Top 5 Second Career Options for Retired Nurses Looking to Stay Active

Retirement means something different to everyone. For some, it’s the chance to relax, travel, or finally take up those hobbies that full-time nursing never allowed. But for others, retirement simply marks the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with purpose, flexibility, and fresh opportunities.

If you’re a retired nurse wondering what’s next, you’re not alone. According to the Transamerica Institute, nearly 1 in 4 retirees plan to keep working as long as they can. With decades of clinical experience, compassion, and deep medical insight under your belt, your knowledge remains incredibly valuable, on and off the hospital floor.

Thankfully, there are second career paths that let you continue making an impact without the physical strain of bedside care. Let’s explore five rewarding, flexible, and practical job options perfect for retired nurses.

Best Second Career Options for Retired Nurses

1. Nurse Consulting – Share Your Expertise, Shape Healthcare Decisions

If you're a seasoned nurse with years of real-world experience, nurse consulting could be your ideal second act. As a nurse consultant, you help hospitals, insurance companies, or legal teams interpret clinical data, improve systems, and make better decisions.

Legal nurse consulting is especially popular among retired RNs. In this role, you assist attorneys by reviewing medical records, analyzing treatment protocols, and providing expert opinions on cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury, or workplace claims.

“Nurses are essential in this field. We need strong, experienced voices supporting not only patients but fellow nurses facing legal battles they didn’t deserve,” shares Janice Dolnick, BSN, RN, in an episode of the NurseDot Podcast.

Why It’s Great for Retired Nurses:

• High hourly pay potential

• Remote and part-time work options

• Your clinical expertise becomes your biggest asset

2. Telehealth Nursing – Care from the Comfort of Home

Telehealth has revolutionized patient care, and it’s a golden opportunity for retired nurses seeking flexibility. As a telehealth nurse, you assess patients virtually, provide chronic illness management, interpret test results, and guide them through minor health concerns.

The beauty of telehealth? No commutes. No physical demands. Just you, your clinical skills, and a secure internet connection.

Platforms typically offer training in virtual care tools and HIPAA-compliant software, so you’re set up for success. According to Payscale, the average hourly wage for telehealth nurses sits around $34.91.

Why It’s Great for Retired Nurses:

• Remote work eliminates physical strain

• Flexible shifts and part-time roles

• Direct patient impact, minus the bedside fatigue

3. Health Coaching – Inspire Wellness and Prevent Illness

Retired nurses naturally excel as health coaches. Why? Because you’ve spent years helping patients live better, healthier lives, and coaching lets you do that in a more personal, preventive way.

Health coaches work one-on-one with clients to:

• Set realistic wellness goals

• Manage stress and chronic conditions

• Improve nutrition and physical activity habits

Whether you join a corporate wellness team, insurance company, or launch your own coaching practice, your clinical background adds instant credibility.

“Collaboration over competition is my motto,” says Georgina Villarreal, MSN, RN, founder of Healthcare Strong, in an interview on the NurseDot Podcast. “We need more nurse coaches offering support, not just to patients but to other healthcare professionals.”

Why It’s Great for Retired Nurses:

• Coaching can be in-person, virtual, or hybrid

• Ideal for holistic or wellness-minded professionals

• The average hourly rate? Around $23.43

4. Nurse Educator – Train the Next Generation of Nurses

If you’ve ever mentored a new nurse or precepted a student, you already know how rewarding it can be. Transitioning into a nurse educator role allows you to share your wisdom and shape future healthcare heroes.

Options include:

• Teaching at nursing schools or community colleges

• Hosting webinars or workshops

• Onboarding staff in hospital education departments

Prefer not to be in the classroom full-time? Many online RN-to-BSN programs or certification courses are always looking for part-time instructors or guest lecturers.

The median salary for nurse educators in the U.S. is approximately $81,500 per year, depending on location and license level.

Why It’s Great for Retired Nurses:

• Predictable schedules

• Meaningful work without physical demands

• Opportunities for both in-person and remote teaching

5. Healthcare Writing – Inform, Educate, and Advocate Through Words

Love educating others but prefer the written word? Then healthcare writing could be your perfect post-retirement path. You can write for:

• Medical blogs and websites

• Nursing publications

• Patient education portals

• Pharmaceutical companies

• Textbooks and CE modules

Whether you freelance or work for an agency, the ability to explain complex topics with clarity and empathy is a massive advantage.

“Writing about health combines my two greatest passions,” says Elizabeth Stricker, BSN, RN, a full-time healthcare writer. “After years at the bedside, it felt natural to continue supporting patients and professionals, just through content instead of care.”

Writers can earn anywhere from $0.10 to $1 per word, depending on the outlet and scope of work.

Why It’s Great for Retired Nurses:

• 100% remote

• Flexible hours and project-based pay

• Chance to influence healthcare narratives nationwide

Why Second Careers Matter for Retired Nurses

Retirement doesn’t have to mean the end of your impact. From consulting to coaching, second careers help retired nurses:

• Stay mentally and socially engaged

• Maintain financial stability

• Keep contributing to a field they love

• Create a work-life balance that suits their new chapter

Whether you work a few hours a week or launch a full-fledged new career, the healthcare world still needs your voice, your care, and your experience.

Final Thoughts: A New Chapter, A New Calling

If you're considering a second career, know this: you’re not starting over, you’re building forward. Your nursing background has already laid the foundation for success in countless fields.

So, whether you're guiding patients through wellness plans, educating future nurses, or writing to empower others, your journey as a nurse doesn't end at retirement; it evolves.