If you’re a nursing student looking for insights into the best jobs for nursing students, you’ve come to the right place.
Balancing the demands of nursing school while also trying to gain practical experience and earn some income can be challenging. But fear not because there are a variety of jobs out there that are well-suited for nursing students like you.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best job options that can complement your nursing education and provide you with valuable hands-on experience.
From working as a nursing assistant or caregiver to becoming a medical scribe, these roles can help you develop your skills and contribute to your financial stability while in school. We’ll discuss benefits, the required skills, and how they can fit into your busy nursing school schedule.
So, whether you’re looking for part-time work during the semester or a full-time job during breaks, this guide will help you navigate the job market and find the best opportunities that align with your nursing studies. Get ready to take your first steps towards a successful nursing career while earning an income.
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Importance of Working as a Nursing Student
By working in a field related to nursing, you’ll have the opportunity to apply the knowledge you’re gaining in the classroom, gain practical skills, and make connections within the healthcare industry.
These jobs can give you a deeper understanding of patient care, enhance your critical thinking abilities, and give you a glimpse into the various career paths available in nursing.
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Is it Possible to Work and Go To Nursing School?
Lots of prospective students ask this question. Many worry about their ability to manage the pressure of a job and nursing school. Some nursing work because they have debt, dependents, and mortgages, making quitting their jobs impossible.
Because nursing school will take up a lot of your time, we believe it should only be part-time if someone works throughout nursing school. Suppose you have to work full-time and are considering attending nursing school.
We advise that you start saving money before you enroll in nursing school so that you may work fewer hours or only part-time while you finish your studies.
We have, however, observed several individuals succeed while working full-time while in nursing school. However, they appeared to be exceedingly exhausted and under constant stress. But it is possible, albeit challenging. Be ready to give up time for your family and friends if you want to work full-time.
Working while attending nursing school is certainly doable, but it also depends on how much you work and how you handle stress.
Getting a Nursing Job
There are several jobs available for nursing students. Your chances of finding employment after college can only improve by acquiring industry experience and networking with experts in the field before graduation.
Your CV will benefit from the experience student nursing jobs give you, and you’ll feel more confident working in a medical environment.
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Benefits of Jobs for Nursing Students
Here we go with the benefits of part-time jobs for pre-nursing students;
Additional Earnings
You can supplement your income while pursuing your degree by working part-time. Additional cash can help you focus on your studies because it allows you to afford transportation, food, and housing.
Working part-time work can also assist you in avoiding taking out as many loans because it will cover some of your expenses.
Improve Your Skills
Working a part-time job as a pre-nursing student will help you develop the skills necessary for a professional career as a nurse. Depending on the profession, you can learn how to deal with technology, connect with patients, and record patient information.
You can also learn skills useful in any job, such as organization, time management, and teamwork. Your part-time employment can help you establish a solid career regardless of your field.
Acquire Experience
Certain professions may demand experience in a specific field following your nursing degree. You can obtain part of that experience by working as a pre-nursing student.
Get part-time employment that includes dealing with children if you wish to work in a profession that demands experience with children. You can then include that experience on your CV.
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15 Best Jobs For Nursing Students in 2024
Part-time Jobs for Pre-nursing Students
Part-time jobs may be necessary for pre-nursing students who require additional income or experience. They can still work in the medical area without having their nursing qualifications.
If you’re a pre-nursing student looking for a part-time job, look for one in a hospital or clinic that doesn’t require any more education. Here we discuss the benefits of working part-time.
#1. Hospital Transporter
A hospital transporter transports patients within a hospital. They assist patients whenever they require transportation, beginning when they exit their vehicles upon arrival at the hospital. They may also assist children in getting into and out of their beds.
Transporters can also assist in moving patients between hospital departments, such as from surgery to their recovery area. When the doctor discharges a patient, a transporter may push their wheelchair to their automobile.
They keep track of transportation equipment such as beds and wheelchairs so that they may assist when needed.
#2. Caregiver
A caregiver works at a nursing home or treatment center, assisting patients with everyday activities and ensuring they receive the necessary care. They occasionally make house calls to patients who live at home. Caregivers bathe, groom their patients, and assist them with cloth, toilet, and exercise.
