10+ Best Side Jobs for Nursing Students
Nursing school is demanding and requires a huge time commitment.
However, many nursing students need extra income to cover tuition, books, and living expenses.
Finding a flexible side job that fits with your intense nursing program can be challenging.
This guide will explore some of the most popular and practical side jobs for nursing students.
Best Side Jobs for Nursing Students
1. Private Tutoring
Tutoring is one of the most flexible side jobs for nursing students.
You can set your own schedule, rates, and choose which subjects you want to tutor.
Nursing students tend to be very strong in biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and math — all common tutoring requests.
You may be able to tutor high school or college students in these subjects.
2. Freelance Writing
Nursing students tend to be great writers and researchers.
Try freelance writing for health websites, pharmaceutical/medical companies, or textbooks.
Writers are often needed to develop health-related content like:
- Articles
- Blog posts
- Patient education materials
- Website content
- Medical terminology lists
- Flashcards/quiz questions
This work can be done remotely during your free hours.
3. Babysitting
Babysitting is a classic, flexible side job for students.
Parents often need sitters during evenings and weekends when you are likely free.
You may even be able to study or work on assignments if the kids are asleep.
Pros of babysitting include:
- Work evenings or weekends when not in class
- Find jobs near campus for easy access
- Earn $15 – $20 per hour; more for multiple children
To find local babysitting jobs, create a profile on sites like Care.com. You can also market yourself to parent groups on Facebook or NextDoor.
Offer your services to parents in your nursing program who understand your challenging schedule.
4. Retail Jobs
Working part-time in retail can be a reliable option for steady, if low, income.
On-campus bookstores, coffee shops, and restaurants value part-time workers to fill evening and weekend shifts.
Off-campus pharmacies, grocery stores, and retail shops also often hire part-time help with flexible scheduling.
Consider jobs that offer:
- Employee discounts on food, books, clothes, etc.
- No late-night hours that interfere with school mornings
- Ability to study during downtime if permitted
- Close proximity to campus for easy access
Mall retailers like JCPenney, Macy’s or Dick’s Sporting Goods may offer part-time and seasonal opportunities.
Having some availability during the holidays can maximize income. Drawbacks are usually no health benefits and low pay around minimum wage.
5. Daycare/Nanny
Nursing students tend to excel in childcare roles with their patience, compassion, and medical knowledge.
Parents want caregivers they can trust to keep kids safe and handle minor injuries or illnesses.
6. Peer Notetaker
Many nursing students have solid incomes being peer notetakers for students with disabilities.
Schools pay peer notetakers to attend class and take highly detailed notes for students unable to do so themselves.
8. Clinical Research Assistant
Work at a university research lab, pharmaceutical company, or private research firm assisting with health studies, clinical trials, and data analysis.
Research assistants:
- Conduct literature reviews
- Recruit participants
- Collect and process lab specimens
- Coordinate study activities
- Manage data
- Complete documentation
- Perform other tasks to support studies.
9. Medical Billing and Coding
Medical billers and coders are in high demand in doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals.
These administrative roles don’t require patient care. Duties include:
- Submitting insurance claims and payments
- Coding diagnoses and procedures properly
- Following up on unpaid claims
- Updating patient medical records
- Ensuring accuracy for maximum reimbursement
10. Nursing Assistant or Aide
Working as a nursing assistant or aide provides direct patient care experience.
Seek part-time work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, hospice, dialysis centers, blood donation clinics, doctor’s offices, or nursing homes.
Typical duties include:
- Helping patients with activities of daily living
- Monitoring vital signs
- Documenting intake and output
- Collecting lab specimens
- Assisting nurses with procedures
- Feeding patients, bathing, dressing, grooming
11. Start a Blog
If you enjoy writing, start a nursing blog and earn advertising income. Share experiences from nursing school and clinical rotations.
Provide tips for applying, studying, balancing life and school, choosing specialties, interviewing, and more.
Promote your blog content on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Monetize the blog through Google AdSense, affiliate links, sponsored posts, online courses, virtual summits, or eBooks.
12. Sell Creative Work on Etsy
Tap into your creative talent to make extra cash on Etsy.
Sell nursing-inspired artwork, prints, t-shirts, masks, mugs, jewelry, bags, pins, stationery, planners, and more.
Expand beyond arts and crafts to offer digital downloads like wallpapers, invitations, certificates, planner stickers, or motivational desktop backgrounds for computers.
Your nursing knowledge gives you an edge creating unique products nursing students will love.
13. Work as a Virtual Assistant
Use your administrative skills to work from your laptop as a virtual assistant.
