12 unique nursing jobs that are changing health care

In the fast-paced world of modern health care, nursing careers no longer follow a single, predictable track. Today’s health care challenges have given rise to a new generation of nursing roles that are as diverse as they are impactful, pushing the profession into uncharted territory. These positions allow nurses to apply their clinical expertise in novel ways, improving outcomes, leveraging cutting-edge technology and fundamentally reshaping the delivery of care.

Here are the 12 most unique nursing jobs that are transforming the field of healthcare.

What makes a nursing job unique today?

While nurses attending to their patients' bedsides will always be an essential part of health care, the profession now encompasses a whole new array of non-traditional and highly specialized careers.¹ Today, non-traditional nursing jobs are characterized by their focus on specialization, the diverse settings and the use of technology to deliver care in novel ways.

What truly makes a nursing role unique today is the individual’s ability to leverage clinical expertise to solve specific, complex problems, whether that’s in a courtroom, on board a flight, or from a home office. Nursing roles today are driven by broader trends like the explosion of telehealth, a focus on holistic care and the critical need for data-driven decision-making in medicine.

Unconventional nursing jobs in emerging fields

Some of the most exciting unconventional nursing jobs have emerged from health care’s newest challenges. Here are some of the top alternative nursing careers in emerging fields.

Nurse informaticist

A nurse informaticist acts as the crucial translator between clinical staff and technology developers. They analyze workflows and needs of nurses and doctors to help design, implement and optimize electronic health record (EHR) systems and other clinical software.²

The demand for these professions is soaring, as both hospitals and private practices rely on data to improve patient safety, streamline operations and enhance the quality of care.³

Forensic nurse

Forensic nurses provide compassionate care to patients who are victims of trauma, violence, or abuse, while also meticulously collecting evidence and documenting findings that can be used in legal proceedings.⁴ These nurses work in hospital emergency departments, community advocacy centers, correctional facilities and more.

The role demands a unique balance of empathy for the patient and an objective approach to evidence protection. This means that eligible nurses should have deep emotional intelligence, as well as certifications like the SANE-A (Adult/Adolescent) or SANE-P (Pediatric).⁵

Nurse health coach

Nurse health coaches work with individuals or groups to achieve specific health and lifestyle goals. They empower patients through education, motivation and support, focusing on areas like nutrition, stress management and chronic disease care. These nurses often work in corporate wellness programs, wellness clinics or with private clients.

Soft nursing jobs with big impact

The term “soft nursing jobs” doesn’t mean these roles are easy. It signifies positions that often involve less physical strain and hectic shift work, focusing instead on coordination, education and management.

Here are some of the top “soft” nurse jobs in the industry today.

Nurse educator

Nurse educators are responsible for shaping the next generation of healthcare. Working in universities, hospital training departments and colleges, nurse educators develop curriculum, teach courses and mentor students. This requires passion for teaching and a deep commitment to the future of the profession.

Nurse case manager

Nurse case managers are expert coordinators and patient advocates. They work with patients, families and insurance companies to develop, implement and monitor individualized care plans.⁶ This ensures seamless transitions between care settings like hospitals, rehab facilities and home care. By focusing on the big picture of a patient’s health journey, case managers can help secure better long-term outcomes.

Telehealth nurse

Telehealth nurses provide clinical assessment, triage, education and support to patients remotely, via phone or video conferencing. As the first point of contact for patients at home, they help evaluate symptoms, manage conditions and determine the appropriate level of care needed. This role is ideal for nurses seeking a lower-stress option in a home-based role.

Unique nursing jobs that require special expertise

Some of the most unusual nursing jobs demand highly specialized certifications to work in extreme or high-stakes environments. Here are the uncommon nursing jobs that require special expertise.

Flight nurse

When a patient is in need during air transport, a flight nurse is their lifeline. Working aboard medical helicopters or aircrafts, these highly trained professionals provide critical care to patients being transferred between facilities or rescued from accident scenes. To become eligible for this high-adrenaline job, you’ll need extensive experience in emergency or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) settings, certifications like CFRN (Certified Flight Registered Nurse) and the ability to make lifesaving decisions.⁷

Legal nurse consultant

Legal nurse consultants bridge the gap between medicine and law. They analyze medical records to provide expert opinions to law firms, insurance companies and government agencies on malpractice cases, personal injury cases and other medically-related legal matters. This role requires a solid clinical background, excellent written communication skills and a familiarity with legal procedures.

Certified wound care nurse

Certified wound care nurses are experts in the treatment and management of complex, non-healing wounds, burns and ostomies. Working in hospitals, wound care clinics and long-term care facilities, these nurses are critical for improving patient quality of life. These deeply specialized roles require advanced knowledge of wound etiology, infection prevention and the latest treatments and technologies.

What other jobs can nurses do besides nursing?

With a nursing background, your core skills are transferable to a vast array of fields. Beyond the standard work in hospitals, a nurse’s talent for critical thinking under pressure, managing complex systems, educating diverse audiences and demonstrating profound empathy is valued in many fields.

Nurses thrive in roles such as:

• Clinical research coordination
• Pharmaceutical or medical device sales and education
• Health content writing and medical editing
• Corporate wellness and safety management

This versatility means that a nursing degree is not a path to a single job, but a launchpad for a diverse and rewarding career path.

Turn your passion into impact with an online RN-BSN

No longer confined to traditional hospital floors, today’s nursing professionals are stepping into highly specialized roles at the forefront of the industry. But the journey to any of these unique nursing jobs begins with the right education.

For the working nurse, advancing your career shouldn’t mean putting your life on hold. Oklahoma City University Kramer School of Nursing’s online programs provide the flexibility to learn on your schedule and the credentials to open these new doors.

Ready to redefine your future? Learn more about our programs and reach out to an admissions outreach advisor today.