11 Best Side Hustles for Nurses in The UK 2024

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There is no denying that nurses in the UK are underpaid. As a result, many nurses are looking for extra ways to make money in 2024 outside of their full-time jobs. In this article, we take a look at the best side hustles for nurses in the UK 2024 to make money and beat the cost-of-living crisis.

Whether you’re looking to replace your full-time income or earn enough money to cover after-work drinks, we have created a list of the best side hustle ideas that are easy to start in 2024.

Side Hustle Ideas for Nurses in the UK

1. Online medical tutoring: High-paying side hustle idea for nurses in 2024. Earn up to £50 per hour teaching medical students over zoom.

2. Sell health-related digital products on Etsy: Best passive income side hustle for nurses in the UK. Sell meal plans, health trackers, or even shift planners for other nurses.

3. Freelance medical writer: Flexible side hustle that pays well. Earn money by writing about medical topics for blogs, social media platforms, and journals.

4. Health coaching: A side hustle idea that could turn into a small business. Make money helping others to improve their lives by offering 1-to-1 coaching in person or over zoom.

5. Become a birth Doula: The best side hustle for nurses who have experience with childbirth. Make a second stream of income by helping mothers through their labor.

6. Rent out your car: This is an excellent income idea for nurses who can walk to work. Make up to £600 per month by renting out your car.

7. Airbnb: Turn your spare room into monthly income and make money passively in the UK.

8. Babysitting: Easy side hustle idea for nurses who are good with kids. Make money during the evenings and at weekends.

9. Sell health-related books on Amazon KDP: Unique passive income idea for nurses in the UK. Self-publish a book and make passive income for years to come.

10. Re-selling clothes on Depop: Best side hustle idea for nurses who love fashion.

11. Create a faceless YouTube channel in the healthcare niche: Fun and creative side hustle idea that could pay very well in 2024.

What Makes a Good Side Hustle for Nurses?

So, how did we narrow down the different side hustles that we researched into our final list? To find the best side hustles for nurses, we used criteria that was developed by researching why nurses might want to start a side hustle and the challenges that some nurses face when trying to make extra money in 2024.

After taking this into consideration, we looked for side jobs that fit the following criteria:

• Flexibility: The best ways to make extra money as a nurse are flexible and fit around a nurse’s varying schedule. Most nurses work shift patterns which means that your daily routine will change from week to week. It is important that your side hustle can be adapted to fit around your changing schedule.

• Low start up costs: The most common reason that nurses want to start a side hustle is to increase their income. Therefore, it is likely that you don’t have a huge budget to spend o startup costs. We looked for side hustles that are free or low-cost.

• Health-care related: Another reason why nurses may want to consider a side hustle is to gain additional experience in the health-care sector. It can be helpful to choose a side gig that allows you to expand your knowledge whilst earning extra money.

How To Make Extra Money As a Nurse in the UK

Nursing is a very busy job which means that the best side jobs for nurses are ones that take little time but pay very well. We have found 10 great side hustle ideas to consider that cost little to nothing to start and can be done during your lunch break!

1. Online medical tutoring - Overall best side job for nurses

Medical tutors are in high demand from students across the country that are looking to improve their grades. This is a great opportunity for nurses and other medical professionals who could make extra money through online medical tutoring.

This side hustle involves teaching medical students and helping them with their assignments. The easiest way to start is to join a tutoring platform such as Tutorful, create a profile and work with students who need extra help. You could also start online tutoring by advertising your services on social media or reaching out to local education facilities that may know of students who need help.

Online tutors in the UK can earn between £25 and £75 per hour depending on the subject that they teach and the tutoring platform that they use. All you need to start is a laptop with a webcam and a strong WiFi connection. It also helps to have access to educational tools and resources that you could use in your lessons.

Read: How to become an online tutor in the UK

2 Sell health-related digital products on Etsy - Passive income side hustle for nurses

Etsy is an online eCommerce platform that allows small business owners to sell handmade, digital, and vintage products online. Over time, Etsy stores can easily become passive which this an ideal side hustle for busy nurses.

You could create Etsy digital products with free tools such as Canva and then make money every time someone buys from your store. Popular digital products to sell on Etsy include planners, templates, photo presets, and printable wall art. Once you have created a handful of products to sell, upload them to Etsy with great product descriptions and let the passive income roll in.

Of course, you won’t make money overnight. To be a successful Etsy seller, you need to create high-quality products that are in demand. A good idea is to search for trending products on social media to find digital Etsy products that sell quickly.

Read: How to set up an Etsy shop

3. Freelance medical writer - High paying, flexible side job for nurses in the UK

Freelancing medical writing is one of the best side hustles for nurses if you are looking for a job that pays well. Medical writing is tough so companies are willing to pay good money for writers who know their facts. Some medical writers can earn up to £150 per hour depending on the type of writing that they do.

