Top Jobs for Nursing Students

Are you in college with the hope of landing top jobs for nursing students? Well, attending nursing school requires a significant commitment, demanding considerable time, energy, and mental concentration to navigate the coursework successfully. While managing employment alongside nursing studies presents challenges, certain job roles can actually enhance your learning experience and bolster your prospects post-graduation.

Consider roles such as medical assistant, surgical tech, certified nursing assistant, or home health aide—each offering valuable hands-on experience and potential for skill development while you study.

This guide provides essential insights into the optimal jobs for nursing students. These positions not only facilitate accelerated learning but also offer competitive compensation, thereby improving your employability upon graduation.

Top Jobs for Nursing Students

Explore these top job opportunities during nursing school to pave the way for a rewarding career post-graduation.

Medical Scribe

A medical scribe is a crucial member of the healthcare team, aiding physicians in keeping patient records organized and updated. They diligently document patient-physician interactions in real-time, ensuring the accuracy of procedure and examination records. Through this role, medical scribes immerse themselves in medical terminology and gain insight into common medical procedures.

On average, medical scribes earn $30,100 annually, with approximately 9,300 such positions available in the United States. While a high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement, certification is preferred and typically takes up to one year to obtain. This is among the top jobs for nursing students.

Medical Interpreter or Translator

A medical interpreter or translator undergoes specialized training and must pass a language proficiency test to ensure mastery of the language they will use for interpreting tasks. Their responsibilities often involve assisting healthcare providers in conveying complex diagnoses and instructions regarding disease management.

These professionals play a crucial role in facilitating patients’ decision-making processes regarding their healthcare, ensuring comprehension of medication instructions, follow-up appointments, and addressing any queries effectively. Many medical interpreters operate remotely, facilitating patient-caregiver conversations over the phone.

On average, medical interpreters earn an annual salary of $49,110, with approximately 69,400 such positions available in the United States. Fluency in both languages and certification in medical interpretation are typically required for this role.

Surgical Technician

Surgical technicians have the unique opportunity to assist surgeons directly during procedures, working alongside them in the operating room. Their duties often involve meticulously preparing sterile instruments and passing them to the surgeon during the operation.

In addition to instrument handling, they may also perform tasks such as suctioning blood to enhance the surgeon’s visibility and providing traction by manipulating tissues or organs to optimize the surgical field.

Ensuring a sterile environment throughout the procedure is paramount for surgical technicians, requiring close attention to detail. They meticulously track every stitch, piece of gauze, and surgical tool used to prevent any foreign objects from being left inside the patient post-surgery.

With an average annual salary of $55,960, there are approximately 102,000 surgical technician positions available in the United States. Candidates typically pursue either a certificate or an associate’s degree to enter this field, along with specialized training and certification.

Sanitation Technician, One of The Top Jobs for Nursing Students

Sanitation technicians, also known as environmental services staff, play a vital role within the healthcare setting. Their responsibilities encompass ensuring that patient rooms are meticulously prepared for the arrival of the next individual requiring care, thus curbing the transmission of infections between patients and maintaining overall cleanliness and orderliness.

Their duties range from routine housekeeping tasks such as mopping, laundry, and waste disposal to employing specialized equipment that eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses. Additionally, sanitation technicians undergo specific training to safeguard themselves against needlestick injuries, exposure to bodily fluids, and hazardous chemicals.

With an average annual salary of $32,703, there are approximately 152,119 sanitation technician positions across the United States. While formal education or certification may not be mandatory, on-the-job training is typically provided for individuals entering this field.

Medical Assistant

A medical assistant plays a pivotal role in healthcare settings, typically within clinics or doctors’ offices, where they provide patient care and assist in maintaining the smooth operation of the facility.

Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of duties, including performing basic clinical tasks such as drawing blood and recording vital signs, as well as handling administrative tasks like managing billing and scheduling appointments.

For individuals aspiring to pursue a career in nursing, medical assisting offers valuable hands-on experience and exposure to various aspects of healthcare. Medical assistants gain insight into common health conditions, basic laboratory procedures, and essential bedside techniques.

With an average annual salary of $37,190, there are approximately 123,000 medical assistant positions available in the United States. While a high school diploma is typically the minimum requirement, obtaining medical assistant certification is preferred.

Certified Nursing Assistant

Certification programs can be completed in as little as four months, providing individuals with the necessary credentials for this role.

Certified nursing assistants are integral members of the healthcare workforce, commonly found in long-term care facilities and hospitals. Their primary role revolves around providing essential care to patients who require assistance with activities of daily living, such as toileting, oral hygiene, and meal consumption.

This profession entails substantial physical exertion, including lifting patients and handling bulky hospital equipment. In certain states, certified nursing assistants may receive additional training to perform tasks such as inserting IV catheters and assisting with sterile dressing changes.

Moreover, it’s worth noting the abundance of job opportunities for nursing assistants globally, offering avenues for skill enhancement and professional growth within the healthcare sector.

With an average annual salary of $30,310, there are approximately 220,200 open positions for certified nursing assistants in the United States. Certification is mandatory for this role, typically requiring completion of a certification program lasting between 4 to 12 weeks.

Phlebotomist

A phlebotomist is a healthcare professional who focuses on drawing blood samples for laboratory analysis. They typically work in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and outpatient centers.

To excel in their role, phlebotomists must master proper techniques to ensure the safety of patients and themselves, as well as the integrity of the collected samples by avoiding injury, infection, and contamination.

With an average annual salary of $37,380, there are approximately 21,500 phlebotomist positions in the United States. While a high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement, certification is preferred. Certification courses are available and can be completed in relatively short durations, some as brief as 30 hours.

Home health aide

Home health aides provide essential care to patients within the comfort of their own homes, assisting with fundamental tasks like bathing, grooming, and meal consumption. Additionally, they may undertake minor medical responsibilities such as changing basic bandages and monitoring vital signs during their interactions with patients.

Working autonomously, home health aides often operate without the presence of other healthcare professionals, necessitating sharp critical thinking abilities and the capability to respond effectively in emergency situations.

With an average annual salary of $29,620, there is a considerable demand for home health aides in the United States, with approximately 711,700 positions available. A high school diploma is typically the minimum educational requirement for entry into this field, with no formal certification necessary.

A monitor technician

A monitor technician is a specialized professional trained in interpreting heart rhythms displayed on monitors and identifying potential issues. While most medical facilities have alarm systems to signal emergencies, monitor technicians are equipped to detect subtle changes that could indicate a patient’s deterioration.

Their keen observation skills play a crucial role in averting emergencies by identifying early signs of irregular heart rhythms or fluctuations in vital signs. Additionally, monitor technicians may be tasked with directly supervising patients who are confused or agitated to prevent self-harm during their hospitalization.

With an average annual salary of $35,460, there are approximately 18,000 monitor technician positions in the United States. Ranked among the top jobs for nursing students, entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma, along with certification or an associate degree.

Dietitian Aide is one of the top jobs for nursing students 

A dietitian aide plays a vital role in ensuring the safe delivery of meals and snacks to hospitalized patients. Beyond practicing proper food handling to prevent illness, dietitian aides must also meticulously address various patient-specific considerations.

These aides carefully note each patient’s allergies and dietary requirements during their hospital stay. These dietary specifications may range from liquid-only or soft-food-only diets to restrictions on salt intake, fluid volume, calorie counts, and specialized diabetic diets.

With an average annual salary of $36,370, there are approximately 16,290 dietitian aide positions in the United States. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma.

By seizing these top jobs for nursing students, individuals can lay a solid foundation for a rewarding career path in healthcare.