38 Unique Nursing Jobs You Wouldn't Expect

If you’re considering a career in nursing, then know that the opportunities are plentiful! A range of unique and inspiring branches of nursing have opened up in recent years, so there are many options available to suit various skills and interests. Whether you dream of working in a laboratory as a research nurse, teaching budding nurses as an instructor or administrator, or providing emotional support as a psychiatric nurse – the choice is yours! The field of nursing is constantly evolving and provides many unexpected opportunities for those wanting to make a difference.

Unusual Patient Care Nursing Jobs

The following are just some of the specialties you could pursue as a nurse. Not all of them are feasible for nurses fresh out of nursing school, but they’re still something to keep in mind. You’ll always have new and exciting nursing career paths to pursue down the road.

1.   Holistic Nurse

A holistic nurse strives to provide compassionate, caring, and comprehensive health care that looks beyond just treating the physical body and is attuned to whole-person phenomena such as mind, emotion, spirit, environment, and lifestyle. Holistic nurses are highly knowledgeable in pathophysiology and evidence-based practice; however, their focus tends to be on a more integrative style of treatment that blends traditional western forms of medicine with Eastern approaches such as yoga and meditation. Holistic nurses are also skilled in advocating for their patient’s well-being in both direct and indirect ways. They work by helping clients learn about ways to live healthier lifestyles, target underlying factors of illness, and encourage patients to use their own inner resources for self-care instead of relying solely on medical interventions.

2.   Parish Nurse

A parish nurse is a specialized kind of registered nurse. They provide health and spiritual care to individuals, families, and communities in churches or other faith-based settings. Parish nurses help care for members of their congregations, assist the clergy in providing resources and education, perform some physical exams such as blood pressure monitoring, and act as a liaison between the church and community health services. They often visit people who are sick at home or in the hospital, work with local schools to promote public health programs, and host informational meetings about healthcare topics like wellness screenings, good nutrition, exercise classes, and nutrition counseling.

3.   Home Visit Nurse

Home visit nurses are highly-trained and experienced professionals who provide health care services to patients within the comfort of their own homes, from providing assistance with medications and wound dressings to offering general advice regarding lifestyle and diet. Home visits allow for personalized care that can ultimately increase a person’s quality of life — they can do things like helping to develop a safety plan for older adults, ensuring appropriate follow-up on care instructions, arranging specialist appointments, and explaining any treatment recommendations from specialist practitioners.

4.   Home Infusion Nurse

Home infusion nurses are health care professionals who provide healing and life-sustaining treatments to patients in their own homes, including antibiotics, hormones, antineoplastic agents, immune globulin, and parenteral nutrition. They monitor the delivery of these medications, continuously review medical information and the status of the patient, and work with insurance providers to ensure payment for services. One of the most important roles of home infusion nurses is educating patients and families about how to administer treatments correctly at home. Home infusion nurses take on the responsibility of setting up a safe environment for administering treatments, assessing patient needs, and coordinating care with other members of the healthcare team.

5.   Amusement Park Nurse

An amusement park nurse is an essential role in ensuring the safety of all park-goers. They provide medical services and assistance to ensure that all visitors have a safe, enjoyable experience while visiting the park. Amusement park nurses are well-trained to administer medical attention quickly and thoroughly during times of need, including attending to minor scrapes from rollercoaster rides, inspecting rides for possible health and safety hazards, and providing basic health care instruction onsite.

6.   Flight Nurse

Flight nurses fill an important role in emergency services by providing comprehensive critical care to patients in-flight, ranging from administering life-saving medications and treatments to responding to unexpected crisis situations or assisting with urgent medical evacuations. Citizenship of flight nurses typically comes from the nation where they trained, however many countries have certified international flight nurse programs so that anyone qualified can work internationally. Certified flight nurses are in high demand due to their combination of specialized knowledge and expertise. In most regions, training and qualifications for becoming a flight nurse involve additional courses such as learning how to assess a patient’s condition using aviation methods, pre-flight briefings, communications skills, interpreting air charts and maps, and caring for specialty equipment.

