Combining Nursing with Other Full Time Job

[SirJohnny]

All:

- Do any of you work another full-time job in addition to nursing?

- I am currently a software-engineer (8AM-5PM weekdays).

- Will hospitals take new graduates for weekend work only? Can you get orientation on the weekends?

- I eventually would like to work in the ICU, and my understanding is there is a quite a big learning curve/orientation process involved in working this area.

- Would a hospital be willing to do such for a new graduate?

- Anyone here done this?

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Disclaimer: I am just getting into this field (taking A&P 102 this semester), so bear with me if this is an obvious question.

Thanks in advance,

John Coxey

[Going80INA55]

Good luck.

Most hopsital orietations are scheduled for 8 to 5 on M thru F. Generally the first week or more (one hospital in my area does almost 8 weeks) involves a lot of class room instruction, and as you might imagine, very few educators do weekends. (one of the perks of their job.)

However, after the initial in class training they may just put you on the floor with weekends only. It depends, I have never seen it done in my area of the country, but that don't mean it cant happen.

Yes, ICU is a big learning curve. If you get hired for the unit you can count on even more weekday class room training.

I don't know if nursing homes or rehab facilities are different.

Anyone out there know?

[kimmicoobug]

I don't know about your area, but in my hospital you start from the bottom and work your way up...kinda sucks. I oriented on days full time, then evenings and then nights. Now, I am working part time med-surg night shift. Not quite sure if I want to work elsewhere during my off time or go back to school...but am leaning on finding a clinic job part time or perdiem.

At our hospital, ICU has extensive orientation. You are working side by side with a nurse for at least six months before you are given a patient on your own. I imagine, that whatever hospital you work at will probably be similar with grads. I do think it is possible for you to be a nurse part-time and do your current job, but it is just getting past the orientation . Can you take a sabbatical from your current job upon graduation? They say the first year is the hardest....