Nursing school is an investment, so you might be tempted to look for jobs for nursing students. First, make sure you can prioritize your studies. You’ll need a job with flexible scheduling. It’s also ideal to find a job that offers pre-nursing experience, such as home health aide or phlebotomist.
Nursing school is an investment in your future and requires much time. While financial aid is available to defray the cost, some nursing students do need to work at least part-time while attending school. The best jobs for nursing students are those that also provide pre-nursing experience with flexible scheduling, such as patient transporter or phlebotomist.
Northeastern University is proud to provide robust scholarship opportunities to nursing students attending our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. If you do need to work while attending school, it’s recommended that you choose a job that will not interfere with your studies.
When considering the job opportunities for nursing students, look at jobs that will fit with the nursing specializations you are interested in, the qualifications needed and whether they allow for flexible scheduling.
Gaining Work Experience as a Nursing Student
When looking for job opportunities for nursing students, you might consider becoming a babysitter or working in food service. Although these jobs are plentiful, you may want to consider a part-time job that is relevant to your studies.
An entry-level healthcare job allows you to gain pre-nursing experience, improve your patient interaction skills and build your professional network.
Before accepting a position, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the scheduling flexible enough to accommodate classes, labs and clinicals?
- Will I still be able to prioritize my studies?
- How much time does this job require per week?
- How long will the commute take?
- Will this job provide healthcare experience?
Try these top 10 tips to survive nursing school.
Top Jobs for Nursing Students That Offer Valuable Healthcare Experience
Since there are many job opportunities for nursing students to choose from, you’ll want to carefully consider how the job fits into your nursing career goals and school schedule.
1. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
EMTs are members of the emergency medical services (EMS) team who provide care to patients outside of a hospital setting. They operate in a limited scope of practice.
Typical duties include performing assessments, taking vital signs, applying bandages or splints, performing CPR or assisting the paramedic with treatments or procedures.
EMTs must complete a state-approved training program and achieve certification. Some EMT openings are volunteer positions in certain areas, such as fire departments or police departments; however, you can also seek employment within hospitals or private ambulance companies.
Becoming an EMT could be a good choice for aspiring nurses who are interested in emergency nursing.
2. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Nursing assistants administer care for patients in various healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes, assisted living, hospice, community-based long-term care and correctional institutions. They help patients with the activities of daily living (ADLs) and provide basic healthcare under the supervision of a nurse.
Aspiring CNAs must complete a state-approved education program and pass a certification exam. Some specializations might be available, depending on the state.
Discover how to make the transition from CNA to RN.
3. Phlebotomist
A phlebotomist draws blood from patients for clinical or medical testing, transfusions, donations or research. Their duties include interpreting requested tests, withdrawing blood, instructing patients on post-puncture care, ordering tests per the doctor's requisition and delivering specimens to a laboratory.
Working as a phlebotomist can be great for building pre-nursing experience, as nurses often need to place IV lines and draw blood. Work requirements vary by state. Some require completion of an accredited training program and licensure or certification. Other states allow employer-provided training programs.
4. Home Health Aide
Home health aides work with patients who need assistance in their own homes. Typically, they help patients with ADLs, such as bathing and dressing. They might also provide light housekeeping, transportation to appointments and companionship.
Depending on state regulations, some home health aides provide basic medical care under the supervision of another healthcare provider. This basic care includes checking vital signs and changing wound dressings.
Some states require aspiring aides to complete a training program and obtain licensure. Others do not require formal credentials for all types of home health aides, but might require certification if they work in certain settings, such as hospice care.
5. Monitor Technician
A monitor technician works in the hospital at the monitor station. They watch monitors for significant changes that could indicate a problem with patients. They communicate changes in health status to nurses.
Some monitor technicians need to take an EKG interpretation course, but are generally trained on the job. Becoming a monitor technician is a great way to get started in a hospital, as you will have more opportunities to build your professional network as a student outside of clinical rotations.
6. Caregiver
Caregivers work for individuals with impairments in everyday life activities. Their duties will depend on the employer's individual needs, but they typically include meal preparation, companionship or household tasks.
There are no formal requirements to become a caregiver besides the desire to work in the healthcare field. Since there are no medical duties as a caregiver, it’s an excellent experience for pre-nursing students.
7. Patient Care Technician (PCT)
A patient care technician works under the supervision of the nursing team. They assist with basic tasks, such as taking vital signs and helping patients ambulate. They might also collect medical samples, escort patients to treatments or tests and communicate changes in health status to the nursing staff.
Work requirements vary by state. Some states require a formal training program and certification; however, some employers require those credentials even if not required by state law.
8. Patient Transporter
Patient transporter jobs for nursing students can be an excellent way to become familiar with the daily operations of a hospital. Patient transporters move patients from one area of the hospital to another. For example, a patient admitted to the emergency room will be moved to another department by the transporter.
Patient transporters generally only need a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Some employers require CPR certification.
9. Dialysis Technician
Dialysis technicians maintain and operate the medical equipment used in dialysis treatments for patients with kidney disease. They may also draw blood samples, take vital signs and provide emotional support to patients undergoing treatments, all under the supervision of other healthcare providers.
Typically, dialysis technicians must complete a training program. Some states require certification.
Enjoy Flexibility With Northeastern's Accelerated BSN Program
Our ABSN program provides more flexibility than traditional BSN programs, as our students can complete nursing coursework online. This makes it a little easier to work while attending nursing school; however, your job schedule must work around in-person nursing labs and clinical rotations.
Regardless of whether you’re a working student, you’ll benefit from our small class sizes and hybrid approach to learning. With rolling admissions and ABSN locations near Boston, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island and in Charlotte, North Carolina, you can start nursing school soon.
Contact an admissions counselor today to discover if our ABSN program is the right fit for you.