7.   Cruise Ship Nurse

Working as a cruise ship nurse can be an incredible opportunity to combine the joy of travel with a healthcare career. Cruise ship nurses provide medical services for those aboard cruise ships, whether it be routine screening and diagnostics or responding to acute symptoms. Generally, these nurses need to have specialized knowledge in areas such as insurance coverage and jurisdictional law, along with several years’ experience in clinical practice. For many people, being on a cruise ship provides the flexibility to work while also traveling to exotic locations, making this an attractive career option.

8.   Hyperbaric Nurse

A hyperbaric nurse is a special type of registered nurse whose role is to provide specialized care to patients when they are undergoing hyperbaric oxygen treatments. This type of treatment involves exposing the patient’s body to high levels of oxygen in order to help mend tissue damage and slow down certain types of infections. A hyperbaric nurse’s responsibility is to monitor the patient throughout their treatment, ensuring that the oxygen level is kept stable and that there are no adverse reactions to the procedure.

9.   Forensic Nurse

Forensic nurses provide expertise in the collection and documentation of evidence pertaining to victims of violence, sexual assault, disasters, elder abuse, and more. Beyond evidence collection and assessment, they also educate healthcare providers on crime-related topics, support law enforcement with investigations, and interact with the criminal justice system. These professionals work in an incredibly important and unique capacity that enables them to help those who’ve experienced trauma not only physically but mentally as well.

10.   Nurse Coroner

A nurse coroner deals with death-related inquiries, such as examining bodies, gathering and providing evidence, preparing reports, and delivering conclusions to the relevant authorities. Nurse coroners typically work in a hospital setting or examination centers, and their duties may also involve notifying the next of kin and ensuring that proper medical protocols have been followed. They take on the vital role of conducting thorough investigations into each individual situation, and their findings can be used to assist in criminal prosecutions, provide families closure, and even prevent other untimely deaths from occurring.

11.   Military Nurse

A military nurse provides medical care to soldiers, veterans, and their families. Their roles can involve administrative tasks, providing direct patient care, or working in emergency situations. Military nurses must have the same qualifications as civilian nurses, including a degree from an accredited nursing program. They also must be licensed to practice nursing in the United States. They undergo rigorous training and learn special skills that help them respond quickly and confidently in life-threatening situations. Beyond having the right education and credentials, military nurses need strong emotional resilience to provide the best possible healthcare for those they serve. Through their dedication, military nurses make a real difference in the lives of those serving in our nation’s armed forces

12.   Oil Rig Nurse

Oil rig nurses provide essential health care to workers at offshore drilling facilities and surrounding communities. They are principally responsible for providing medical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to oil rig workers, often acting as the only direct care provider available in such remote locations. Additionally, they may administer first-aid treatments, perform minor surgeries and procedures, maintain patient records, diagnose illnesses and injuries, prescribe medications and tests as needed, oversee health education campaigns, and conduct general public health initiatives related to the environment surrounding the oil facility.

13.   In-home Senior Care

An in-home senior care nurse provides invaluable care to elderly individuals who may not be able to attend to their own medical needs. This type of nurse is dedicated to providing a high level of quality care that can include assistance with activities of daily living, keeping up with medications, and coordinating other in-home healthcare services. In-home senior care nurses also provide valuable advice and assistance for dealing with chronic health issues such as arthritis or dementia and helping seniors manage their physical and mental health so they can live independently for as long as possible.

14.   Hospice Nurse

A hospice nurse provides end-of-life care to terminally ill patients. Their primary effort is to provide comfort, compassion, and physical assistance to the patient in whatever way possible. Their main goal is to ensure patients have a peaceful and humane journey toward death with as little suffering as possible through pain management techniques such as compassionate counseling and pain-relieving medications. In addition to caring for the patient’s physical needs, hospice nurses often support family members by providing them with information and resources helpful in preparing for the loss of a loved one. Although it can be a difficult job due to its emotional toll on the nurse, those who work in this noble field often report that they find helping people live their final days with dignity and peace highly gratifying.