The best places to find freelance medical writing jobs are Fiverr and Upwork. To become a medical writer, the first step is to create a portfolio of work. You can do this during your lunch break or in the morning before work. Then, apply to open jobs with a cover letter.

Read our Fiverr review.

There are different types of medical writing available to freelancers. The easiest jobs are blog writing jobs in which you will be writing content that is aimed at everyday people who want to learn about health. High-paying jobs include academic medical writing and medical report writing. These jobs often pay well but are more time-consuming to complete.

4. Health coaching - The best side business for nurses

Nurses have a lot of experience in the health and wellness space which makes health coaching a great side job idea. Health coaching involves working 1-2-1 with private clients who want to improve their physical and mental health. Typical duties of a health coach involve consulting, developing a plan/strategy, and taking clients through various exercises that could improve their overall health.

You do not need any specific license to become a health coach in the UK. However, it helps to have medical qualifications and experience. It is also a good idea to brush up on your knowledge about fitness and nutrition by taking an online course. You could start your health coaching business independently by creating your own website or applying for freelance job vacancies.

The number of hours that you will need to work will depend on the number of clients that you pick up. Health coaches in the UK can earn up to £50 per hour depending on the type of work that they do.

5. Become a Birth Doula - A rewarding side hustle for nurses who have experience with childbirth

A birth doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to expectant mothers before, during, and after childbirth. They offer non-medical assistance, focusing on comfort measures, communication with medical staff, and advocating for the mother's birth preferences.

Nurses possess a unique skill set that aligns well with the role of a birth doula. Their medical knowledge, experience in patient care, and comfort working in high-pressure environments are invaluable assets when supporting pregnant individuals through the childbirth process. Additionally, nurses are accustomed to working irregular hours, making it easier to accommodate the unpredictable nature of birth schedules.

Nurses interested in becoming birth doulas can start by enrolling in a doula training program. Several organizations offer certification courses that cover topics such as childbirth education, comfort measures, and the role of a doula.

To build credibility and experience, nurses can volunteer to assist experienced doulas, offer their services to friends and family, or provide doula support at local birth centers.

After this, you can find clients by creating a personal website and asking your network to recommend you to expect mothers. Connecting with midwives, obstetricians, and other birth professionals can help you to establish a referral network and expand your client base.

Most Doulas work part-time with flexible hours. This means that you can easily fit your work as a Doula around your nursing shifts.

By embarking on a journey as a birth doula, nurses can diversify their income streams, make a meaningful impact on families during a significant life event, and further enrich their healthcare career.

6. Rent out your car - Best side hustle for nurses who walk or take public transport to work

If you have a car that doesn’t get used every day, you can easily make extra money by renting it out. You can make up to £600 per month by renting your car in the UK. This side hustle works well for people who live near airports or in busy cities that have a big tourist population.

You can make money renting out your car by signing up for car rental platforms such as Karshare. The amount of money that you could earn will depend on the make, model, and age of your vehicle as well as how long it can be rented for. Luxury cars make the most money but there is high demand for lower-priced cars that can be used to get from A to B.

Most car rental platforms allow you to specify the availability of your vehicle. This means that you can pick which days your car can be rented to work around your personal schedule.

7. Airbnb - One of the best passive income ideas for nurses

If you have an extra room (or even an entire property) to spare, you could make a good side income through Airbnb. Airbnb is an online platform that allows people to rent their spaces to guests that are looking to stay in the area. The process of starting an Airbnb side hustle is very easy. Simply create an account, upload images of your space, and set your rates. Then, wait for guests to book your home and earn money every time that someone stays.

Airbnb is a good side hustle idea for nurses because it requires minimal work. The main tasks that you will have to do include updating your property listing, cleaning the property between guests and communicating with guests through the Airbnb app.

It is also possible to start an Airbnb business without owning property. The best ways to do this are Airbnb Arbitrage or becoming an Airbnb property manager. Airbnb arbitrage is an excellent passive side hustle idea that could easily become a side business for nurses.

8. Babysitting - Easiest side job for nurses with childcare experience

Another great way to make extra money as a nurse in the UK is babysitting. Many online babysitting platforms ask for individuals with caregiving experience, first aid knowledge, and a clean DBS. Nurses are likely to tick all these boxes which makes babysitting an easy side hustle to start.

Babysitters in the UK earn around £20 per hour and it is possible to pick and choose the hours that you work. You can start babysitting by joining online platforms such as Childcare.co.uk and creating a profile. Babysitting involves looking after children when their parents are busy. This could mean doing school runs, cooking evening meals or simply watching over the children during the evenings.

9. Sell health-related eBooks on Amazon - Earn passive income whilst making a name for yourself in the indsutry

Amazon KDP is a self-publishing platform that makes it possible for anyone to make money selling eBooks on Amazon. As a nurse, you could write your own book about health or medicine and publish it for readers to purchase online. This is an excellent way to make passive income as a nurse if you have good writing skills.

