The 10 Best Jobs for Nursing Students
January 24, 2024Nursing school can be a challenging choice, particularly as employers are increasingly looking for nurses who complete bachelor’s degree programs rather than associate degree programs. To cover the cost, many students turn to student loans; in fact, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported that 69% of students took out student loans to pay for nursing school.
Working while in nursing school can help offset the cost of your education so you can graduate with less debt. Although juggling work and school can be challenging, several jobs can match a nursing student’s busy schedule.
What Makes an Ideal Job for Nursing Students?
When it comes to the best jobs for nursing students, look for the following factors:
- Flexibility: With your course load, you may need to work only certain days per week or a very part-time schedule.
- Experience: Ideally, any employment should be related to the medical field so you can gain experience.
- Earnings: To make working part-time worth it, look for positions that pay a solid wage for your location to cover your living expenses and potentially some of your education costs.
Jobs for Nursing Students
Based on their potential earnings and flexibility, we identified the best jobs for nursing students:
1. Certified Nursing Assistant
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) provides basic care to patients, such as transporting, cleaning or lifting patients. You can find employment with a range of institutions, including hospitals and residential care facilities.
As of 2022, the median pay for CNAs is about $17 per hour. However, you may need to pass a state-approved program and competency exam to be certified and licensed.
2. Emergency Medical Technician
An emergency medical technician (EMT) assesses injuries or illnesses, provides life-saving care in emergencies and transports patients to hospitals.
Although most EMTs and paramedics work full-time, areas with shortages of EMTs may offer part-time schedules, particularly for nights and weekends.
The median pay for EMTs is about $19 per hour. All states have licensing requirements for EMTs, but the specific requirements vary by state.
3. Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists work in hospitals, diagnostic labs, and doctors’ offices and are responsible for blood collection and the submission of samples. This role can give nursing students valuable, hands-on experience working with patients, and the median pay is about $19 per hour.
4. Hospital Clerk
Hospital clerks or medical records specialists handle administrative tasks in hospitals or doctors’ offices, such as processing patient files. These roles allow you to learn the administrative side of the healthcare industry and the patient experience.
The median pay is about $23 per hour.
5. Medical Interpreter or Translator
In the United States, millions of people speak languages other than English; the United States Census Bureau reported that 8.3% of people living in the U.S. may struggle to communicate in English. The language barrier can be challenging for medical providers, which is why medical interpreters or translators are essential.
If you are fluent in another language, you can earn money acting as an interpreter for patients and medical professionals. The median pay for this role is about $26 per hour.
6. Medical Assistant
Medical assistants work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and health clinics, and they provide administrative and clinical help. They can check patients’ vital signs, process paperwork, and schedule appointments.
The median pay for a medical assistant is about $18 per hour.
7. Home Health Aide
A home health aide provides basic care to individuals in their own homes. As a home health aide, you help patients with daily activities like bathing or eating. The demand for the job is intense; the job outlook is expected to grow by about 22% by 2032, much higher than the national average for all positions.
The median pay for home health aides is about $15 per hour.
8. Medical Scribe
A medical scribe or transcriptionist takes electronic recordings to convert conversations or exchanges into formal, written reports. Scribes work for hospitals, physician offices, and third-party companies. Part-time work is common, and the median pay is $17 per hour.
9. Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical therapy assistants or aides work for physical therapists or hospitals and assist patients working toward improving their mobility and managing pain. You will likely need to have an associate degree from an accredited program and a license or certificate for this position. Because of its requirements, the median pay is higher than you’ll find with other jobs; the median wage is about $28 per hour.
10. Transporter
Medical transporters, including ambulance drivers, transport patients and medical supplies to healthcare facilities. Not only can this role give you experience in hospital logistics, but the median wage is about $16 per hour.
Managing Studies and Work Life
Although nursing programs can be rigorous, many students can successfully balance full- or part-time employment while in school. To juggle work and school, follow these tips:
- Stay organized: Organization is critical. Whether you find it best to use a large physical calendar to track your work schedule and classwork or prefer a digital system, finding a way to manage your schedule and to-do list is key.
- Make note of key dates: Review your class syllabi and make a note of major assignment due dates or exams. That way, you can request time off or reduce your hours leading up to those dates without scrambling at the last minute.
- Give yourself some wiggle room: One of the most common mistakes is scheduling obligations too close together. When deciding on your schedule, give yourself a little extra time between work and class — and cut your hours slightly from the maximum you think you can handle — to ensure you have some wiggle room when your work or classes becomes overwhelming.
Advice for Nursing Students Seeking Employment
If you’re in nursing school, contact your program’s career department. Many universities have career services staff that can help you polish your resume or cover letter and identify potential job opportunities.
When you’re ready to apply, you can find potential jobs on SnagAJob, NurseDash, and Indeed.
Final Considerations
As a nursing student, the experience you gain working while completing your education can be invaluable. It can allow you to earn money to offset your education expenses, but you’ll also gain invaluable, hands-on experience with patients and the healthcare system, preparing you to be a better nurse after graduation.