Best Side Hustles for Nurses: Becoming a Sleep Consultant

For nurses looking to increase their income, reclaim their time, and create a more flexible lifestyle, finding the best side hustle can be a game-changer. With demanding schedules, long hours, and often unpredictable shifts, many nurses are seeking alternatives that allow them to leverage their healthcare skills while providing more autonomy and work-life balance. If you’ve been researching the best side hustles for nurses, you may have come across options like freelancing, telehealth, and more. But there’s one side hustle that stands out for nurses: becoming a sleep consultant.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how becoming a certified sleep consultant is not only an ideal side hustle for nurses but also an opportunity to earn a lucrative income while working from home. I’ll also share my personal journey of leaving traditional nursing to build a thriving sleep consulting business—one that paid me three times my nursing salary.

Why Nurses Are Looking for Side Hustles

Nursing is one of the most fulfilling careers, but it comes with its challenges. The long shifts, lack of flexibility, and missed time with family can take a toll. As a nurse, you’re constantly caring for others, but what happens when you feel burned out or stretched thin? More and more nurses are looking for side hustles to supplement their income and explore more fulfilling ways to use their skills.

Many nurses find that a side hustle can:

• Help alleviate financial stress by bringing in additional income
• Offer a way to explore other passions and interests
• Create an exit plan from the traditional healthcare system
• Provide a new work-life balance that nursing doesn’t always allow

If you’ve been thinking about starting a side hustle as a nurse, one option that’s gaining popularity is becoming a sleep consultant. 

 

What Is a Sleep Consultant?

A sleep consultant works with parents and families to help them create healthy sleep habits for their children. This includes newborns, infants, toddlers, and even older children. Families often seek sleep consultants when their children are struggling to sleep through the night or have difficulty establishing a good sleep routine. As a sleep consultant, your job is to assess their unique situation, provide expert guidance, and offer tailored sleep plans that help both the child and parents get the rest they need.

For nurses, sleep consulting is a natural fit. Nurses are trained to assess, problem-solve, and provide compassionate care—skills that directly translate into sleep consulting. Plus, you’ll be working one-on-one with families, which many nurses love, but in a more flexible, remote setting.

 

Why Becoming a Sleep Consultant Is the Perfect Side Hustle for Nurses

 

1. Getting the Certification is EASY

One of the biggest advantages of becoming a sleep consultant is how quickly you can get certified and start earning. Unlike other side hustles that require years of education or expensive licenses, sleep consulting certifications can be completed in just a few weeks. Reputable programs, like the Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting, offer flexible online courses that fit around your nursing shifts, making it easy to start without interrupting your current job.

The investment is also minimal compared to the return. You don’t need to rent office space, buy expensive equipment, or hire staff to start a sleep consulting business. This low barrier to entry makes it one of the most accessible side hustles for nurses.

2. Work from Home

One of the most appealing aspects of becoming a sleep consultant is the ability to work from home. After years of working long shifts in hospitals or clinics, I wanted a career where I could have more control over my time. As a sleep consultant, you can work entirely remotely, scheduling consultations via phone or video chat. This flexibility allows you to spend more time at home with your family, which is a huge benefit for many nurses looking to escape the rigid structure of the traditional healthcare environment.

3. Be Your Own Boss

Tired of having to answer to someone else? As a sleep consultant, you’ll have the freedom to be your own boss. You set your hours, choose the clients you want to work with, and decide how much you want to charge. Having that autonomy can be incredibly freeing, especially for nurses who have been used to following strict hospital protocols or schedules. And the best part? You can build your business at your own pace—whether you want to do this part-time or make it your full-time career.

4. Never Miss a Milestone

One of the things that pushed me to explore alternative career paths was the fact that I was missing key moments in my children’s lives. Whether it was a first word, a school event, or simply bedtime, nursing’s demanding hours made it difficult to be there for everything. As a sleep consultant working from home, you won’t miss any milestones. You’ll have the ability to organize your schedule around your family’s needs, ensuring that you can be present for every important moment.

5. Lucrative Income Potential

One of the most common questions I get is, “Can you really make good money as a sleep consultant?” The answer is a resounding yes! When I first transitioned into sleep consulting, I was astounded by how much more I was earning compared to my nursing career. In fact, I began earning three times my nursing salary as a full-time sleep consultant.

Many full-time sleep consultants report earning between $60,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on their level of involvement and client load. Even if you’re working with just a few clients a month on the side, the financial rewards can quickly surpass what nurses typically make from overtime shifts or side gigs in the healthcare field. For instance, working with 3-4 clients a month can already add a substantial income boost—something nurses could achieve without needing to clock in more hours at the hospital.