Provide clerical support like data entry, email management, appointment scheduling, writing, social media upkeep, and other project-based tasks for busy professionals.
14. Lyft or Uber Driver
Driving for Uber allows you to control your schedule. Decide when you’re free to give rides and earn extra cash without a commitment.
Depending on how busy you are you could study between rides!
15. Instacart Driver
Work on your own time shopping and delivering groceries through Instacart. Choose which orders to take based on items, mileage, and payout.
You could easily listen to lectures while you’re out shopping and delivering orders.
16. Work as a Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists collect patient blood samples and are in high demand at hospitals and labs. Your primary activity will consist of drawing blood on patients.
Other Options to Earn Side Money
Here are a few more ideas for part-time work that offer flexibility:
- Yoga or fitness instructor – Teach evening or weekend group fitness classes.
- Pet/house sitter – Stay in clients’ homes and care for pets while they travel.
- Online reselling – Sell gently used clothing, shoes, books, electronics, etc. on sites like eBay or Poshmark.
- Donating plasma – Donate lifesaving plasma on your schedule.
- Participate in clinical trials – Get paid for participating in health research studies.
Why Nursing Students May Need Side Income
- Tuition and educational expenses – Nursing degrees are expensive. Side income helps cover tuition payments, books, uniforms, and supplies.
- Living expenses – Rent, groceries, transportation, and other bills need to be paid even while in school.
- Avoid too much student loan debt – Working reduces how much you’ll need to borrow.
- Gain work experience – Some side jobs provide valuable experience in healthcare settings.
- Extra spending money – A side job provides money for going out and other entertainment.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Side Job
Flexible Schedule
- Accommodates changing school schedule every semester
- Able to get time off for exams, clinical rotations, etc.
- Can adjust work hours week-to-week
Limited Hours
- Most nursing programs recommend working no more than 15-20 hours per week
- Prioritize school and avoid burnout
Work-Life Balance
- Avoid side jobs with overnight hours that disrupt sleep
- Make sure you still have time for schoolwork, commuting, class, studying, family, etc.
Stress Level
- Some medical or caregiving jobs may be emotionally draining
- Seek low-stress jobs that won’t add too much strain
Location
- On or near campus is ideal for limited free time
- Remote work allows you to fit in studying during downtime
Pay Rate
- Seek jobs that offer more than minimum wage.
- Compare pay to time commitment and difficulty of duties
Relevant Experience
- Look for side jobs in healthcare settings
- Patient care experience is especially valuable
Consider an On-Campus Job
Don’t overlook opportunities right on your nursing school campus for side jobs.
On-campus positions tend to offer maximum flexibility for busy nursing students. Potential jobs include:
- Library assistant
- Computer lab aide
- Learning assistant in nursing skills lab
- Clinical group leader/preceptor
- Admissions office helper
- Research assistant for nursing faculty
- Graduate assistant/teaching assistant
- Wellness center employee
- Tutoring through Academic Success Center
- Note-taker for students with disabilities
- Resident assistant in dorms
Monitor the student employment portal to apply for these types of openings each semester.
On-campus jobs understand scheduling conflicts and last-minute changes. Working on campus also eliminates travel time.
Choosing the Best Side Job Strategy for You
The ideal side job offers a balance between good pay, flexibility, and valuable experience to boost your nursing skills.
Think about your priorities, strengths, and desired workload. It may make sense to have multiple side jobs each week.
For example:
- Babysit weekends for extra cash.
- Work as a nursing aide 1-2 evenings for patient care experience.
- Tutor a few hours a week for the highest hourly pay.
Also prepare for side job needs to change each semester based on your nursing program schedule.
Don’t be afraid to resign from any side job that ultimately interferes too much with your rigorous nursing curriculum and success.
Final Tips for Managing a Side Job in Nursing School
Finding the ideal side job takes experimentation. Here are some final tips for managing a successful side job as a busy nursing student:
- Talk with other nursing students about their side jobs for ideas.
- Research options early and apply well in advance of each semester.
- Look for weekday evening or weekend positions when course loads are lighter.
- Be upfront about your full-time daytime nursing program when interviewing.
- Use a planner to meticulously block out study, class, clinical, work and free time.
- Set firm boundaries with employers when school demands increase.
- Don’t be afraid to quit a side job that proves overly draining. Your education comes first!
- Have some emergency funds available in case you need to temporarily reduce your side job hours.
- Get enough sleep every night to stay healthy under your demanding schedule.
- Take good care of yourself! Make time for fun and self-care activities so you avoid burnout.
