Healthcare is facing a long-term workforce challenge. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects that demand for Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses will grow faster than supply through 2038, resulting in a projected shortage of about 245,950 LPN FTEs by 2038. HRSA also projects continued RN shortages nationally.
For nurses, that demand can create opportunities to earn additional income without necessarily taking on another traditional full-time job.
If your goal is to make an extra $2,000 a month, you may not need a second career. Depending on your hourly rate, picking up several additional shifts each month could potentially help you move toward that goal. Per-diem nursing, PRN work, telehealth, tutoring, and other flexible options can give nurses different ways to build supplemental income.
In this guide, we’ll look at 15 high-paying side hustles for nurses in 2026, with a special focus on per-diem and healthcare gig work. We’ll also explain how MyShyft can help eligible healthcare professionals find flexible shifts.
What Makes a Good Side Hustle for Nurses?
The best nursing side hustle isn’t necessarily the one with the highest advertised rate. It should also fit your schedule, qualifications, career goals, and energy level.
Before choosing an opportunity, consider:
- Earning potential: How much can you reasonably earn per hour or project?
- Flexibility: Can you choose when you work?
- Licensing: Does the opportunity require an active nursing license or additional credentials?
- Startup costs: Do you need equipment, training, insurance, or a business license?
- Workload: Will the extra work add too much physical or emotional stress?
- Availability: Are opportunities actually available in your area?
For many nurses, per-diem work is particularly attractive because it uses skills and credentials they already have rather than requiring them to start an entirely new business.
15 Best Side Hustles for Nurses in 2026
1. Per-Diem Nursing Shifts
For nurses who want additional income while maintaining control over their schedules, per-diem nursing is one of the most practical options.
Per-diem nurses work individual shifts instead of following a fixed full-time schedule. Depending on qualifications and local opportunities, shifts may be available in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, rehabilitation, hospice, and other healthcare environments.
The biggest advantage is that you’re using your existing clinical skills.
With MyShyft, eligible healthcare professionals can create a profile, complete credentialing, browse available shifts, and choose opportunities that fit their schedules. MyShyft supports roles including RNs, LPNs/LVNs, CNAs, medication aides, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Per-diem work can be particularly useful if you want to:
- Supplement a full-time nursing job
- Work around school or family commitments
- Pick up occasional weekend shifts
- Increase your monthly income
- Gain experience in different facilities
2. PRN Nursing
PRN, short for pro re nata, generally means working as needed.
PRN nursing can look similar to per-diem work, although the exact employment arrangement depends on the employer. Some facilities may establish minimum shift requirements, while others may offer more flexibility.
PRN work can be a good option if you want occasional clinical shifts without committing to another traditional full-time schedule.
Always review the employer’s requirements for:
- Minimum shifts
- Scheduling
- Benefits
- Cancellation policies
- Pay structure
3. Healthcare Gig Work
Healthcare gig work allows qualified professionals to pick up individual shifts based on their availability rather than committing to a long-term schedule.
This model can be useful for nurses who want to earn additional income while maintaining another job or managing personal responsibilities.
MyShyft describes its platform as connecting healthcare professionals with facilities that need flexible shift coverage. Eligible professionals can browse shifts by factors such as date, shift type, location, and facility.
The exact number of available shifts depends on location, role, credentialing, and facility demand.
4. Home Health Nursing
Home health can provide another way for qualified nurses to earn additional income while providing one-on-one patient care.
Depending on the role, responsibilities may include:
- Patient assessments
- Medication-related care within scope
- Patient education
- Care coordination
- Documentation
- Communication with healthcare providers
Home health can appeal to nurses who prefer more independent work. However, requirements, schedules, travel, and compensation vary by employer and state.
5. Telehealth Nursing
Telehealth has created opportunities for some nurses to provide healthcare services remotely.
Potential responsibilities include:
- Patient education
- Telephone triage
- Follow-up communication
- Care coordination
- Health information support
Remote nursing can reduce commuting and may provide more scheduling flexibility. However, nurses should verify state licensure requirements and employer qualifications before accepting telehealth work.
6. Nursing Tutoring
Experienced nurses can turn their clinical knowledge into a tutoring side business.
You could tutor students in subjects such as:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Pharmacology
- Nursing fundamentals
- Pathophysiology
- Clinical preparation
- NCLEX preparation
This option can work especially well for nurses who enjoy teaching and explaining complicated concepts in simple language.