6. Leverage Your Healthcare Background

As a nurse, you’re already equipped with many of the skills that make an excellent sleep consultant. Your ability to assess health, understand child development, and offer compassionate, evidence-based advice gives you a significant edge. Parents often feel more comfortable hiring someone with a medical background to help with their children’s sleep issues. This can help you stand out in the market and attract clients more easily.

7. Huge Demand for Sleep Consultants

The demand for sleep consultants has been growing rapidly in recent years. Modern parenting challenges, combined with a greater awareness of the importance of sleep, have driven more families to seek professional help. Sleep problems are one of the most common issues parents face, and they’re willing to pay for expert advice and solutions. As a certified sleep consultant, you’ll be stepping into a growing industry where clients are actively looking for solutions, making it a secure and lucrative career choice.

8. Support After Certification

I often hear from nurses, “What if I don’t know how to run a business?” As a 3X CEO who has helped over 1,000 women launch successful careers, I know what it takes to thrive. And as a nurse myself, I understand where you’re coming from. I’m here to provide clear guidance, support, and mentorship every step of the way. Even after you graduate, you’ll have my expertise to help you launch your business and find clients. You won’t be doing this alone—I’ll be right beside you, making sure you have the knowledge and confidence to succeed.

9. Flexible Transition Plan

You don’t need to leave nursing immediately. One of the best things about sleep consulting is that you can start part-time, working just a few hours a week until you feel ready to make the full transition. This gradual approach lets you ease into it without the pressure of giving up your steady paycheck right away. I was actually so nervous to leave nursing that I continued for three years, even though I was making an incredible income from sleep consulting. Nursing had been my identity for over 15 years, so leaving was a bit scary. The great thing about sleep consulting is that you control your schedule and how many clients you take on, so you can do both if you want to. Although, I’m pretty confident that once you experience how rewarding sleep consulting is, you’ll leave bedside nursing for good!

 

🩺 HEAR FROM OTHER NURSES TURNED SLEEP CONSULTANTS HERE 🩺

 

The Amazing Benefits of Being a Sleep Consultant

Becoming a sleep consultant offers so many benefits that go beyond financial rewards. Here are a few of the amazing perks I’ve experienced since transitioning from nursing:

• Flexibility: I get to design my workday around my life, rather than the other way around. Whether I want to spend a day with my kids or take a break, I can plan my schedule accordingly.
• Meaningful Work: Just like nursing, sleep consulting is incredibly fulfilling. I’m still helping people, but in a new and impactful way. There’s nothing better than knowing I’ve helped an exhausted family get the sleep they so desperately need.
• Increased Income: As I mentioned earlier, the income potential in sleep consulting is significant. I was able to leave my nursing career because I earned three times as much in sleep consulting. And the best part? It didn’t require working extra shifts or giving up family time.
• Work-Life Balance: This career offers the perfect balance between professional fulfillment and personal freedom. I no longer feel like I’m missing out on my family’s important moments. Instead, I’m there for them—and I’m earning a great living while doing it.

 

Showing Love ❤️ for My Fellow Nurses:  A Special $300 Offer Just for You

As a fellow nurse, I understand how demanding our profession can be. That’s why I’m offering a  $300 discount to nurses who are ready to explore a new path with more flexibility and freedom. If you’ve been thinking about becoming a sleep consultant, this is your chance to start a journey that not only helps others but also gives you the balance and fulfillment you deserve. You’ll get $300 off our Sleep Consultant Certification Program with promo code NURSELOVE. It’s my way of supporting nurses like you in creating a career that works for your life. You’ve earned it!

 

Final Thoughts: Is Sleep Consulting the Best Side Hustle for Nurses?

If you’re looking for the best side hustle for nurses that offers flexibility, independence, and financial rewards, becoming a sleep consultant might just be the perfect fit. It’s a career that allows you to build on your existing skills while giving you the freedom to work from home, set your own schedule, and earn a lucrative income.

I know firsthand how life-changing this career can be. After leaving nursing, I now enjoy the best of both worlds: the ability to help families and the freedom to be there for my own. So if you’re ready to explore a side hustle that can truly transform your life, becoming a certified sleep consultant is worth serious consideration.

Not only will you enjoy a rewarding and flexible career, but you’ll also be able to set your own hours, work from anywhere, and never miss another important family moment. Plus, with the rising demand for sleep consultants, you’ll be stepping into a rapidly growing industry with virtually unlimited potential for both personal and professional growth.

Whether you’re seeking a way to supplement your current nursing income or looking for a path that can ultimately replace it, sleep consulting provides an exciting and fulfilling option.

Take the leap—your future as a sleep consultant is just one step away!