Health is a huge topic of interest and people are always interested in books that reveal tips and tricks for living a healthier lifestyle.

You can also make money selling eBooks on Amazon without writing by outsourcing the writing process of ghostwriters or selling wordless books such as journals or planners. Once you have uploaded the books onto the Kindle store, it is possible to start making money passively.

Kindle takes a small percentage of revenue as a fee for using the service. Other than that, this is a very low-cost side hustle to start in the UK.

10. Re-selling on Depop - A low-effort, low-stress side business for fashionable nurses

If you have an eye for fashion, you could make extra money by re-selling thrifted clothing on Depop. Depop is an online e-commerce platform that allows anyone to sell used, thrifted or handmade clothing. The platform has become very popular amongst people who want to be more environmentally conscious with their fashion choices.

To make money by selling clothes on Depop, take regular trips to your local charity shops, kilo sales, or car boot sales and try to find designer or vintage clothing that could sell for more than the asking price. Then, take good pictures of the pieces that you find and upload them to Depop with optimized descriptions. You can also sell items from your own wardrobe to get started.

The key to making a lot of sales is to provide a good experience to your customers. Customers leave reviews after buying from sellers on Depop so accounts with positive reviews typically have more chances of success. Remember to communicate with customers, upload clear photos, and ship items as soon as they are sold.

11. Start a YouTube Channel About Nursing - A great way to make money from social media as a nurse in the UK

Starting a YouTube channel is one of the best remote side hustles in 2024. The biggest YouTubers make millions each year through ad revenue, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content. As a nurse, you could create a great YouTube channel about the realities of nursing or a channel that shares tips and tricks for other aspiring nurses. These types of channels are very popular amongst students and training professionals who seek insight into what the role of a nurse is really like.

Another idea is to create educational content about health that could help people to improve their lives. Of course, you could also create a channel about other topics that you are interested in. Fashion content, gaming videos, and tutorials do very well on the platform. If you are a bit camera shy, you could create a faceless YouTube channel and make money on YouTube without showing your face.

Top Tips for Having a Side Hustle as a Nurse

Nursing is a difficult career which means that starting a side hustle is easier said than done. Nevertheless, it is possible to make extra money as a nurse in the UK with a side job. Here are some tips of juggling a side hustle with your full-time nursing job.

1. Wake up 1 hour earlier. You can accomplish a lot in one hour, especially when it comes to side hustles. If you’re struggling to fit a side hustle around your nursing job, a good idea is to set your alarm one hour earlier every day. Dedicate the entire hour to your side job with no distractions.

2. Find something you love. Working is a lot easier when you actually enjoy it. Therefore, a good side hustle tip for nurses is to find something that you enjoy doing and monetize it. For example, you could create a YouTube channel about a topic that you’re passionate about or write an eBook about a subject that really fascinates you. It will be a lot easier to stay persistent if you enjoy your side hustle.

3. Use your lunch break. Another way to fit your side hustle around your nursing job is to make the most of your lunch breaks. A lot of side hustles can be done online from your staffroom. Of course, it’s also important to rest during your busy day. However, you could spend 20 minutes on your side job to optimize your time.

4. Choose passive side hustles. A passive income side hustle is a type of side hustle that requires minimal effort over time. These side hustles often take a lot of time to make any money but once they do, it is possible to make money while you sleep! The best example of a passive side hustle is selling digital products on Etsy.

5. Work on the train. If you commute to work via train or bus, you can bring your laptop and work on your side hustle while you travel. This is a great way to make the most of your time and start a side hustle whilst working as a nurse.

6. Use a planner. If you don’t own one already, starting a side hustle as a nurse may be the best time to invest in a good planner. It is surprising how much free time you can find by simply planning your day. You can find excellent planners on Amazon that can help you to time block your day and free up time to work on your side job.

7. Celebrate small wins. Nursing is difficult and starting a side hustle alongside such a busy career is no easy feat! To keep yourself optimistic and motivated, it is important to recognize your success and celebrate the small wins. This could mean treating yourself with a pamper evening, celebrating with friends or treating buying yourself something new to mark your achievments.

What can nurses do to make more money?

There are multiple ways that nurses can make extra money in the UK. In this article, we have taken a look at the 10 best side hustles for nurses that you could start today. The key to success with any side hustle is to stay persistent. It can take time for side hustles to be profitable and this can sometimes be frustrating. Remember what you’re working towards and try to stay optimistic through your side hustle journey.

If you don’t want to wait to make money as a nurse in the UK, the best side hustles are renting your car, selling clothes on Depop, or babysitting. These side hustle ideas are fairly instant and great ways to make money quickly in the UK.