They can assist with basic food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, and other chores. They track which medications each patient requires and ensure they follow the prescription.
#3. Orderly
An orderly or patient services assistant works in a hospital, aiding patients in a certain ward with their requirements. Orderlies monitor the ward to ensure it is clean and neat.
They also ensure the patients have all they require, including supporting them in moving or transferring them in wheelchairs if necessary. They can keep track of the patients in their ward before and after surgeries, recording how their conditions change.
#4. Occupational Therapy Assistant
An occupational therapy aide assists patients in an occupational therapist’s office. They set up therapy areas for occupational therapists to use. They must clean and maintain the equipment and treat and call for repairs when it malfunctions.
They can also answer patients’ inquiries about their treatment or OT services. They may answer phones and assist with appointment scheduling for their OT office.
#5. Phlebotomist
A phlebotomist draws blood from patients at a hospital or care institution. Various medical examinations to establish a patient’s health may include extracting blood from the patient. A large number of people donate blood to hospitals and blood banks.
A phlebotomist is a medical expert who draws blood in the most painless, rapid, and effective way possible. They frequently keep patients calm and update them on their progress. They may inquire about the patient’s blood type and whether or not they have any ailments.
#6. Summer Camp Nurse Assistant
A summer camp nursing assistant assists the resident nurse at a summer camp. They may assist in the treatment of the campers’ wounds and ailments. They can learn how to connect with patients and what procedures to use.
Nurse assistants can also aid in preparing the nursing station by stocking it with medical supplies. They may give safety instructions to camp guests, such as how to use equipment or execute activities safely. They may also keep a record of all treatments administered by the nurse at the camp.
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Part-time Jobs for Nursing Students
#7. Environmental Service Technician
Hospitals’ meticulous cleanliness and sanitation is an essential component of their care. As an environmental services technician, you can get your foot in the door of the healthcare industry.
You’ll work in hospitals to protect vulnerable patients by implementing sanitization techniques that prevent the spread of sickness and infection.
Because a large part of the job is keeping the patient environment sanitary and safe, this environmental services job is an excellent way to demonstrate your patient safety knowledge to potential employers.
You can go to health facilities near you to apply for this role.
#8. Psychiatric Aide
The psychiatric aide role is the ideal student nursing position for those interested in mental health. Any aspiring nurse could benefit greatly from gaining experience in the psychiatric ward because nurses are essential in the fight against mental health crises.
According to the BLS, psychiatric assistants assist patients in mental health facilities with eating, dressing, and bathing. In addition, they help with group activities, clean, transport, and restrain patients in the event of physical abuse.
According to the BLS, psychiatric assistants normally require a high school graduation or an equivalent. Before you start, there may be some on-the-job training.
You can go to psychiatric health facilities near you to apply for this role.
#9. Sanitation Technicians
Health sanitation technicians, also known as sanitary technicians, clean, maintain, operate, or empty the healthcare institution’s equipment, healthcare facilities, and surroundings.
Additionally, they guarantee the cleanliness and organization of the wards, restrooms, and convenience rooms. They assist in managing and getting rid of various wastes.
#10. Order Administrator
Managing the order cycle of operations in a healthcare facility is one of the order administrators’ main responsibilities. They quickly complete the order cycle, modify orders, and guarantee that those alterations are carried out quickly.
Additionally, they interact with internal supplies, keep track of deliveries, convey problems to suppliers, and provide proper invoices.
#11. Dietary Aide
A dietary assistant prepares meals for patients that adhere to their dietary needs. They cook meals, distribute them to specific wards, and clean the workspace at specific times. They might even set up dining places outside of a hospital so that patients can eat with friends or relatives.
#12. Health Screener
A health screener’s main responsibilities are gathering and arranging data on a medical professional’s behalf.
They measure patients’ height, weight, blood pressure, and vital signs and take samples to examine their health. They administer these exams using biometric instruments.
#13. Medical Administrative Assistant
A medical administrative assistant’s main responsibilities include scheduling and verifying patient appointments.
They help with health insurance claims, patient billing, and payment processing. Additionally, they organize medical paperwork, create reports, and assemble and record medical charts.
