BEST jobs while in Nursing School💸
🌙One thing I love, working nights! I know it’s not for everyone one, but it’s beneficial when you’re a full time student. Based on my experience, low impact jobs are worth having if you can snag one as a nursing student. Here are some jobs I would recommend (days or nights).
⚕️VPO/Sitter: day or night availability. I currently work full time as a VPO (visual patient observer). It’s similar to being a physical sitter, except I virtually watch the patients. So no physical patient interaction, no vitals, no breaking my back turning pts. Pay is great, and it’s truly a soft life job. They also have positions for RNs. 10000/10 recommend!!!!
👩🏽⚕️Nurse Extern: SUPER FLEXIBLE hours (I can work 6, 8, 10, or 12 hour shifts) day or night availability needed. I work PRN as an Extern and love it. You’re an extension of the nurse you’re assigned to that shift. You get experience starting IVs, taking them out, hanging fluids, passing meds, doing wound care, etc. So thankfully I lucked up on this opportunity because nursing school does not show or teach you how to actually be a nurse or work as one. These programs also give you first dibs when you graduate and you’re looking for a job as a new grad! If you can get an Externship while in nursing school, the amount of knowledge and exp you gain is worth it! I have yet to have a busy night and more than enough time to study and knock out school work! 100/10 recommend!!!
🥊Pt Sitter: Day or night availability. A sitter is very similar to a VPO, except you’re physically in the room with the patient or sitting outside the room watching the pt (a 1:1 situation). Some places require you to be more hands on and do Q4 or Q8 vitals, clean the pt, etc. Still able to get work and studying done since you’re working with 1 pt all shift. 8/10 recommend
💊Hospice HCT (Health care tech/CNA/PCT): Day or night availability, this unit usually requires Q12 vitals, and maybe bathing the pt on nights if it hasn’t already been done (days shift usually does it). But due to this pt population being on palliative care, not much is needed or requested of the CNA. 7/10 recommend.
💉CVS PCA (patient care aide): the pay for this job, from what I’ve seen in my area is very good! They’re super selective but the bare minimum is required while working. You take vitals, stock the room (s)…basically medical assistant work just with less of a physical demand since you’re not in an office setting. This job is only available for days. I turned this one down since I needed a job at night and the VPO paid more. 8/10 recommend!
😷Tech at a clinic or doctors office: Also a day shift job only, I always loved the atmosphere office work brings. A clinical setting has a lower pt load, and the staff are prioritize along with the pts (so it feels more like a family environment, based on my experience). From potlucks, secret Santa, thank you and appreciation gifts from the doctors that own the place, etc. You usually work at the front desk booking appointments, answering the phones…being a secretary. 8/10 recommend.
📞Unit secretary: this role is exactly as you think. You work as a secretary in hospitals on a unit (I recommend this over taking a job as a CNA, HCT, PCT, etc). You don’t have a pt load, you answer the unit phone, transfer calls to the nurses, set up the group chat for the night, answer call lights at the front desk and relay the pts needs to their nurse or aide at the time. This can be a day or night shift job. Plenty of time when. Working nights to get studying and school work done! 7/10 recommend.
🏥Check your local hospitals, doctors offices, clinics, etc for these job opportunities. It never hurts to apply, you just might luck up and land one. Plus getting paid to study and do school work doesn’t hurt either. Most jobs in healthcare understand you’re a student and embrace the fact even!
Nursing students often find it challenging to balance work and academic responsibilities. Choosing flexible and low-stress jobs can provide the income needed while allowing time for studies. Some of the best options include Virtual Patient Observer positions, where students can watch patients remotely, ensuring no physical strain. Nurse Extern roles offer hands-on experience that is invaluable, as they allow students to practice essential nursing tasks such as IV placement and medication administration while working alongside experienced nurses. Other beneficial jobs include Patient Sitters, where students care for one patient at a time, allowing for uninterrupted study sessions during shifts. Similarly, Health Care Technicians and Patient Care Aides usually involve routine medical tasks and provide exposure to clinical settings. Additionally, unit secretaries play a crucial role by managing calls and assisting nurses, often providing a quieter environment for studying. With many healthcare facilities understanding the demands of nursing school, these jobs are not only a source of income but also a meaningful way to engage with the healthcare community, enhancing your future nursing career as you gain real-world experience. Don't hesitate to explore local job postings in hospitals or clinics; the right opportunity could support both your professional growth and academic success.
what’s some tips on getting hired as a unit secretary.. I applied a few years ago and never got a call back .