Spindle lets you pick up school-based shifts when you want them, skip the hospital chaos, and still do what you do best—care for others. It’s like gig work, but with heart (and without the late-night ER adrenaline).
Below, we’ve rounded up six flexible side hustles that let nurses earn extra income, flex their skills, and maybe even reclaim their weekends.
The Nursing Superpowers You Didn’t Know Were Transferable
Everyone knows it—nurses are kind of superheroes. You already come equipped with skills that make you a rockstar in almost any field:
- Clinical Smarts: You understand anatomy, pharmacology, and how to pronounce words most people can’t even spell.
- Communication Skills: You can explain complex topics clearly—and probably calm a panicked parent or two.
- Time Management: You juggle more patients (and paperwork) than most people juggle apps on their phone.
- Empathy & Emotional IQ: You read people better than any algorithm ever could.
- Crisis Response: You’re the calm in the chaos—because someone has to be.
Those skills aren’t just useful—they’re golden tickets to flexible, meaningful work beyond hospital walls.
How a Side Hustle Can (Actually) Boost Your Financial Future
Whether you’re saving for something big or just want to stop side-eyeing your student loans, a side hustle can make a serious impact. A 2023 LendingTree survey found that 44% of Americans have a side hustle, and many earn more than $1,000 a month.
Why it’s worth it:
- Extra Cash Flow: Pay bills, take a vacation, or finally buy the “good” coffee beans.
- Financial Security: A little backup income goes a long way—especially when life gets unpredictable.
- Career Exploration: Try new roles without committing full-time (no breakup speech needed).
- Lifestyle Flexibility: Work when it fits your life—not the other way around.
And with options like Spindle, you can stay connected to your purpose, keep your license active, and still make it to brunch on a Saturday.
1. Substitute School Nurse with Spindle
Substitute school nurses step in when full-time school nurses are absent or when districts need 1:1 care for medically fragile students. With Spindle, you can step into school settings on your schedule. You’ll provide real care to real students—without the stress of hospital shifts or midnight call-ins.
Why It Works: All the heart of nursing, none of the night shifts. Plus, every day you work, you’re literally changing a kid’s day for the better.
🔗 Join Spindle’s Substitute School Nurse Network
Estimated Pay: $35–$50/hour
Time Commitment: Per diem or short-term shifts during school hours
Best For: Nurses who want flexibility and meaning in equal measure
What You’ll Do:
- Care for students with chronic or acute conditions
- Administer meds and document health visits
- Support medically fragile students one-on-one
- Help staff with health guidance and emergencies
How to Get Started:
- Hold an active RN or LPN license (requirements vary by state)
- Quick Apply at gospindle.com
- Complete onboarding and join the reserve list
- Pick up shifts when you want through the Spindle app
2. Immunization or Flu Clinic Nurse
If you love community health and hate unpredictability, this is your shot (sorry, couldn’t resist).
Nurses are in high demand during flu season or for travel clinics, working in corporate offices, schools, and community centers to administer vaccines and educate patients. The work is seasonal but pays well and offers predictable hours.
Estimated Income: $25–$45/hour (seasonal)
Time Commitment: Part-time or weekend shifts during flu season or travel vaccination periods
What You'll Do:
- Administer vaccines in public or corporate settings
- Maintain immunization records
- Educate patients on side effects and post-care
How to Get Started:
- Partner with local clinics, public health departments, or staffing agencies
- Search for seasonal immunization nurse contracts through sites like Indeed or CareRev
3. Freelance Health Writer or Content Creator
Love explaining medical stuff to friends who “Googled it”? Channel that energy into writing. Health companies, blogs, and magazines need nurses who can translate jargon into plain English.
Estimated Income: $0.10–$1.00/word (roughly $30–$100/hour for experienced writers)
Time Commitment: Whenever inspiration (and caffeine) strikes
What You'll Do:
- Write articles or blogs for healthcare companies, magazines, or educational platforms
- Create content for social media, e-learning, or patient guides
How to Get Started:
- Create a small writing portfolio (LinkedIn posts count!)
- Pitch to publications or sign up on platforms like Upwork
- Consider taking a course in health communication or medical writing via platforms like Coursera or the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)
4. Medical Transcriptionist
Great for nurses who enjoy independent, focused work and love headphones. Nurses with an eye for detail and solid terminology knowledge can transcribe medical dictation into written documents from home (read: your couch).
Estimated Income: $15–$30/hour
Time Commitment: Remote, often flexible depending on project load
What You'll Do:
- Transcribe medical dictations into written reports
- Ensure accuracy and correct formatting of documents
How to Get Started:
- Take a short course in medical transcription
- Get certified through the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI)
- Apply for part-time remote gigs through platforms like TranscribeMe or FlexJobs
5. Telehealth Nurse (Per Diem)
Tech-savvy and tired of your scrubs collection? Join the remote revolution. Telehealth nursing lets you help patients from your couch—no badge swipes required.
Many healthcare providers are hiring part-time nurses for symptom triage, patient follow-up, or chronic care management.
Estimated Income: $30–$50/hour
Time Commitment: Remote and often flexible based on availability
What You'll Do:
- Conduct virtual triage and symptom assessments
- Provide follow-up care and patient education
- Document visits in EHR systems
How to Get Started:
- Experience in triage or primary care preferred
- Apply to per diem telehealth roles with companies like VocoVision, BlazerJobs, or Teladoc Health
6. CPR & First Aid Instructor
Want to teach life-saving skills and still be home for dinner? Train schools, gyms, and workplaces to respond in emergencies, and make a solid hourly rate doing it. It’s a flexible gig you can run on evenings or weekends.
Estimated Income: $25–$75/hour (more for private instruction)
Time Commitment: Schedule your own classes—perfect for evenings or weekends
What You'll Do:
- Teach CPR, AED, and first aid to businesses, parents, or other professionals
- Maintain teaching certifications and equipment
How to Get Started:
- Get certified as an instructor through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association
- Market yourself to local gyms, schools, or community groups
Ready to Reclaim Your Schedule?
If you’re craving balance, flexibility, and purpose (without the 3 a.m. charting), Spindle’s school nurse network is your next great side gig. You’ll work school-day hours, skip the overnight chaos, and make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
