Finding a good job as a student nurse and knowing if it is possible to work and go to nursing school can be difficult if you do not know where to look for a job, especially if you are new to the health care field. There are plenty of nursing jobs on the market that can be filled by nursing students.
Granted, they won’t get paid as much as a registered nurse salary but anything is good while you are in school trying to get your nursing degree. Plus the experience will help you get some experience and may be get your foot in the door at the place you want to work. You have to start somewhere, right?
What are the Best Student Nurse Jobs while in Nursing School?
Here is a short list of jobs that a nursing student can do. These jobs are jobs that can be acquired in a hospital and can help a nursing student become exposed to a hospital setting:
- Certified Nursing Assistant-assists the RN and LPN with patient care (bathing, toileting, ambulating, feeding, etc)
- Patient Safety Companion– basically a person who is hired to sit with a patient to prevent them from harming themselves.
- Phlebotomist– draws blood and collect certain specimens.
- Hospital transporter-transports patients to testing throughout the hospital
- Hospital Clerical-put doctors orders in the computer, answers phones, and other types of secretary work.
- EMT
- Telemetry Monitor Tech– (does require a high school diploma) requires a person to watch cardiac monitors all day and report to the nurse if a patient is having a different heart rhythm.
Is it Possible to Work and Go To Nursing School?
Many nursing students have this question. I know I did while I was in nursing school two years ago. Alot of people wonder if they will be able to handle the stress of nursing school and a job together.
In some cases, some nursing students HAVE to work because they have bills, children, and mortages and not working is not an option. While I was in nursing school I was lucky to have my husband who worked and supported me through it. However, the last semester of nursing school I did get a job as a CNA and only worked PRN (as needed).
I think if a person does work through nursing school it should only be part-time because nursing school will require a lot of your time. If you are thinking about going to nursing school and have to work full-time. I would save up money before you start nursing school so you could cut down to part-time until you make it through school.
However, I have seen some people work full-time through nursing school and make it. But they were stressed most of the time and looked extremely tired. BUT it can be done but it will be hard. If you choose to work full-time be prepared to make sacrifices of your time for family and friends.
It is definitely possible to work and go to nursing school but it depends on how much you work and how well you can handle stress (people handle stress differently).
Need Help with the Nursing Job Process?
Check out our job guide called “Nursing Resume Templates and Job Guide by Nurse Sarah“. Nurse Sarah’s updated eBook guide & template bundle will walk you step-by-step through the entire job process. You’ll learn how to….
- Create a stunning resume and matching cover letter (16 professionally designed templates included with download)
- Ace your nursing job interview with the most common job interview questions (includes sample answers)
- Getting letters of recommendation & putting together your nurse portfolio
- Tips for finding your first nursing job and getting hired fast
- Tips to transition from nursing student to new nurse (talking to doctors, common struggles, etc.)
- Advancing in your career
- And more (see table of contents below)
Resume Templates and Matching Cover Letters Included
How to Buy
You can get an eBook version here or physical copy (affiliate ad) here.