15.   Transgender Nurse

A nurse who works with transgender patients has a unique set of responsibilities that they need to meet. They must be able to maintain the confidentiality of their patient’s health information, demonstrate cultural sensitivity to the individual’s unique experiences, and ensure that each patient is getting the care and support they need. It’s also important to recognize that different members of the transgender community may have different healthcare needs, so it is integral for a nurse to be prepared to adjust services accordingly. Furthermore, having an adequate understanding of different terms associated with gender identity will help nurses more effectively communicate with their patients, as well as provide necessary guidance respectfully. By upholding these standards, a nurse ensures that transgender patients receive quality medical care and attention throughout their treatment process.

16.   Aesthetic RN

A nurse esthetician, also referred to as an aesthetic RN, is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in advanced skincare and cosmetic treatments. They are trained in principles of skin science, cosmetic product ingredients, and anatomy specific to certain procedures, such as laser therapies, chemical peels, and injectables. Nurse estheticians can provide personalized care to help clients achieve their desired aesthetic goals while using best practices to prevent infection and other potential risks associated with particular treatments. They are equipped with the expertise, experience, and skills necessary to provide safe yet effective treatments and therapies for a broad range of medical-grade skin care services.

17.   Piercing Nurse

A piercing nurse is a specially trained medical professional who specializes in body piercing. These nurses use their knowledge of anatomy, sterilization and disinfection protocols, and infection control to ensure the safety of their patients during the process. They understand how to reduce the risks of complications that might come with more traditional body art methods. Piercing nurses also provide aftercare instructions to prevent any infections or other issues from occurring after the piercing has taken place, ensuring clients enjoy the look of their piercing without any discomfort or health risks.

18.   Cannabis Nurse

A cannabis nurse specializes in the use of medical marijuana as an adjunct or replacement therapy. These nurses have extensive knowledge regarding all aspects of cannabis, including patient education, cultivating plants, and potential therapeutic benefits of the plant. They work in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help make informed decisions regarding cannabis therapy, ensuring that patients receive the best care possible based on evidence-based medicine and a thorough understanding of cannabis use. Cannabis nurses also serve as advisors to their patients, providing support, information, and assistance with selecting appropriate strains and dosages depending on their personal needs.

19.   Mobile Nursing

A mobile nurse goes directly to where healthcare services are needed. They provide quality care in the comfort and convenience of a home or another offsite location, such as a school or office. For instance, mobile nurses can be found doing wellness checkups at local retirement communities and offering onsite support for acute situations. In addition to providing basic preventative and therapeutic services, such as vaccinations and wound care, these nurses are able to help people manage more complex chronic conditions. Not only does their presence ensure quality healthcare for many individuals who cannot access traditional hospital settings, but it also provides an avenue for patient education and counseling.

20.   Psychiatric Nurse

Psychiatric nurses use a combination of medical and psychological interventions to treat and manage mental health issues in patients of all ages. Working closely with other healthcare professionals, they develop treatment plans designed to improve outcomes for their clients, which can include psychological therapies, medication management, and other interventions. They often help people make lifestyle changes that can improve the quality of their lives while minimizing the need for more intensive treatments.

21.   Wound Care Nurse

A wound care nurse is dedicated to helping people heal from wounds and injuries that require specialized treatment. It can be a challenging role with complex treatments, but the work of these healthcare professionals can make a real difference in the quality of life for those suffering from chronic or acute wounds. They are responsible for assessing the wound and developing a comprehensive treatment plan that may include wound monitoring, debridement, dressing changes, and other treatments depending on the type and severity of the wound.

