Are you a nursing student looking to get some hands-on experience and start your healthcare career? You’re in the right place! Working while in nursing school can make you learn faster and boost your job prospects after graduation. This guide will show you the best jobs for nursing students, like medical assistants, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and more.

These jobs offer valuable experience, learning chances, and a better shot at getting a job after you finish school.

Key Takeaways

• Nursing student job opportunities offer hands-on experience and learning opportunities
• These roles can improve your chances of employment after graduation
• Jobs like medical assistant, CNA, and surgical technician provide valuable clinical experience
• Part-time and summer positions allow you to balance academics and work
• Gain a competitive edge by building your resume during nursing school

Introduction to Nursing Student Jobs

Being a nursing student means juggling school work with real-world experience. Choosing the right part-time job can help you learn new skills, make professional contacts, and improve your resume.

Balancing Academics and Work Experience

Nursing school is tough with its hard classes and busy schedule. But, it’s doable to work while studying. The trick is to pick a job that fits with your school life and keeps you balanced.

Benefits of Working During Nursing School

• Gain practical experience in the healthcare field
• Develop essential skills, such as communication, organization, and problem-solving
• Build professional connections and networking opportunities
• Earn income to offset the cost of nursing school
• Enhance your résumé and stand out to potential employers

Working while studying nursing has many perks. It lets you learn by doing, make important connections, and earn money. Whether you’re a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, or in another healthcare job, this experience is key for your nursing career.

Medical Assistant: A Versatile Role

For nursing students looking for hands-on healthcare experience, becoming a medical assistant is a great option. Medical assistants do both clinical and administrative tasks. They are key members of the healthcare team.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Your job as a medical assistant might include taking patient histories and checking vital signs. You could also give injections and help with simple lab tests. On the administrative side, you might schedule appointments and manage medical records.

You can work in many healthcare places, like doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and outpatient centers.

Educational Requirements and Salary Outlook

To become a medical assistant, you need a high school diploma and a training program, which takes about four months. Medical assistants earn around $42,000 a year. The job is expected to grow by 19% from 2019 to 2029, faster than most jobs.

The need for skilled medical assistants is rising. The healthcare industry is growing, and there’s a need for more support staff. Medical assistants are key in giving great patient care and helping healthcare places run smoothly.

“Medical assistants are the unsung heroes of the healthcare industry, providing invaluable support to physicians and nurses while ensuring the best possible patient experience.”

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a great choice for nursing students. CNAs work in places like long-term care facilities and hospitals. They help with daily tasks and give direct patient care. This job lets you see what patient care is like, which helps with your nursing career.

As a CNA, you’ll do tasks like lifting patients and moving heavy things. It’s hard work but shows you the real side of healthcare. You’ll understand patients’ needs better and learn important skills for nursing school.

CNA Certification Requirements

Getting CNA certified takes 4 to 12 weeks, based on the state and program. You need to finish a training program approved by the state and pass a test. After you pass, you can work as a CNA in many healthcare places.

Being a CNA while studying nursing gives you real patient care experience. It also lets you see what healthcare is like and builds skills for your nursing future.

Surgical Technician: Behind the Scenes

As a nursing student, you might want to look into the role of a surgical technician. These professionals are key in the operating room. They work with surgeons to make sure surgeries go smoothly.

The responsibilities of a surgical technician include getting the operating room ready and handing tools to the surgeon. They also help by cleaning up blood, holding things in place, and keeping track of surgical tools. This helps prevent tools from being left inside the patient.

To become a surgical technician, you usually need a certificate or an associate’s degree. These programs teach you about anatomy, medical terms, surgery, and how to keep things clean. You’ll also get practical training in real hospitals to get ready for the job.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says surgical technologists will see a 7% job growth from 2019 to 2029. This is faster than most jobs. In May 2020, they made a median salary of $49,710, with the top earners making over $71,400.

If you’re looking into surgical technician jobs for nursing students, this job is exciting. It gives you real-world experience and insights into surgery. With the right education and training, you can help make surgeries successful and improve patient care.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Nursing students looking for valuable work experience should consider becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). EMTs are the first ones to respond to emergencies. They work in ambulances, taking patients to hospitals. They are key in giving immediate care and helping patients in critical situations.