You can offer individual sessions, small-group tutoring, or online lessons.
7. NCLEX Exam Preparation
NCLEX preparation is another education-focused opportunity.
Experienced nurses may help students with:
- Study schedules
- Practice questions
- Test-taking strategies
- Content review
- Clinical reasoning
Because NCLEX preparation involves a high-stakes professional examination, tutors should stay within their expertise and avoid promising that students will pass.
8. Medical Writing
Nurses with strong writing skills can explore medical and healthcare content.
Potential projects include:
- Patient education articles
- Healthcare blogs
- Nursing education materials
- Medical website content
- Continuing education materials
- Health newsletters
Your clinical background can be valuable because healthcare organizations often need content that is both medically accurate and easy for patients to understand.
This option may take longer to build than simply picking up a clinical shift, but it can provide a way to earn income outside direct patient care.
9. Utilization Review
Utilization review nurses evaluate medical information to determine whether care meets specific clinical or organizational criteria.
Depending on the position, work may involve reviewing:
- Medical records
- Treatment plans
- Hospital stays
- Clinical documentation
- Healthcare services
Some utilization review positions are remote, making them potentially attractive to nurses looking to move away from bedside care.
Requirements vary, and employers may prefer nurses with clinical experience in specific specialties.
10. Case Management
Nurses with strong communication and organizational skills may consider case management.
Case managers can help coordinate care by:
- Communicating with patients and providers
- Monitoring care plans
- Connecting patients with resources
- Supporting transitions between healthcare settings
- Helping coordinate services
Case management can provide an alternative to traditional bedside nursing, although many positions require relevant experience.
11. Legal Nurse Consulting
Legal nurse consulting combines clinical knowledge with the legal field.
A legal nurse consultant may help attorneys understand:
- Medical records
- Clinical terminology
- Standards of care
- Patient histories
- Medical timelines
This can become a longer-term business opportunity, but it typically requires additional training, networking, and business development.
It’s better viewed as a potential career-building side business than a quick way to make extra money.
12. CPR, BLS, or Healthcare Skills Instruction
Qualified nurses may also teach CPR, BLS, first aid, or other healthcare-related courses when they meet the appropriate instructor requirements.
Teaching can allow nurses to use their clinical knowledge in a different environment.
Before offering training, verify the requirements of the relevant certification organization and make sure your instructor credentials are current.
13. Community Health and Immunization Events
Temporary healthcare events can provide occasional opportunities for qualified nurses.
Examples include:
- Community vaccination clinics
- Health screenings
- Occupational health events
- Public health programs
These opportunities may be seasonal or dependent on local demand, so they may work better as supplemental income rather than a consistent monthly income source.
14. Clinical Research
Clinical research offers another potential path for nurses interested in healthcare outside traditional patient care.
Depending on the position, nurses may work with:
- Research participants
- Clinical documentation
- Data collection
- Follow-up procedures
- Research coordination
Some opportunities require research experience or specialized training, so check the qualifications carefully before applying.
15. Nursing Content Creation
Nurses can also use their knowledge to create educational content online.
Potential formats include:
- Nursing videos
- Educational social media content
- Online courses
- Study guides
- Healthcare newsletters
- Nursing podcasts
Unlike per-diem work, content creation usually takes time to build an audience and should be considered a longer-term income strategy.
How Can a Nurse Make an Extra $2,000 a Month?
The answer depends heavily on your hourly rate and the number of shifts or hours you can realistically work.
For example:
| Additional Hourly Rate | Hours per Week | Approx. Monthly Gross |
| $30/hour | 10 hours | $1,200 |
| $35/hour | 12 hours | $1,680 |
| $40/hour | 12.5 hours | $2,000 |
| $45/hour | 12 hours | $2,160 |
| $50/hour | 10 hours | $2,000 |
These are mathematical examples, not guaranteed nursing pay rates. Actual earnings depend on your role, location, employer, shift availability, taxes, expenses, and other factors.
For example, at a hypothetical $40 hourly rate, working about 12.5 additional hours per week would produce approximately $2,000 in gross monthly income.
That could mean roughly one additional shift per week for some nurses, depending on shift length and pay rate.
