Side jobs...

Luchador, CNA, EMT-B · Nov 15, 2018

I see you are a CNA. I work for two agencies. One pays 18/hour and the other pays 14/hour (plus mileage). They are desperate and would have me working 60 hours a week if I could. Instead I just take some weekend shifts when I want to.

But beware. If you can't say "no" they will work you until you fall down.

TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN · Nov 15, 2018

The hard part for any job is going to be the "when I get a chance" part.

Your best bet is going to either be to find a PRN aide job, but their existence depends on your area, or maybe find a restaurant willing to let you be a server.

Realistically, you're going to need to commit to a schedule, and won't be able to just say "I feel like working tonight." Even just keying stuff in, it's going to take some effort on your end to get started, but it's going to be extremely hard to sustain it if you have to reject work because you don't feel like doing it. Either you have a job or you don't. It's just not realistic to have something in between where you only work when you get some free time. If that was realistic, we'd all be doing it.

angel0309, ADN, RN · Nov 16, 2018

There is an online call center called LiveOps. They contract for many different companies, like AAA, Intuit (TurboTax), Honk (Roadside Assistance), Omaha Steaks, and many many others. Basically you're either a salesperson or a customer service agent for whatever company you contract for. Each company has a different weekly minimum number of hours you have to work, but you schedule yourself in 30 minute blocks. There's even a "general" line where you take orders for infomercial-type products and there is no weekly minimum that you have to work. You can work whenever you want in 30 minute intervals.

The only caveat is that you're an independent contractor (aka taxes are NOT taken directly out of your check). Therefore, you have to set aside money out of each paycheck to make sure you have it when Uncle Sam comes knocking at your door LOL. Also, not every state allows this type of work, as I understand, so there are some states that you can't work for them. I have had great success with them (as have many other people in my family). My dad made a living off of this for many months a few years back when he was between jobs. My grandmother still works for them and supports herself solely on LiveOps. I'd definitely look into it!

Luchador, CNA, EMT-B · Nov 16, 2018

Seriously, if your are a CNA and don't mind wiping asses just get a hold of an agency. They are desperate. PM me and I will tell you the two I work for. They send people from one state to work in another if need be. They call me all the time to work and if I don't want to I just don't answer the phone.

It's really that easy.

You don't need to fuss with signing on to some place as PRN or whatever. Just get on board with some mercenary agency. Call them if you want to work. Answer the phone if you want to work.

If you don't they have a massive stable of people that will. But they will call you all the time. They will pressure you to work. When I show up and make 18 bucks an hour they are making 55 dollars an hour off of me. So if you can't say "no" these agency culos are not for you.

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 16, 2018

If you're okay w/ working in a non-related healthcare role, just try various temp agencies. The only problem is, is may not be very steady. I was once at a temp agency that would call for 1-2 day jobs where it was simple tasks such as being a server at a breakfast serving drinks (oj, milk, coffee) at some conference. They also had another one w/ a realtor just needed help answering the phone on a weekend for 5 hours a day. Nothing fancy, but it was cash in my pocket.

aWiiPeanut, ADN · Nov 16, 2018

Luchador, I had not previously considered agency work only because I know the place that I worked did not treat agency workers very well and it was a deterrent to signing on with an agency. Maybe this was their tactic, who knows. It is something that I will consider, though. I have 3 weeks left of school and can research local agencies after finals are DONE! Lol $18/hr is also tempting...and I don't mind wiping butts, its all the same after awhile =) Thank you!!

Tonyl1234, yes it is more difficult to find those types of jobs, but I do know they exist. That's why I was asking for some direction since I don't have much experience in that area. And it isn't about rejecting work because i don't feel like doing it... it has to do with studying for exams and finishing a day earlier than expected or you read all the chapters for the week already and finished your assignments and you have a half a day or even 2 days (i wish) to make some cash. On the flip side, I may also underestimate the content for my reading for the week and barely finish in time. You just never know. This is why I'm trying to find some sort of balance between the two. Realistically, school is my priority and I don't want school to suffer because I've committed to work and I don't want to have to cancel a shift because I have 12 chapters to read in a weekend, because that isn't fair to the employer.

Angel0309, that is fascinating! I had not heard of this line of work before. I do like the blocked time aspect; I will def look into this! Thank you!!

Mergirl, I didn't even realize that temp agencies had weekend or daily shift jobs ( I thought it was more a few months at a time). This is good to know! Thanks!

Thank you so much to everyone that responded, its given me a lot to consider and has opened my eyes to the possibilities! =)

Have a great weekend!