Responding to Medical Emergencies

EMTs do many important tasks like taking vital signs and giving injections. They also perform CPR. Their fast thinking and staying calm can save lives. For nursing students, this job is great for learning important skills and understanding healthcare better.

To be an EMT, you need to finish a 1-2 year certification program. This program teaches you about emergency care, checking on patients, and how to transport them safely. After finishing the program and passing the NREMT exam, you can start working as an EMT. This job gives you skills that are useful for nursing.

Many EMTs move to nursing because nursing offers better jobs and pay. Some EMTs go to an ABSN program, which takes only 16 months. This lets them use their medical knowledge and experience to grow their careers in healthcare.

The data shows nurses earn more and have better job prospects than EMTs. This makes nursing a great choice for career growth. For nursing students, being an EMT is a great way to get hands-on experience and move forward in their careers.

Phlebotomist: Drawing Blood Samples

If you’re a nursing student wanting to get more healthcare experience, being a phlebotomist is a great choice. Phlebotomists are experts at taking blood samples from patients for tests. They are key in the medical process, making sure blood tests are done right to help diagnose health issues.

Training and Certification Requirements

To become a phlebotomist, you need to finish a training program. These programs can be as short as 30 hours or take up to a year. They teach you how to draw blood safely and handle samples right. Phlebotomy training and certification can be found at technical schools, community colleges, or hospitals.

Getting certified isn’t always needed, but many employers want it. Phlebotomist jobs for nursing students often require certifications from groups like the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), or the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

Being a good phlebotomist also means being great at talking to people, paying attention to details, and being kind. This helps patients feel okay when you take their blood.

The need for healthcare workers is growing, making phlebotomist jobs for nursing students very promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says phlebotomy technician jobs will grow much faster than average. This makes it a great career choice for those into the medical field.

nursing student job opportunities

As a nursing student, you have many chances to get valuable healthcare experience. You can work on-campus or in part-time healthcare jobs. These jobs offer the training and connections you need to do well in nursing. If you’re looking for the best jobs for nursing students, healthcare jobs for nursing students, or part-time jobs in healthcare for nursing students, there are lots of options.

One great job for nursing students is being a medical assistant. You’ll help healthcare providers with tasks like patient care and office work. Another good choice is being a certified nursing assistant (CNA). This job lets you work directly with patients and get real-world experience in a hospital or clinic.

There are more jobs for nursing students too, like surgical technicians, EMTs, and phlebotomists. Each job offers different experiences and skills that can help in your nursing career.

The best jobs for nursing students are flexible, relevant to healthcare, and pay well. Using these healthcare jobs for nursing students and part-time jobs in healthcare for nursing students, you can get ahead and build a strong nursing career.

Hospital Volunteer: Giving Back

Volunteering at a local hospital as a nursing student is rewarding and enriching. These roles don’t pay, but they let you work with patients, gain experience, and help the community. You’ll learn how a healthcare facility works, develop key skills, and change lives.

You can help by greeting patients and visitors or keeping the hospital clean. A special role is comforting NICU babies when their parents are not there. This job gives them vital touch and support. Through these roles, you’ll learn more about nursing and improve your skills in empathy, communication, and problem-solving.

The benefits of volunteering in a hospital go beyond just learning. You’ll feel fulfilled and happy to be making a difference. Volunteering also makes your resume stronger, helping you stand out when applying to nursing school.

If you’re a nursing student wanting to develop invaluable skills and give back to your community, look into hospital volunteer opportunities. The experience and impact you make will be rewarding.

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” – Unknown

Home Health Aide: Personalized Care

If you’re a nursing student, you might find a rewarding job as a home health aide. These professionals visit patients at their homes. They offer personalized care and help with everyday tasks. This includes bathing, grooming, preparing meals, and reminding patients to take their medicine.

Home health aides do more than just care for patients. They check patients’ vital signs, change simple bandages, and report any changes to doctors. This job not only helps patients but also teaches you important skills. Skills like critical thinking and emergency response will help you in your nursing career.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says home health aides in the U.S. make about $33,530 a year on average. You don’t need a college degree to become one. This makes it a great choice for nursing students who want to earn while they learn.

Being a home health aide lets you learn many skills that are great for nursing. You’ll get to work directly with patients, communicate well, and solve problems. This job is a big step towards becoming a registered nurse.

