Male nurse in black scrubs smiling in a bright office
Income Hub › CPR / First Aid Instructor
❤️ Ranked #23 — By Earning Potential

CPR / First Aid Instructor

Become an AHA or Red Cross certified instructor and teach CPR classes on weekends. Low startup cost, consistent demand, and pure side income that fits around any nursing schedule.

$30 – $75/hr
Earning Potential
Back to Income Hub

What Is It?

CPR instructors teach Basic Life Support, Heartsaver, and First Aid courses to businesses, schools, childcare centers, and individuals. Once certified, you can teach independently, partner with a training center, or build a small business running your own courses — all on a schedule that works around your primary nursing role.

How to Get Started

Step 1

Research the Role

Learn the specific requirements, certifications, and skills needed for this income stream in your state and specialty.

Step 2

Get Certified

Identify any certifications or training programs that will make you more competitive and command higher rates.

Step 3

Build Your Profile

Update your resume, LinkedIn, and professional profiles to reflect your interest and qualifications for this opportunity.

Step 4

Start Small

Begin with one or two clients or assignments to build confidence, refine your process, and establish your reputation.

Step 5

Scale Up

Once systems are in place and results proven, expand your client base, raise your rates, and grow your income.

Step 6

Get Support

Connect with other nurses doing this work. The RN Network community is full of nurses ready to share real-world experience.

What You Need

Pros & Cons

The Upside

The Considerations

Inside the Work

Instructors teach classroom and skills-check sessions for healthcare providers, daycare workers, coaches, fitness staff, construction crews and new parents. Classes are short and repeatable, so income grows with how many seats you fill. Group bookings at employers and schools are the most efficient, since one session can certify an entire team.

To teach an official course you align with a recognized training organization, follow its curriculum, use its exam and issue its cards. Many nurses start teaching for an existing training center, then add their own corporate clients. A set of manikins, AED trainers and simple booking software is the main startup investment.

Credentials That Open Doors

Your First 90 Days

Days 1–30

Choose your training organization, complete instructor coursework and be monitored teaching your first class.

Days 31–60

Teach for an established training center to learn logistics, pricing and class flow.

Days 61–90

Pitch onsite group classes to daycares, gyms, schools and small employers near you.

Training partners for CPR instructors

Education & CEUs

American Health Care Academy

American Health Care Academy delivers affordable, 100% online CPR, First Aid, and healthcare certification training trusted by millions of learners nationwide.

View This Product →
Education & CEUs

ACLS Certificate Institute

ACLS Certificate Institute makes life-support certification fast, flexible, and stress-free.

View This Product →

Related Income Streams

Resource from The RN Network

First Year & Fearless

Nursing school doesn't prepare you for everything — this guide does. Everything new nurses wish someone had told them before their first shift.

Get the Guide

Ready to Explore This Opportunity?

Start with a plan. Our Nurse Business Plan guides walk you through startup costs, pricing, licensing and landing your first clients, written for nurses building income outside the bedside.

See the Business Plan Guides →
Back to All 25 Income Streams