One of the benefits of working a twelve-hour schedule is that you have days off to devote to outside pursuits and side hustles for nurses. While some nurses take extra shifts or work other healthcare-related jobs on their days off, others look forward to pursuing other lucrative interests. Here’s why you should consider real estate as a nursing side gig. We’ll tell you why working as a real estate agent while being a nurse is a good idea. We’ll also share details of how to become a real estate agent in Florida and tips for balancing both roles.
Key Takeaways
- Real Estate Offers a Flexible Side Hustle for Nurses – Nurses can pursue real estate part-time, scheduling client appointments and showings around their shifts, especially on evenings and weekends.
- Strong Income Potential – Unlike many side gigs, real estate can be highly lucrative. Part-time agents in Florida earn an average of $45,000 annually, with commissions offering significant earning potential even for those selling homes occasionally.
- Nurses Have Transferable Skills for Real Estate – Communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, and time management are key nursing skills that directly translate to success as a real estate agent.
- Balancing Both Careers Is Achievable – Nurses can successfully manage both careers while building a strong client base by clearly communicating availability, joining a real estate team, and leveraging their healthcare network.
Why Real Estate Is a Great Side Gig for Nurses
Many nurses seeking extra income work additional shifts. However, since many healthcare workers suffer burnout, consider side hustle for nurses that don’t involve patient care. Here are a few reasons real estate is a great side gig for nurses.
1. Real estate allows for a flexible schedule.
Working as a real estate agent is similar to running your own business. As a business owner, you can work as few or as many hours as you wish. This flexibility makes real estate an excellent side hustle for workers in many industries.
As a nurse, you can schedule client appointments or showings on your days off. Are you only able to work weekends in real estate? That’s even better. Many real estate-related business is done during evenings and weekends – when others with 9-5 schedules are off work.
Doing real estate part-time is perfect for nurses who want to work a side hustle when time allows.
2. There’s great income potential as a part-time real estate agent.
Instead of working for peanuts in a non-healthcare-related side gig, consider working in real estate part-time. Real estate can be extremely lucrative. The average salary of a part-time real estate agent in Florida is $45,000, according to a 2024 survey of agents.
How do real estate agents make money?
Most real estate agents work entirely on commission, which is typically a percentage of the final sale price of the property. Both buyers’ agents and sellers’ agents earn close to 3%, which they share with their brokerages.
The average home value in Florida is $386,892. This means that a real estate professional, with a 50/50 split with their brokerage, can earn $5,803 per average transaction. Even if you only sell a house every two months, you can add $34,818 to your yearly household income. Not bad for a side hustle!
3. Nurses have transferrable skills that can be applied to the real estate industry.
You didn’t wake up one day knowing everything you need to know to work as a nurse. The same holds true for real estate. You’ll need to take a class to learn about contracts, Florida real estate laws, and how to help your clients.
However, as a nurse, you already have many skills you’ll need to do well in real estate. Here are just a few . . .
- Strong Communication: Nurses are skilled in explaining complex information clearly, making them excellent at guiding clients through complicated real estate transactions.
- Empathy and Client Care: Your ability to connect with people and understand their needs helps build trust with buyers and sellers.
- Problem-Solving: Nurses are used to thinking on their feet and making quick decisions, a valuable trait in competitive real estate markets.
- Attention to Detail: Managing medical records and patient care requires precision, which translates well to handling contracts, negotiations, and legal documents.
- Time Management: Juggling multiple patients and responsibilities prepares nurses to efficiently manage client appointments, property showings, and paperwork.
- Resilience and Adaptability: Working in high-pressure situations helps nurses stay calm and adaptable, which are key qualities for navigating market fluctuations and client expectations.
Real estate offers the flexibility nurses need in a side gig. And using the skills you already have, you can make a lot of money.
How to Get Started in Real Estate as a Nurse
You must have a license to work as a real estate agent in Florida. The process to get the license is straightforward and affordable. Here’s a quick summary of the steps.
- Complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course from a state-approved real estate school.
- Pass a background check.
- Complete the Florida real estate license application
- Pass the Florida real estate salesperson exam
- Sign on with a Florida brokerage
You don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent; the entire licensing process can be completed in two or three months.
Balancing Real Estate and Nursing
It’s entirely possible to balance a nursing career and a real estate business. People in many industries work part-time in real estate. Here are some tips for those using real estate as a nursing side gig.
Communicate openly with your brokerage and clients about your availability to set clear expectations.
Join a real estate team to ensure client needs are met even when you’re working as a nurse, allowing team members to assist in your absence.
Tell your healthcare friends about your new side gig. Chances are, they’ll want to support a fellow nurse and work with an agent who understands their schedule.
Have a healthy nest egg if you’re considering switching from nursing to real estate. It will take time to build your business and earn your first commission checks.
Ready to get started with your real estate side gig? You can begin within the hour by purchasing your real estate coursework from Gold Coast Schools. Gold Coast has been helping Floridians earn their real estate licenses since the 1970s. Our expertly designed courses will help you pass the Florida real estate salesperson exam, so you can start earning commissions in no time! Financing is available!