Hospice Aide: End-of-Life Care

As a nursing student, you might want to consider a career as a hospice aide. Hospice aides offer comfort and support to those nearing the end of life. They focus on the physical and emotional well-being of patients and their families during tough times.

Compassionate Support and Comfort

Hospice aides are key in keeping the dignity and quality of life for those in their final days. They handle tasks like checking vital signs, giving medicines, and easing symptoms. They also offer emotional and spiritual support. It’s important for hospice aides to have great communication skills to care for patients and their families well.

To work as a hospice aide, you usually need a high school diploma. Some employers might want extra certifications. The job outlook is good, with a 9% increase in jobs from 2020 to 2030. Hospice aides earn about $76,500 a year, as of August 2022, according to PayScale.

If you’re looking into hospice aide jobs for nursing students, know what skills you need. You’ll need empathy, patience, and attention to detail. It’s also crucial to offer compassionate support and comfort to patients and their families at the end of life.

“Hospice aides are the backbone of our hospice team, providing hands-on, compassionate care to our patients and their families. Their dedication and empathy make a meaningful difference during this sensitive time.”

Medical Scribe: Documentation Expertise

As a nursing student, you might want to look into different jobs for gaining clinical experience. A role worth considering is that of a medical scribe. Medical scribes help doctors by writing down what happens during patient visits right away. They make sure medical records are correct and up-to-date.

The job of a medical scribe includes:

• Writing down patient histories, exams, and treatment plans accurately
• Keeping electronic medical records (EMRs) tidy
• Helping doctors during patient visits, so they can focus on care
• Learning about medical terms, procedures, and how healthcare places work

Being a medical scribe has many perks for nursing students, like:

1. Getting real-world experience in documenting medical info and terms
2. Understanding the healthcare system and how patient care works
3. Boosting your resume with a healthcare career commitment
4. Getting paid well, with a median salary of $37,060

Medical scribes are becoming more wanted, especially by Mid-Level Providers like nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They like scribes’ knowledge of medical workflows and patient interactions. Many health programs also see scribe experience as important for getting in.

If you’re a nursing student wanting to get real clinical experience and improve your medical writing skills, a medical scribe role is a great choice. With more people needing scribes and the perks they offer, this job can help you move forward in your healthcare career.

Physical Therapy Assistant

As a nursing student, looking into the role of a physical therapy assistant is rewarding. These assistants work with physical therapists to help patients get stronger and more mobile after injuries or illnesses. They are key in the rehab process, giving direct support and following treatment plans made by therapists.

Physical therapy assistants do many tasks. They give out exercises, use things like electrical stimulation, and help with walking aids. They work closely with patients, helping them through rehab and offering emotional support. They also do admin tasks, like keeping track of patient progress and looking after equipment.

Educational Requirements and Career Outlook

To be a physical therapy assistant, you need an associate degree from an approved program. This usually takes two years. The course includes classes, labs, and clinical work to prepare you for safe patient care.

The job outlook for physical therapy assistants is great, with a 29% growth expected from 2021 to 2031. This is much faster than average. They earn a median salary of $64,080, making it a good choice for nursing students wanting to grow their healthcare skills.

Thinking about being a physical therapy assistant can be a good move for nursing students. It offers hands-on experience in healthcare, lets you explore rehab, and could boost your career in nursing or healthcare fields.

Hospital Clerk: Administrative Support

As a nursing student, you might find jobs in hospitals that aren’t about direct patient care. A key role is that of a hospital clerk. They are vital to the admin team, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Hospital clerks work all day, every day. They manage patient flow, keep track of beds, and coordinate nurse schedules. They also answer questions from patients and visitors. This job gives students valuable customer service skills, medical knowledge, and strong organizational abilities. These skills are great for your nursing career.

• Responsibilities of a hospital clerk include:
  • Managing patient registration and admissions
  • Maintaining up-to-date records and patient files
  • Coordinating scheduling and staffing for nurses and other healthcare professionals
  • Serving as the main point of contact for patients, visitors, and other hospital staff
  • Handling insurance and billing inquiries

To be a hospital clerk, you usually need a high school diploma. But, having office or admin experience is often preferred. This job is a great way for nursing students to learn about healthcare operations. It also helps you develop skills developed as a hospital clerk that are important in nursing.

