Nursing Jobs Outside of the Hospital
Written by:
Wilson College
• Sep 16, 2026
Hospitals may be the setting most commonly associated with nursing, but they’re just one of many settings where nurses can work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hospitals employed about 59% of registered nurses (RNs) in 2024. That means that roughly 4 out of 10 RNs worked elsewhere.
Nursing jobs outside of the hospital give RNs the opportunity to apply their expertise across healthcare and the broader community. Some provide direct care in patients’ homes or promote health in schools or workplaces. Others use their knowledge to support the nursing profession itself, whether by training its workforce or contributing to advances in care. These paths can appeal to nurses who want to explore how their skills translate beyond a traditional hospital setting.
A nursing education can prepare nurses for various roles in both clinical and nonclinical environments. Understanding where they can practice and what these roles entail can help nurses decide which direction they want their career to take.
Where Do Nurses Work?
Nurses represent the largest segment of the healthcare workforce. RNs, for example, held about 3.4 million jobs in 2024, according to the BLS, and their employers reflected the breadth of modern healthcare. BLS data show the largest employers of RNs:
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Hospitals: 59%
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Ambulatory healthcare services (such as physicians’ offices and home healthcare): 19%
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Nursing and residential care facilities: 6%
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Government (not including state and local education and government-run hospitals): 5%
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Educational services: 3%
Nurses can also work in an array of other settings, including pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories, law firms, and nonprofit organizations. Their responsibilities can differ greatly depending on where they work.
5 Nonhospital Nursing Jobs
Demand for nurses extends into many areas of practice. The BLS projects employment of RNs to grow 5% between 2024 and 2034, adding about 166,100 jobs. Demand is expected to increase across many healthcare settings as the nation’s older adult population continues to grow and more people need care for chronic conditions.
Below are nursing careers outside the hospital that illustrate how RNs can use their backgrounds to provide care and contribute to the profession in different ways.
1. Home Health Nurse
Home health nurses care for patients where they live. Nurses who provide care in patients’ homes have jobs very similar to those of in-hospital nurses, with responsibilities that include assessing patients’ conditions, monitoring vital signs, administering medication, and providing education about treatment and self-care. Home health nurses often work with older adults, but they may also support patients with chronic illnesses or those recovering from an injury.
Demand for home-based care is rising as the population ages and care shifts away from institutions. According to KFF, a nonprofit health policy research organization, more than 5 million people received home care through Medicaid in 2025. However, American Nurse Journal reported that only 11% of RNs worked in home health in 2024.
RNs in ambulatory healthcare services, a category that includes home healthcare, earned a median annual wage of $83,780 in 2024, according to the BLS.
2. Occupational Health Nurse
Occupational health nurses help employers maintain safe workplaces and support employee well-being. They may care for employees injured on the job and document workplace incidents. They may also conduct screenings and provide counseling and rehabilitation services to employees struggling with their mental or physical health.
In addition to earning a nursing degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), nurses looking to work in occupational health can pursue certification through the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses.
Occupational health nurses earned a median annual salary of around $87,900 as of May 2026, according to Payscale.
3. School Nurse
School nurses provide care in elementary and secondary schools as well as on college campuses. Along with responding when students become ill or injured, they offer preventive services and may recommend referrals for specialized medical care when necessary.
Many institutions require school nurses to have at least a BSN. Aspiring school nurses can also earn certification from the National Board for Certification of School Nurses and pursue additional training through the National Association of School Nurses.
RNs in educational services earned a median annual salary of $74,360 in 2024, according to the BLS.
4. Nurse Educator
Nurse educators prepare students to enter the profession. They develop curricula and provide instruction through lectures and laboratory activities. Nurse educators generally have clinical experience, which helps them connect nursing theory with the realities of patient care.
To qualify for teaching positions, nurses may need additional education beyond a BSN, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Additionally, the National League for Nursing offers certification for nurse educators.
Data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing show that the nurse faculty vacancy rate was 7.2% in 2025, indicating continued demand for nursing instructors. This dearth of nurse faculty can limit nursing schools’ ability to educate future nurses, contributing to broader workforce shortages.
Nurse educators earned a median annual salary of $89,700 as of July 2026, according to Payscale.
5. Nurse Researcher
Among nursing jobs outside the hospital, research roles allow RNs to contribute to advances in care. Nurse researchers study potential treatments as well as nursing practices. Depending on the project, they may screen participants, collect samples and vital signs, oversee trials, and train research staff.
Roles in nursing research may require advanced education, such as an MSN or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Professional certification is also available through clinical research organizations.
Nurse researchers earned a median annual salary of around $81,500 as of June 2026, according to Payscale.
What Types of Skills Do Nurses Need for Jobs Outside of the Hospital?
Nursing jobs outside hospital settings often require more than clinical expertise. Although responsibilities vary by role, nurses rely on many of the same interpersonal and organizational abilities.
Nurses seeking to pursue a career beyond hospital environments can benefit from building the following key skills:
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Communication: In nonhospital roles, nurses may interact with people who have varying degrees of medical knowledge. They need to listen carefully and explain information in clear terms. Accurate documentation also supports effective care coordination.
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Compassion: In patient-facing roles, nurses often support individuals and families coping with health challenges and uncertainty. Empathetic nurses offer reassurance and respond with patience and understanding.
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Organization: Nonhospital positions may require nurses to manage their own schedules and responsibilities. Strong organizational skills help them balance competing priorities and use their time effectively.
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Collaboration and leadership: Many roles require nurses to coordinate with other professionals or family caregivers. Leadership skills help them guide others and facilitate teamwork.
Prepare for New Opportunities in Nursing
By pursuing a nursing career outside of the hospital, RNs can apply their expertise in roles focused on direct patient care or advancing the profession. With the right education and skills, nurses can explore less traditional opportunities that align with their strengths and long-term goals.
If you’re looking to build on your experience as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), explore the LPN to BSN program at Wilson College Online. The program’s flexible online format allows you to earn your degree without putting your career on hold. Wilson also offers three online nursing programs for RNs who want to advance their careers:
Learn how Wilson can help you take the next step in nursing.
Recommended Readings
ADN vs. BSN: Which Degree Is Right for You?
How to Balance Nursing School and Work
Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Faculty Shortage Fact Sheet
American Nurse Journal, “Home Health Nursing”
Indeed, Learn About Being a Home Health Nurse
Indeed, “30 Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs (Plus Duties and Salaries)”
KFF, “Medicaid Home Care (HCBS) in 2025”
Payscale, Average Nurse Educator Salary
Payscale, Average Nurse Researcher Salary
