If you need some extra money as a nursing student, check out my top suggestions on how to make money while in nursing school. There’s something for everyone here!
Are you looking for ways to make money while in nursing school? You are not alone!
Unfortunately, working to achieve your dreams doesn’t happen for free. In addition to paying to go to school, you need to pay for everyday living expenses and study materials too.
That’s why many nursing students find themselves struggling to make ends meet. However, with the right strategies, you can make money on the side and still have time to focus on your studies. This post will cover some of the best ways to make money while in nursing school so you can make the most of your time and finances.
Is it possible to work full-time while in nursing school?
Many prospective nursing students wonder if they can continue to work their full-time job and do nursing school at the same time. The answer is yes, but balancing full-time work and a full-time class load is challenging.
Is your full-time job flexible? Flexible hours will allow you to take classes when they’re offered (which can vary) and dedicate the necessary time to studying and completing clinical rotations.
What other commitments are you balancing? Working full-time and going to school full-time may be more difficult if you also juggle other major things, such as raising children. If the rest of your “plate” is too full to add in full-time nursing school, going part-time could be a great way to keep moving toward your new rewarding career without biting off more than you can chew at once.
How To Find Jobs While In Nursing School
Finding jobs is easier now than ever, thanks to the plethora of networking possibilities at our fingertips!
Many schools have job boards where you can find job listings on campus or nearby.
Many online resources for finding job openings include LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and more. Simply create an account, upload your resume (or CV), and browse through listings (or search for what you want).
Social media can also help connect you with job openings through word of mouth.
Finally, if you have services to offer, you can post those on sites like Fiverr or Upwork to help find clients. Keep reading to learn more!
How To Make Money While In Nursing School
Some nursing students continue to work their full-time jobs while attending nursing school. However, most students focus on going to school full-time and working part-time just to make ends meet as they try to begin their new careers as quickly as possible.
No matter your situation, here is a list of flexible jobs you can do to make money while in nursing school.
Healthcare Industry Jobs
This is an excellent option for nursing students who already work in another healthcare field or want additional experience while they go to school.
Work as a CNA
Certified nursing assistants help nurses in various clinical or hospital settings as an aide. It’s a terrific side job for nursing students because it provides on-the-job training and experience in working with patients.
Some of the same qualities that will help you in nursing (ex: patient care and communication skills) are also essential for CNAs, making this a great job for nursing students.
Teach CPR
As a nursing student, you have your CPR certification. If you took your knowledge to the next level and got certified as an instructor, you could teach students and make money simultaneously.
Work As A Phlebotomist
If you’re a nursing student who wants to further your skills, consider becoming a phlebotomist. This skill will come in handy as a nurse, and you’ll get patient care practice while you work and earn a good side income!
Service Jobs
These jobs are great for nursing students who want a brain break when they aren’t in class or studying.
Food delivery services (like Grubhub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats) and ride-hailing services (like Uber and Lyft) offer the ability to set your schedule. Many people doing these jobs make $20-$30 per hour.
Another option could be working at a customer service call center. Those are often work-from-home jobs, taking calls from customers who need help, and you can find these types of jobs in many industries. Work for Disney, Delta Airlines, or your local cable company!
Retail Jobs
Of course, working in a clothing store, specialty store, grocery store, or even Target is always possible! These are great because they’re often part-time jobs that give your brain a break and allow you to work around your class schedule.
Freelance Writing Or Editing
More and more people are enjoying the freedom of working from home thanks to jobs like freelance writing and editing.
Writing is great for those with a knack for writing and creativity, while editing is ideal for those who love reading and have an eye for grammar and punctuation. And you can tailor these to fit your interests, whether you work for bloggers, medical companies wanting help with their website, or anything in between.
Demand for these services is high, pay is good, and you can do as much or as little as your schedule allows. Put the word out on social media or check out websites like Upwork to help you start finding clients.
Virtual Assistant
If you have excellent organizational skills, are great at meeting deadlines, and can multi-task, you may enjoy working as a virtual assistant. All you need are a computer and a great internet connection to help complete various administrative and client-based tasks remotely.
Pay is often $20 – $30 per hour, depending on your skills and experience. Social media, Upwork, Fiverr, and online job boards are great places to find clients needing virtual assistants.
Tutoring
Whether you do it online or in person, tutoring is a great way to earn some money on the side and help you retain information while helping someone else succeed too! Although you can tutor in nursing, you don’t need to limit yourself to nursing subjects alone.
If you have a strength in any particular subject (ex: foreign language, math, or science), you can tutor students in high school, a local college, or a community college.
House Sitting Or Pet Sitting
Do you love pets? Many people prefer to pay a responsible and reliable person to come to their homes rather than putting their pets in kennels. Pet sitting and dog walking is great ways to make additional money while spending time with animals.
Before you start taking on pet-sitting jobs, take some time to research and figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. Then clearly communicate that to prospective clients so that you both make sure you’re a great fit for each other.
Another service you can provide is house-sitting, where you pick up the mail, collect the newspaper, put the trash out, and water the plants.
Open An Online Store
Whether you want to sell products you create to help fellow nursing students or make crafts to sell in your downtime, opening a shop on Etsy or Society6 is a great way to earn some side money.
Unique items such as handmade jewelry and art are always highly sought after. An online store may not be enough to pay all the bills at first, but every little bit helps!
With rising tuition costs, living expenses, and study materials, it’s often necessary to have some kind of income to manage your finances as a nursing student. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities available, and I hope these ideas helped direct you toward how to make money while in nursing school.
