When you hear the word “nurse,” it’s difficult to not think about the traditional professional, dressed in their scrubs, and running around the hospital to check on their patients. Frankly, thinking about a nurse in a place, other than a hospital or health center, is quite tricky as this is what both the media, and most of our personal experiences tell us. And, it is also what the vast majority of nurses’ realities look like. Despite the hardships of the task, most nurses remain stoic in their position and continue to render quality services through their lengthy careers.

But did you know that there are other alternatives to working at a hospital?

That’s right, health services are not limited to hospitals or health centers, as there are a wide variety of places that always require the services of a nurse, and opt to hire one as a permanent member of their team. In this sense, if you enjoy providing care to people, but are not happy working in a hospital environment, you won’t necessarily have to abandon your field. Instead, you could seek a nursing job in an environment more suited to your preferences, and apply for those.

In this article, we will list several nursing job alternatives that, according to NRSNG.com, are great alternatives to the traditional hospital roles.

Legal Nurse Consultant

Not everything about the nursing trade is related to saving lives (or providing care, for that matter). Some tasks revolve around the analysis of medical charts and information to support a case in a hearing, or to provide medical consulting services for legal firms in cases where there is information to be analyzed and interpreted. A typical legal nurse consultant makes around $54,381 to $210,678 every year.

Occupational Nurse

For those who enjoy providing aid, but don’t enjoy working in a hospital environment, a position as an occupational nurse might be precisely what you need. This job revolves around creating health and safety programs for the employees, as well as providing preventative healthcare to guard against certain diseases or outbreaks in the workplace. On average, a typical occupational nurse earns around $40,417 to $85,425 per year.

Nurse Writer

Just like the people who write these articles, you too can use your experience as a nurse to create informative articles and pieces. Maybe you could write a self-help book, or relate about your experience in the workplace as an RN. Certain websites also hire professional nurses and physicians as contributors to write articles on different health-related topics. These jobs are oriented more as a part-time task, rather than a full-time engagement. In this sense, the typical salary of a nurse writer will vary according to the type of content, the volume, and the frequency of your submissions.

Medical Sales Representative

Sometimes, all you need is right there in your head. Medical sales representatives are more akin to teachers and salespeople than nurses. This job revolves around training salespeople on the effects of certain drugs, or the applications of specific products so that they can accurately present them to potential buyers. In some cases, these representatives may also work with surgeons in the OR and train them on the use of new devices and technologies. The average medical sales representative earns around $43,508 to $181,901 per year.

School Nurse

Because not every accident requires a trip to the emergency room, school nurses work in educational institutions and provide first aid to students or teachers who have sustained injuries during class or recess. These nurses also remain prepared to address a wide variety of medical emergencies that can arise in the workplace, such as allergies and other conditions that could escalate to medical emergencies if left unchecked. According to the National Association of School Nurses, they define the trade as “a specialized nursing practice that advances the well being, academic success, lifelong achievement, and overall health of students.” A typical school nurse earns around $29,969 to $67,274 per year.

Cruise Ship Nurse

While working on a cruise may sound like all fun and games, it’s (mostly) just that! In all honesty, cruise ship nurses work alongside a team of peers and physicians to maintain the health of the crew and passengers while at sea. Specifically, nurses are called first to the scene to provide first aid to the patient until the doctor can arrive and assess their condition. Aside from the excitement or thrill of working on a cruise ship, these nurses are also well-compensated, and earn, on average, about $57,000 to $70,000 per year.

These are only a few alternatives for those nurses who might be on the hunt for a job in their area, but outside the hospital.The nursing field is enormous, and your services are required almost everywhere. If you know where to look, you’ll probably find a position in a place full of thrills and excitement, and that would allow you to realize your full potential as a nurse.