When most people think of retirement, they think of spending time traveling, finding new hobbies, or being with loved ones. But what about a second career?
Twenty-three percent of retirees plan to continue working as long as possible, according to a report from Transamerica Institute. For nurses, after years of caring for patients, building critical skills, and dedicating numerous hours to professional development, retirement can bring up a new question: What next?
In retirement, some nurses may seek roles that allow them to keep using their skills without the demands of working at the bedside. Fortunately, there are plenty of career options that offer flexibility, fulfilling work, and the chance to stay connected to the healthcare field. Here’s a look at some of the best jobs for retired nurses, from consulting to education and beyond.
1. Nurse consulting
Nurse consultants help recognize challenges and cultivate solutions, according to the National Nurses in Business Association. And this can be a great option for retired nurses who want to use their expertise to guide healthcare facilities and other organizations in making informed decisions. Nurses in this role share valuable insights into care quality, patient safety, healthcare policy, staff training, and other vital areas.
However, one of the more common positions for nurse consultants is legal nurse consulting. In this type of consulting, experienced nurses (who may be attorneys themselves) assist attorneys or those seeking legal guidance in understanding medical records, procedures, and terminology in legal cases. They may help evaluate medical malpractice or personal injury cases, or worker’s compensation claims, leveraging their expertise to aid in legal analysis.
According to Janice Dolnick, BSN, RN, a legal nurse consultant, in a NurseDot Podcast episode, being a legal nurse consultant is attainable for any nurse.
When you think of all the situations nurses encounter during their shifts, including interactions with patients, families, and physicians, these experiences equip nurses with the skills and expertise to excel as a legal nurse consultant, she said.
Consulting offers some flexibility, typically allowing retired nurses to work remotely or part time. The hourly pay rate for legal nurse consultants can vary, depending on expertise and case complexity.
“We need so many good nurses in this field because there are so many people that are underrepresented and specifically your nurse colleagues who are being accused of crimes in the hospitals that they did not commit,” Dolnick added.
2. Telehealth nursing
Telehealth has seen substantial growth in recent years and has created more remote opportunities for nurses who want to work from home. Telehealth nurses assist patients through virtual consultations, helping them manage chronic illnesses, interpret lab results, or address non-emergency health concerns.
Some telehealth positions are part time or offer flexible hours, making them ideal for retired nurses looking for work-life balance. Companies may provide training in telehealth technology and offer support for managing video or phone consultations.
Because telehealth nursing is often remote it eliminates the physical strain and helps retired nurses continue to make a direct impact on patient care. The salary for telehealth positions can vary based on work setting and location, but the median hourly pay rate for a telehealth nurse is $34.91, according to Payscale.
3. Health coaching
Health coaching enables nurses and other healthcare professionals to help individuals meet health and wellness goals. Health coaches work with clients one-on-one to create personalized wellness plans, offer guidance on nutrition and exercise, and help manage stress.
According to the American Holistic Nurses Association, health coaching involves “evidence-based conversations, clinical interventions, and strategies to safely and effectively engage clients who have chronic health conditions.” With their knowledge of patient care and an understanding of chronic health issues, nurses can bring a unique skill set to health coaching.
In another episode of NurseDot Podcast, host Cara Lunsford, RN, Vice President of Communities Engagement at Nurse.com, interviewed Georgina Villarreal, MSN, RN, founder of Healthcare Strong, a health coaching organization.
“[Nurses] need resources; they need support. And it's truly my mission to ‘collab over compete’ so that we can help more healthcare workers,” said Villarreal.
Health coaching roles are available through private practice, corporate wellness programs, and insurance companies. Some nurses even start their own businesses as health coaches, as Villarreal did, tailoring services to specific groups, such as older adults. The median hourly pay rate for a health coach is $23.43.
4. Nurse educator or trainer
Retired nurses can transition into educational roles within nursing programs, community health settings, or healthcare organizations. Nurse educators help train the next generation of nurses, guiding students through clinical practices, teaching nursing theory, and providing mentorship.
For those who prefer not to commit to a classroom setting, there are opportunities to lead seminars, webinars, or online training sessions. Additionally, many healthcare organizations seek experienced trainers to teach new staff on various aspects, including patient care, safety protocols, or new technology.
Teaching offers structured hours and the satisfaction of shaping future healthcare professionals. While the salary for nurse educators can vary, the annual median salary for nurse educators (across all license types) was $81,500, according to Nurse.com’s Nurse Salary and Work-Life Report.
5. Healthcare writing
Health writing can be a fulfilling job for retired nurses. This can allow them to educate the public or other professionals on medical topics or other critical areas that affect healthcare professionals, including burnout and moral injury.
Nurses can leverage their credibility and expertise in medical writing, whether it’s by creating articles, blog posts, webinars, or educational materials such as nursing textbooks.
“When any clinical professional speaks with any patient, they need to be aware of not only what they say but how they say it,” said Carole Jakucs, MSN, RN, PHN, CDCES, a healthcare writer and diabetes nurse educator. “The same goes for a healthcare writer. When writing on sensitive topics, one must always be truthful yet craft your words to soften the message. The goal is to relay facts yet do so in a humane and compassionate manner.”
Medical content continues to be in demand by websites, pharmaceutical companies, insurance firms, universities and colleges, and healthcare organizations. Retired nurses may choose to work independently as freelance writers, contributing articles on topics ranging from chronic disease management to wellness tips.
Elizabeth Stricker, BSN, RN, has been a healthcare writer for many years and has 14 years of nursing experience. “I have always been a writer. For years, I wrote fiction in my time off — both novels and short stories,” she said. “One day, I realized that I could write about health topics at a much better financial return for my time. Plus, getting to use my nursing and writing skills at the same time was a revelation. It brought together my two main talents.”
Healthcare writing may appeal to retiring nurses looking for flexible schedules and remote work. Healthcare writers can earn from $0.10 to $1 per word, depending on the platform and project; however, this can vary from organization to organization.
With a broad set of career options, retired nurses can find meaningful work that suits their skills, interests, and need for flexibility. Many of these roles allow them to set their own hours, work part time, or even transition into remote work, ensuring a balanced and fulfilling retirement.
