community colleges, healthcare organizations, or community settings to train and mentor the next generation of nurses. They can influence the quality of care and patient safety by imparting their knowledge, skills, and values to aspiring and experienced nurses.
Nurse educators also contribute to advancing nursing science and practice by conducting research, disseminating evidence-based practices, and advocating for policy changes that support the nursing profession and public health. Nurse educators’ responsibilities include:
- Designing and implementing educational programs and curricula
- Evaluating the effectiveness and outcomes of educational interventions
- Serving as mentors for nursing students and novice nurses
- Providing clinical supervision and guidance to nursing students
- Engaging in scholarly activities such as conducting research, publishing articles, and presenting at conferences
Research nursing
Research nursing offers a non-bedside career path for nurses who are passionate about contributing to the advancement of healthcare through scientific inquiry. Research nurses work in clinical trials, academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare organizations to conduct and coordinate research studies.
They collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to collect data, monitor patient safety, and ensure compliance with research protocols. Research nurses play a vital role in expanding medical knowledge, developing new treatments and therapies, and improving the quality of patient care through evidence-based practices.
Research nurses’ duties include:
- Recruiting and screening participants for clinical trials
- Educating participants about a study’s procedures, risks, and benefits
- Administering interventions, medications, or treatments following study protocol
- Collecting and recording data from participants using various tools and methods
- Evaluating the outcomes and effectiveness of studies
- Assisting with data analysis and dissemination of clinical findings
Virtual nursing
Virtual nursing is a growing field that has revolutionized the way healthcare is delivered, allowing nurses to provide care and support to patients through virtual platforms. This area has become particularly relevant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it enables nurses to deliver care to patients, minimize in-person contact, and enhance access to healthcare services for underserved patient populations.
Virtual nurses use telecommunication technologies to deliver healthcare services to patients remotely. Some functions of a virtual nurse include:
- Conducting virtual assessments
- Educating patients
- Coordinating care with healthcare teams
- Medication management
Nurses in these roles also leverage their clinical expertise to design and implement virtual care programs, integrate telehealth platforms into healthcare systems, and ensure the seamless delivery of virtual care services.
These non-bedside nursing roles represent just a fraction of the career opportunities available to nurses beyond traditional clinical settings. Whether contributing to healthcare technology, education, or research, non-bedside nursing roles allow nurses to make a meaningful impact on patient care, healthcare delivery, and the advancement of the nursing profession.