22.   Infection Control Nurse

Infection control nurses work to reduce the risk of communicable diseases. They play a key role in maintaining public health by focusing on the prevention and control of infections in healthcare settings. An infection control nurse works closely with other teams to ensure infection control protocols and procedures are followed, regularly monitoring patient safety, and reviewing records for the successful implementation of infection control guidelines. They will also be involved in the education and training of staff, such as leading personal protective equipment programs and providing guidance on environmental cleaning.

23.   Nurse Midwife

Nurse midwives provide comprehensive care to women with an emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum care. Nurse midwives’ scope of practice includes gynecological exams, prenatal care, labor support, delivery of babies, and providing medication and contraception advice. They often share responsibility for the health of mothers and their babies with obstetricians and other nurses. Depending on the state or region, nurse midwives may act independently from other practicing physicians in hospitals or birth centers. Their special training enables them to recognize potential problems before they become severe and provide preventative measures to ensure the best outcomes for mother and baby alike.

24.   Research Nurse

A research nurse assists with studies, surveys, and other activities related to examining and understanding health conditions, treatments, and their effects on patients, helping plan, organize, manage and conduct the study or project. Research nurses often work on projects related to particular illnesses, such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases, but can be hired for any type of research that requires medical knowledge.

25.   Public Health Nurse

A public health nurse combines the expertise of clinical nursing with an emphasis on protection, promotion, care delivery, and prevention methods – all important aspects in helping vulnerable populations lead healthier lives. Public health nurses work with a wide range of individuals, such as pregnant women, teenagers, elderly people, and those with chronic conditions. They may provide basic healthcare services such as screenings, home visits, immunizations, or health counseling. By connecting patients with other resources within their community, they can help promote better mental and physical health.

26.   Camp Nurse

A camp nurse specializes in providing healthcare services in a camp setting, providing comprehensive medical care and supervision to campers and staff and ensuring everyone is safe during activities like swimming and playing games. Camp nurses are typically required to be licensed, certified, or registered nurses with additional training related to wilderness survival.

27.   Event Nurse

An event nurse typically provides short-term medical care at festivals, conventions, or other large gatherings. This can include anything from basic first aid and triaging minor injuries to providing more advanced care in an emergency. As well as attending to sick or injured people, event nurses are often responsible for the safeguarding of patrons who attend the event, ensuring everyone has access to necessary health services during their time at the gathering.

Nontraditional Nursing Jobs with Less Patient Care

Nursing is a diverse field with many distinct career paths, and not all of them require working directly with patients. These types of nursing jobs take advantage of specialized skills, allowing nursing professionals to work beyond the patient bedside. Those interested in pursuing nontraditional nursing jobs like the following should research local state requirements, continuing education, licensing, and certifications needed to break into the respective specialty market.

28.   Nurse Navigator

Nurse navigators provide assistance in navigating the healthcare system, connecting patients and families with resources, both inside and outside of the healthcare setting. They act as liaisons between providers in order to help simplify complex medical processes for patients, oftentimes providing emotional and social support in a safe environment. In addition, nurse navigators provide valuable education for both the patient and the families about their treatment plan, which helps ensure that all goals of care are understood and met with precision.

29.   Utilization Review Nurse

Utilization review nurses assist healthcare providers in evaluating the medically necessary appropriateness of patient care services, equipment, and related utilization tasks through an organized, systematic process. These nurses are responsible for reviewing patient charts on both an acute and long-term care basis, looking for potential areas of savings or cost containment strategies that could be implemented, and applying and implementing guidelines around third-party reimbursement standards and requirements to ensure accuracy in clinical decisions.

30.   Health Writer

Nurses can pursue employment as health writers, combining their knowledge and skills as nurses with their passion for writing to create informative resources about healthcare topics for both professionals and patients alike. They can write about specific diseases and treatments, look at overall trends in nursing and public health, or highlight exceptional care that healthcare professionals provide. By producing engaging content, nurse health writers help patients understand relevant healthcare topics, contributing to more informed decisions in patient care.

