Suggestions needed.......

I guess you could try being a unit secretary - U learn many meds and you will learn to read orders.

pharmacy tech is another interesting job - u learn a lot about meds and infusions.

you can also be a phlebotomist - just draw blood.

How about an activity assistant in a LTC facility? I did that during nursing school. I had fun and it made me more comfortable interacting with the elderly, families, staff, dementia, and being in front of a crowd.

I also worked in medical records and it helped a lot with terminology, and I was always first to finish my patient research because I could detail a chart in my sleep!

You could be a PCA in patients homes.....the family or the patient trains you to do lots of things that are actually nursing tasks...such as personal care, helping with medication administration, g tube feedings.....it's whatever the family/atient wants to train you to do & if you are comfortable with doing it. That is in home care but not in a facility though if you were wondering....

Alot of hospitals offer nurse extern, or intern positions especially for nursing students, to get you the kind of experience to help you in the future, and they are willing to work around your school schedule, because it is a kind of cooperative.

I was a unit clerk while in nursing school but KellieNurse06's idea is good too. There are quite a few things you can do besides CNA. Go to your local hospital and ask at HR. See what's available. Or sign up with a local prn agency for aide work (PCA or HHA).

I was a waitress while I was in nursing school...I worked on weekends when the money was GOOD, and didn't have to work a lot of hours to make good money.

Good luck!

you may want to check the laws in your state, but here in washington, i have been a nurse tech for the past year in a long term care facility while going through the program. i qualified after my first quarter in my adn program, and basically just paid 70.00 for the license through the dept. of health. i have been passing meds and doing assessments since then, and it has helped me tremendously. the first few weeks were rough, because i wouldn't give any meds i didn't know, so i did a lot of research those first few weeks! but boy, has it paid off for me in my later quarters!

i just passed my lpn, and i'm in my 5th quarter. the experience has been priceless. i hope you find this is something you can do.

teresa