#14. Unit Clerk
A unit clerk may welcome guests to the facility and take calls, ensuring that callers get to talk to the appropriate patient’s room or department.
They could also process medical invoices and provide timesheets for the employees. These people communicate with patients, their relatives, and hospital employees.
#15. Dental Assistant
Patients receive assistance from dental assistants during filling, scaling, polishing, crowning, and extractions.
They converse with the patients and perform administrative duties while preparing them for surgery. Operate dental tools and set up exam rooms for dentists with the help of dental assistants.
Key Skills Required as a Health Worker
As a nursing student, you need certain key skills to complete specific duties. Among these abilities are:
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Ethics and confidentiality
- Interpersonal skills
- Physical endurance
- Teamwork
- Time management
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The 16 Highest Paid Nursing Jobs in 2024
People who choose to become nurses are motivated to assist others. Patient care is the primary concern, whether vital signs are being taken in a clinic or assessments are being made in a hospital.
But as you progress through nursing school, you learn about the various nursing specializations offered and the benefits associated with each.
There are numerous nursing specialties, including midwifery, gerontological care, anesthesia, and nursing management, each with special advantages that draw in different types of students. Of course, your remuneration is one of the most important advantages of nursing.
Many specialties may offer a range of incomes according to your education and experience. Consequently, we frequently hear the question, “What are the best-paid nursing jobs?”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual pay* for registered nurses in the country is approximately $78,000, or $37 per hour.
While a lucrative nursing job may sound appealing, it’s crucial to consider your interests or areas of passion when selecting a nursing specialty. Depending on your region, sector, level of education, and experience, you can earn various salaries as an RN.
Here are some examples of the best-paying professions for registered nurses, as determined by the BLS, along with their corresponding salaries:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist – $202,000
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner – $131,000
- Cardiac Nurse Practitioner – $120,000
- Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner – $119,000
- Oncology Nurse Practitioner – $119,000
- General Nurse Practitioner – $118,000
- Family Nurse Practitioner – $116,000
- Nurse Midwife – $114,000
- Clinical Nurse Specialist – $113,000
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – $112,000
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – $112,000
- Pain Management Nurse – $110,000
- Nurse Researcher – $104,000
- Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) – $100,000
- Nurse Administrator – $97,000
- Nurse Educator – $79,000
FAQ
They may be responsible for monitoring patients’ health, giving medication, and helping patients dress, bathe, and eat. Students must reassure patients who may be skeptical of a student nurse.
What does a nurse intern get paid? The average hourly wage for a nurse intern in the United States as of May 15, 2024, is $18.19.
According to the logically laid out hospital processes, you will seek to promote, maintain, and recover patients’ health as a student nurse. Since student nursing practice is restricted, you frequently need permission before treating patients.
Knowing what to expect from each class will help you to prepare best if you’re preparing to start nursing school.
Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology all have a well-deserved reputation for being challenging to pass. Chemistry, Cardiology, or Mental Health may be challenging for some individuals.
Most students seem to think that Nursing Fundamentals is the easiest class, though this may vary from student to student.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it—the 15 best jobs for nursing students in 2024. We’ve explored various opportunities that can provide valuable experience, enhance your skills, and contribute to your financial well-being while you pursue your nursing education.
Each job offers unique benefits, whether it’s gaining hands-on patient care experience as a nursing assistant, sharpening your communication skills as a medical receptionist, or honing your critical thinking abilities as a research assistant.
By considering these job options, you can find a balance between your studies and work, making the most of your time and setting a solid foundation for your future nursing career. Remember, these jobs provide not only income but also the chance to network with professionals in the healthcare field and build valuable connections.
As a nursing student, you’re already on a path to making a difference in people’s lives, and these jobs will help you further develop the skills and knowledge you need to excel in your chosen profession. So, don’t hesitate to explore these opportunities and seize the ones that resonate with your interests and goals. Wishing you success and fulfillment as you embark on this exciting journey in the world of nursing.
Reference
- bls.gov – Registered Nurses
- registerednursern.com – Good Jobs for Nursing Students
- indeed.com – 11 Part-Time Jobs for a Pre-Nursing Student
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