By looking into hospital clerk jobs for nursing students, you can earn extra money and grow professionally. It’s a great way to prepare for a successful nursing career.

Medical Interpreter or Translator

As a nursing student, you can look into different healthcare roles beyond just patient care. One such role is that of a medical interpreter or translator. These people help healthcare workers talk to patients who don’t speak English or prefer to talk in their own language about private matters.

To be a medical interpreter or translator, you need special training and to pass a fluency test. This ensures you can accurately share or translate complex medical info. This job can give nursing students a chance to work with many different patients and understand how language barriers affect healthcare.

The Role of a Medical Interpreter or Translator

Medical interpreters and translators help healthcare workers and patients who don’t speak the same language. They need great language skills and a deep knowledge of medical terms and cultural differences. Their tasks include:

• Interpreting talks between patients and healthcare staff
• Translating medical documents, like consent forms and discharge instructions
• Ensuring info is correctly shared to keep patients safe and care quality high
• Helping patients and defending their rights and privacy

Recent data shows that medical interpreters can make good money, especially if they’re board-certified and speak two languages well. They usually need a certificate in medical terminology. On-site interpreters and translators can also have flexible hours, which is great for nursing students.

By looking into the role of a medical interpreter or translator, nursing students can get valuable experience in healthcare. They can improve their communication skills and help make patient care better.

Orderly: Operating Room Support

As a nursing student, you might not think about the role of an orderly. But, it’s a great way to get hands-on experience in healthcare. Orderlies, or hospital attendants, are key to keeping operating rooms running smoothly.

Orderlies do important tasks like stocking surgical supplies and moving patients to the operating room. They also make sure the area is clean and safe. These jobs might seem simple, but they’re crucial for safe surgeries.

To be a good orderly, you need to be detail-focused and calm under pressure. You should also be ready to work with a team. Being able to lift patients and stand for long hours is also a must.

Working as an orderly gives nursing students a peek into the operating room’s inner workings. You’ll see how to keep things clean, understand surgery flow, and the need for clear communication among staff.

The skills you pick up as an orderly, like paying attention to details and solving problems, are useful in many nursing jobs. This job can be a great first step towards a nursing career.

“The orderly role is often overlooked, but it’s an essential part of the healthcare team. Working as an orderly has given me a deeper appreciation for the meticulous planning and coordination required in the operating room.”

If you’re looking into orderly jobs for nursing students, think about the responsibilities of an orderly and the skills developed as an orderly. This job offers valuable experience and insights that can help your nursing education and future career.

Transporter: Patient Mobility

As a nursing student, you might get to experience the role of a hospital transporter. Transporters are key in moving patients safely and efficiently around the hospital. This job helps you learn important nursing skills like patient safety, teamwork, and quick thinking.

Transporters move patients from their rooms to places like labs or surgery units. They might use wheelchairs, help patients walk, or operate special equipment. They also keep things clean by following strict rules for disinfecting and caring for equipment.

To be a transporter, you usually need a high school diploma or similar and basic computer skills. Some places might want you to have 1-2 years of experience or a BLS certification from the American Heart Association. You also need to be able to lift heavy things since moving patients can be hard work.

Being a transporter gives you a peek into the healthcare world and the big role of moving patients has in their care. You’ll get better at talking with patients, working with a team, and making sure patients are safe and comfortable. These skills are super useful for your nursing career.

The pay for transporters varies, but at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island, part-time Patient Transport Associates make $21.58 to $23.77 an hour. Your pay can change based on where you work, your experience, and the hospital.

If you’re a nursing student wanting to get hands-on experience and learn key skills, check out transporter jobs for nursing students. Knowing what hospital transporters do and the skills gained as a transporter can really help you in your nursing journey.

Conclusion

Nursing students have many job options, both in healthcare and support roles. These jobs offer hands-on experience, help grow your professional network, and boost your skills for a nursing career. Picking a job that fits your school schedule and career goals can give you an edge in the healthcare field.

Working as a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, or surgical technician is beneficial. These roles are crucial for nursing students. They offer financial support and let you apply what you learn in real situations. This helps you gain confidence and understand nursing better.

When looking at job options, think about your school schedule, career goals, and interests. Finding the right balance between work and study can help you make the most of these opportunities. This approach sets you up for a rewarding nursing career.