Looking for a job to help boost your nursing resume? Well look no further, here are the top ten best jobs for nursing students!
1. Medical Assistant (aka MA)
Being a Medical Assistant, also known as a MA, throughout nursing school is a great idea, in fact it’s what Nurse Courtney did! Find an area of interest, like pediatrics or dermatology, and see if there are any offices near you that are looking for a medical assistant. Often these offices will train you and there won’t be any additional schooling required!
2. Emergency Medical Tech (aka EMT)
An Emergency Medical Technician, also known as an EMT, is a great option for those who are looking to go into the medical field but aren’t exactly sure where they want to end up. It is important to note that additional schooling is required to become an EMT. This is a great option for those who want to take a gap year before applying to nursing school, those who want to continuing working while in school, and those taking their prerequisites.
3. Medical Transporter
A Medical Transporter is another great choice while in school. You can work in a hospital transferring patients from floor to floor or with an ambulance company transporting patients in and out of the hospital. You’re going to be exposed to nursing jargon and start hearing about various illnesses and comorbidities to help prepare you for nursing school and your career in nursing.
4. Private Doctors Office
Looking for a job in a private doctors’ office in another great option. Maybe there’s a job posting for a receptionist, great! This is a perfect job to begin immersing yourself in the medical world and work on your communication skills, a great thing to put on your nursing resume!
Also visit 12 Popular New Grad Nurse Skills for Your Resume for more information.
5. Medical Scribe
A Medical Scribe for a private physician or a hospital is a great choice for nursing students. You’re going to be exposed to multiple diseases and medical terminology which will be beneficial whether you’re a pre-nursing or nursing student. Fun fact, Nurse Courtney also worked as a Medical Scribe while in school and it definitely helped when reading patient charts in the future!
Visit Medical Abbreviations You Must Know for a quick guide!
6. Medical Technician
There are various types of technician jobs in the medical field, cardiac monitor techs, phlebotomy techs, and laboratory techs just to name a few! There is typically required schooling or training that comes along with these roles, but sometimes hospitals will train you directly. If you can get one of these jobs as a medical tech in a hospital, oftentimes the hospital will pay part of your continued education to go back and get your nursing degree if you agree to continue to work at their hospital after you graduate. Some financial help and a guaranteed job after nursing school seems like a no brainer!
7. Personal Caregiver
Being a Personal Caregiver for someone who can’t take care of themselves is not only rewarding, it’s another great job to have while in nursing school. Often as a caregiver you’re going to have responsibilities such as helping the patient with their laundry, making them dinner, and helping them bathe. But you’ll also have some down time with the patient while they rest for you to get some studying done. I know when I was in nursing school, I had some classmates who took turns providing care for an elderly woman and it worked out great with our school schedule!
8. Certified Nursing Aide (aka CNA)
A Certified Nursing Aide, also known as a CNA, is similar to a Personal Caregiver but instead of only taking care of one patient, you care for multiple. CNA’s can be found in the hospital assisting RN’s as well as at nursing homes. Their main roles are helping clean and turn patients, answering call lights alongside RN’s, and providing assistance in ADLs or Activities of Daily Living. Which include helping patients toilet, bathe, dress, and any other personal hygiene task. Being a CNA does require some schooling but is usually fulfilled by bachelor prepared nurse schooling in the first or second semester.
9. Phlebotomist
Being a Phlebotomist will provide great insight into nursing, such as with patient communication, comfort, and skill. Different facilities may require a different level of education or training so check with your local facilities before applying.
10. Seasonal Jobs
If you aren’t able to get a job in the medical field, don’t worry! You can always choose to work a seasonal job. Such as one in retail while you’re on break from school during the summer and winter. Retail stores will often hire students with the understanding that it’s only for a few months while on break. Plus if you have a strong enough relationship with the company, you’ll likely be asked back for the next break. Nurse Courtney also did this while in school!
You Can’t Go Wrong!
Whichever path you choose, you really can’t go wrong. Not only are you making a little extra cash, but you’re also boosting your resume! Plus if you choose one of the medical jobs, you’re going to get an insight as to what nursing has to offer. And who knows, maybe you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes to nursing school and your career! Afterall, it’s never too soon to start making connections in the field you hope to work in!
Be sure to check out the following posts for more nursing info!
- How to Set Up Your LinkedIn for Success
- Common New Grad Nursing Interview Questions
- How to Get the Most Out of Your Preceptorship
- What to Bring to Your Interview
- How to Professionally and Successfully Network
- How to Know if You Should Take the Job
- Managing and Preventing Student Stress