Jobs while a nursing student?

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I'm curious to see for those of you who are working what kind of jobs you are holding down while being a student? I have not applied to an RN program yet, but I am finishing my prereqs and I want to get an idea of what current students have done so I can plan accordingly. I see a lot of people who aim to have a job that adds experience, but I also see people who want a a job, but be relatively easy to allow time to study.

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I work as a PCT on a Med/Surg unit. I am out for summer break so I am working FT. But once school starts back up again I need to work a min of 16hrs/week to qualify for PT benefits. Working is actually a requirement for the program I am in. Oh...and the pay is crap so don't think you can survive on that for income...good luck! :)

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I work in a hospital in the admitting department. I do all the admissions so I get to learn a whole lot and speak to all of the different MD's. I worked 24-32 hours a week depending on school, and overtime during my breaks. It was great and now I have my foot in the door for a nursing job after I get my license (which I hope will be soon)

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Specializes in Perinatal.

i work per diem as a medical imaging assistant. the position doesn't give me any clinical experience, but it is at one of the best hospitals in the bay area. i'm hoping that by being an employee, it will help me when it's time to get a nursing position ;) i will only be working a few days a month once i start school, so it's definitely not a position that will help financially. i'm just thinking long-term! oh, and i do a lot of my clinicals there, so it will be nice already being familiar with the hospital.

~kristin

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I'm going into my senior year of a BSN program and was just hired as a VALOR intern at my local VA hospital. Full time hours in the summer, and per diem during the semester. The pay is excellent and is a huge shoe in for a RN job. Check out all the internships available to you once you complete your med-surg clinical.

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For anyone that's responded, how did you get a hold of the hospital position? Did you ask human resources? Is there certification required?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
For anyone that's responded, how did you get a hold of the hospital position? Did you ask human resources? Is there certification required?

For the VA, I had heard about the VALOR program through my college, and then contacted the nurse recruiter who sent me an application package.

I was offered internship positions at two other hospitals, for which I simply applied online and sent in my transcripts and recommendation letters.

There is no certification required to be a nursing intern at a hospital. If you want to pursue CNA work, you would have to take a course and become certified.

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Specializes in thoracic ICU, ortho/neuro, med/surg.

I am a full-time AUA and I will continue to work my schedule (nights/weekends, 12s) during nursing school (I start in August).

As far as how I got my hospital position, well, I have been working here for 3 years now. A friend of mine gave me a number of a clinical director whose floor could use help and I phoned her; I was persistent with calling her and I was given the position immediately after interview. I know a lot of places post positions online nowadays so it shouldn't be too hard to find one! For the job I do, yes, a certification is required.

As for a job adding experience... I am really glad I have worked as a tech before applying to nursing school. I have now worked both med/surg and ICU and I have a better idea of what kind of nursing I want to do... it's been really helpful.

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I am working as a NA in a hospital. Working full time during the summer, will drop to part time (12 to 24 hrs/week) during the school year. I am not certified, but have completed my first semester of the nursing part of my BSN program.

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Thanks for answers everyone!

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I work as a medical secretary at a doctor's office.It's not direct nursing experience of course, but it's nice because I get to learn different medical terms, abbreviations, etc. And I get to know a few doctors who work at different hospitals around my city, so once I graduate, they might be able to help me with getting a job or something :)

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

I work as a nursing assistant (about 15 hours a week) at the hospital my diploma school is associated with. I also work as a substitute teacher. I am in the evening program so I work during the day. I like substitute teaching because I make good money doing it, as well as it's super flexible. When I have an exam, I just don't take any job for that day and study.

I end up between the 2 jobs working full-time and going to school full-time but I don't have any children or husband. so I can do it :)

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