What Are Soft Nursing Jobs & How to Get One

Nursing is exhausting. Long 12-hour shifts can cause physical and emotional burnout, prompting nurses to seek “soft nursing jobs,” AKA less physically demanding positions that offer a gentler approach to patient care and education. 

Learn all about the different kinds of soft nursing jobs, how to get one, whether the soft nursing life suits you, and much more.

What Are Soft Nursing Jobs?

Soft nursing jobs are positions that are physically and mentally less demanding. They often cause less stress and create a better work-life balance. They offer more flexible schedules or fewer physical demands. However, they may still have the same patient responsibilities.

Soft nursing jobs have existed forever but are increasing in popularity as TikTok creators highlight the importance of work-life balance. The movement emphasizes that finding the highest-paid nursing jobs shouldn't always be the top priority.

Benefits of Soft Nursing Jobs

There are countless benefits of a soft nursing job, including:

• Increased flexibility
• Weekends off
• Holidays off
• Predictability
• Dedicated lunch breaks
• Low-stress work environment
• Decreased burnout
• Better work-life balance

Types of Soft Nursing Jobs

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Administrative and Office-Based Nursing Roles

1. Case Management

Nurse case managers work with patients and providers to determine optimal care options for each patient. They also oversee the quality of care, spending most of their time emailing and coordinating on the phone. Nurse case managers have minimal interaction with patients.

2. Nursing Informatics

Nursing informaticists are responsible for healthcare systems communications and information technology development. They wear several hats, including software engineers, educators, and researchers.

Considered a soft nursing job, you will work directly with other nurses and healthcare providers versus patients. This career is highly coveted and competitive with the ongoing implementation of electronic medical records (EMRs).

3. Utilization Review

Utilization review nurses ensure patients receive necessary care without performing unnecessary or duplicate services. This job encompasses soft life as a nurse because it's an office-based role. UR nurses work most of their shifts directly with insurance companies and medical providers.

4. Insurance Company Nursing Roles

Insurance companies have several positions available to nurses, some more office-based than others. Some job responsibilities include educating patients and their families about treatment plans and available resources. You may also discuss treatment options, what the insurance company can or cannot cover, and review claims.

Education and Training Roles

1. Nurse Educator

Nurse educators are masters-prepared nurses who teach nursing students the fundamentals of nursing in a classroom setting. Your schedule as a nurse educator may vary depending on the program that employs you. You'll be responsible for preparing lesson plans and exams, holding office hours, and conducting research.

2. Clinical Instructor

Clinical instructors are also nurse educators but specifically teach students in a clinical setting. These nurses oversee a group of students and the patients they care for. Because clinical instruction requires long hours and increased responsibilities, it may not always feel like a soft nursing job.

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Public Health and Community Nursing

1. School Nurse

School nursing is often considered the best soft nursing job. The pay can fluctuate depending on location, but the hours make it an ideal job. 

School nurses follow a teacher's schedule and generally only work when students are in school. They never work on weekends or holidays and have summers off. This schedule is ideal for anyone but is especially beneficial for those with kids.

2. Occupational Health Nurse

 An occupational health nurse can work for a healthcare system and larger corporations. Occupation health nurses work to assess workers’ health status concerning their job tasks and hazards. 

3. Community Health Coordinator

Local and state governments usually employ community health nurses and coordinators. In this position, you will work with elected officials to assess community health needs and develop and implement plans.

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Telehealth and Remote Nursing

1. Telehealth Nurse

Telehealth nurses use telecommunication technology such as video, phone, email,  and messaging to care for patients virtually. This is a soft nursing job because of its flexible hours and remote working options.

2. Triage Nurse

Triage nurses usually work in emergency rooms, helping to determine the level of care a patient needs and its urgency. They also commonly work in doctor’s offices, performing virtual assessments before a patient's visit.

3. Nurse Advice Line

A nurse working for a nurse advice line may provide general healthcare guidance over the phone. Advice lines were extremely common during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses may work for a healthcare system or a county healthcare department. In this position, your primary responsibilities will include determining whether a patient should see a medical professional in person.

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Specialty Areas with Lighter Physical Demands

1. Dermatology Nursing

Dermatology nurses work with medical teams to assist in diagnosing and treating different skin injuries and conditions. They also educate patients and caregivers on skin condition care and treatment recovery after the patient returns home.

2. Ambulatory Care Nursing

Ambulatory care nurses work in outpatient settings. These are non-emergent patients who come in to see a specific specialist and leave the same day.

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Skills and Qualifications for Soft Nursing Jobs

The skills and qualifications you need to get one of these soft nursing jobs depend on the job itself. At baseline, all these jobs will require an active, unencumbered registered nursing (RN) license in the state of employment. 

Employers may also require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, depending on the job. Other jobs may have higher education standards. For example, clinical instructors and nurse educators often need a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), while a BSN suffices for dermatology nursing.

Some positions will also require additional certifications. For example, specialty certifications like the ANCC Nursing Case Management Board Certification would benefit case managers.

You must have a specific skill set to be the most effective in a soft nursing job. These skills include:

• Compassion
• Empathy
• Strong communication skills
• Adaptability
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Conflict resolution
• Problem-solving

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How to Transition Into a Soft Nursing Job

Becoming a nurse educator or school nurse may seem like a far cry from bedside nursing. However, several transferable skills exist between these positions. Finding open soft nursing jobs may be a more significant challenge.

Soft nursing jobs are highly desirable, and the hiring process is extremely competitive. Several nurses want these positions because they create a better work-life balance and alleviate burnout. However, these tips may help you get the competitive edge necessary to land a soft nursing job for yourself.

Seek Mentorship

With so much autonomy in soft nursing jobs, your technical nursing skills should be well-honed and top-notch. You might also consider seeking a mentor to optimize your effectiveness in a soft nursing job. One-on-one mentoring will help you succeed, especially if it is your first position away from the bedside. 

Find Open Positions

To find a soft nursing job, network, and use your current position to see if openings are available. There might be something in another division of your healthcare system, or you may want to switch employers altogether.

Highlight Your Skills

Your lateral skills are vital to getting one of these popular positions. Craft a nursing resume highlighting your experience directly related to your desired position. For example, experience as a nurse preceptor may help you become a clinical nursing instructor. You should emphasize that experience on your resume.

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Pros and Cons of Soft Nursing Jobs

Every nursing position has pros and cons. There are countless pros to soft nursing jobs, including better work-life balance, decreased stress, increased flexibility, and predictability in your schedule. However, there are some cons. 

Most soft nursing jobs pay salaries, and there could be limited opportunities for overtime and bonuses. These pay structures may reduce your earning potential in a soft nursing position. These jobs also have limited advancement opportunities, which can stunt your career growth.

If interacting with patients face-to-face during a shift is vital and fulfilling, some soft nursing jobs have limited patient interactions. For example, nurse informaticists may never interact with a patient, which might not align with their career goals.

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Is a Soft Nursing Job Right for Me?

Gaining employment in a soft nursing position can change your personal and professional life. Determining whether these jobs suit you is a unique process for everyone.

Changing jobs can sometimes be overwhelming and challenging, but that doesn’t mean it is a bad idea. First, determine your career goals and see if a soft nursing position aligns with them. 

Additionally, consider working soft nursing jobs you’re interested in on a per diem basis. This approach will help you discover how well the job suits your career without committing to it. You can also shadow someone in a soft nursing job to better understand what that position would be like.