31.   Informatics Nurse

An informatics nurse, sometimes called a nurse informaticist, specializes in using computer technology to improve the quality of patient care and streamline healthcare functions. Working with data management systems, informatics nurses evaluate clinical data, help provide care plans tailored to each patient’s needs and assist in managing a facility’s electronic medical records. They can also develop workflows that automate routine processes and help create reports to conveniently review the information gathered from past patient visits and may be responsible for providing staff training on technology.

32.   Nursing Legal Consultant

Nursing legal consults are a vital resource to nurses and other healthcare professionals, providing consultation, advice, and researched materials relative to the specific laws associated with patient care, nursing practice, or ethical issues. This can include answering questions related to statutory laws concerning patient rights and responsibilities, licensing laws, accreditation standards, and the scope of practice applicable to nurses. In addition, a consultant may help interpret statutes, review medical records, and guide nurses when determining appropriate clinical decisions for patients.

33.   Nurse Entrepreneur

Nurse entrepreneurs are a new breed of healthcare professionals combining entrepreneurial skills with the technical and scientific knowledge of nursing. Nurse entrepreneurs leverage their clinical expertise, specialized training, and business acumen to start their own practices, consult on health initiatives, or launch innovative products that drive positive change in healthcare. Nurse entrepreneurship gives nurses more control of their professional lives and career paths, allowing them to blaze new career pathways while still pursuing their passion for patient care and helping those who need it most.

34.   Pharmaceutical Rep

A pharmaceutical representative works for a particular drug company to promote and educate about the products of that company, and nurses are uniquely qualified to act in this role. They work closely with healthcare providers, like doctors and pharmacists, to ensure they have information about the drugs and treatments available from their employer. Nurse pharmaceutical reps provide detailed information regarding how their medications can help patients manage diseases and improve outcomes.

35.   Medical Product Educator/Trainer

Medical product educators are responsible for educating medical personnel about the products and services available to them, ensuring that everyone knows their options and has the necessary knowledge to properly administer treatments and utilize their resources. A nurse would be able to bring their comprehensive knowledge of relevant products, services, and technologies to the role to provide personnel with tailored guidance.

36.   Nurse Recruiting/Staffing

Nurse recruiters identify, contact, and hire potential nurses for their healthcare organization. This includes locating qualified applicants for current openings and actively recruiting them through various strategies, such as direct contact outreach, advertising, and internet sources. To best match job seekers with jobs that meet their skillsets, experience levels, interests, and availability requirements, nurse recruiters must be knowledgeable about nursing positions available within the organization and have excellent communication skills to collaborate with both prospective employees and employers during hiring initiatives.

37.   Medical Script Consultant

A medical script consultant uses their expertise to help companies create engaging content for videos, infomercials, and other informational materials. They are experienced in understanding the target audience, researching keywords and phrases to get the desired message across, and making sure all information is presented accurately. By working with a medical script consultant, organizations can ensure that their material grabs attention while also providing correct, evidence-based information.

38.   Nurse Auditor

A nurse auditor specializes in analyzing medical records to help prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. They utilize skills in nursing, data analysis, coding, and reimbursement systems to review medical documentation to identify potential issues affecting billing accuracy. By proactively identifying these inaccuracies, a nurse auditor helps keep healthcare organizations compliant with federal and state laws and regulations. Nurse auditors are an important part of the quality assurance process within healthcare organizations, helping protect patient safety by ensuring that all care is effective, timely, and accurate.

Start Your Nursing Journey Today

As you can see, the potential branches a nursing career journey could take are many and varied. When you pursue a career as a nursing professional, you can be assured that wherever your individual passion and interests may wind up, there is a specialized nursing career to suit you. If you’re ready to start on the path to a nursing career, contact Bryant & Stratton College. We offer an array of nursing education programs, including a Practical Nursing Diploma, an Associate Degree in Nursing, and an RN to BSN program. Explore our program pages or get in touch to request more information.