Why Per-Diem Work May Be the Best Starting Point
If your main goal is extra nursing income without committing to another fixed schedule, per-diem work may be one of the simplest places to start.
You already have the clinical training. Instead of building a separate business or learning an entirely new profession, you can use your existing qualifications to pick up eligible healthcare shifts.
With MyShyft, healthcare professionals can browse available opportunities based on their role and location and filter shifts by dates, shift types, and facilities.
MyShyft’s healthcare professional platform is designed around flexibility: professionals choose shifts that fit their schedules, while facilities use the platform to connect with credentialed healthcare workers.
This can make per-diem work useful for nurses who want to:
- Supplement their primary income
- Work additional shifts only when available
- Build experience across facilities
- Work around family or school
- Have more control over their schedule
How MyShyft Helps Nurses Find Flexible Shifts
Getting started with MyShyft is designed to be straightforward.
1. Create Your Profile
Download the MyShyft app and create a healthcare professional account.
2. Complete Credentialing
Submit the required credentials based on your role, location, and care setting. MyShyft lists documents such as professional license information, government-issued identification, TB documentation, and professional references among its onboarding requirements.
3. Browse Available Shifts
Once activated, you can use the Find Shifts section to view opportunities and filter them by date, shift type, location, or facility.
4. Review and Apply
Review the shift details, enter your desired rate where applicable, and apply. Facilities review applicants and select the healthcare professional for applicable shifts. Some shifts may be set up for automatic confirmation.
5. Work the Shift
Only accept shifts that fit your availability and professional qualifications. Arriving on time, following facility policies, and providing reliable patient care can help you build a strong professional reputation.
How to Choose the Right Nursing Side Hustle
| Your Priority | Option to Consider |
| Maximum schedule flexibility | Per-diem/gig shifts |
| Occasional clinical work | PRN nursing |
| Work from home | Telehealth |
| Teaching | Nursing tutoring |
| Clinical knowledge + remote work | Utilization review |
| Writing | Medical writing |
| Legal/consulting career | Legal nurse consulting |
| Long-term content business | Nursing content creation |
There is no single best side hustle for every nurse. Your ideal option depends on your license, experience, schedule, financial goals, and preferred type of work.
What Should Nurses Consider Before Starting a Side Hustle?
Before taking on additional work, check your:
State License and Scope of Practice
Make sure the work falls within your legal scope of practice and current credentials.
Primary Employer’s Policies
Some employers have rules about outside employment, conflicts of interest, or working for other healthcare organizations.
Taxes and Expenses
Additional income may have tax implications, particularly when working as an independent contractor. Consider speaking with a qualified tax professional about your individual situation.
Fatigue and Workload
More shifts aren’t always better. Nurses should consider adequate rest between shifts and whether additional work could affect their well-being or ability to provide safe patient care.
Credentialing
Keep licenses, certifications, background checks, and other required documents current so you don’t lose eligibility for opportunities.
Final Takeaways
Nurses have more options than ever when it comes to earning additional income. From per-diem shifts and PRN nursing to telehealth, tutoring, medical writing, and consulting, the right side hustle depends on your professional goals and available time.
For nurses who want to stay in clinical care while gaining more control over their schedules, per-diem healthcare work can be a practical starting point. It allows you to build additional income around available shifts instead of automatically committing to another fixed schedule.
A goal of $2,000 or more in additional monthly gross income is possible for some nurses, but it isn’t guaranteed. Your actual earnings will depend on your hourly rate, the shifts available in your area, how often you work, and other individual factors.
If you’re ready to explore flexible healthcare shifts, MyShyft can help you find available opportunities based on your role, location, and schedule. Create your profile, complete credentialing, browse eligible shifts, and choose opportunities that fit your professional and personal priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Nurse Workforce Projections, 2023–2038. December 2025.
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). State of the U.S. Health Care Workforce, 2025.
- MyShyft. For Healthcare Professionals: Getting Started, Finding & Applying to Shifts.
- MyShyft. How MyShyft Works for Healthcare Professionals.
- MyShyft. Flexible Healthcare Jobs for Nurses.
Disclaimer: Side-hustle availability, compensation, licensing requirements, employment classification, and benefits vary by state, employer, role, and individual circumstances. Income examples in this article are illustrative and represent gross income before taxes or other expenses. Always verify current requirements with the applicable state board, employer, or credentialing organization.