2 part-time jobs vs. 1 full-time job

Sour Lemon · Aug 9, 2016

It sounds like a hassle, to me, although there are people who make it work. I do per diem in one hospital and float between a few different units. I wonder if that's something that might work for you? ...especially if you have experience in one (or both) of the areas you're interested in.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 9, 2016

Are they for the same hospital or different hospitals? That could be a big factor because if it is the same employer, they would have to pay you overtime every week. If they are in the same hospital ... has the administration agreed to do that?

What about holiday commitments? Most jobs of that nature (even part time ones) require some sort of holiday commitment -- maybe a weekend commitment -- work during a disaster commitment -- etc. Are the 2 employers willing to work together to coordinate their expectations so that you don't find yourself committed to working at both places over the same holiday or weekend?

What about day/night shift commitments? Again, are the 2 employers willing to work together to coordinate your schedule so that you don't have to work night shifts and days shifts too close together?

I have seen the 2 job thing work when one job is considered the "primary job" and the other is just an occasional shift schedule AFTER the primary job schedule is known. But I have not seen the particular type of arrangement you are envisioning work for very long due to the types of problems I've mentioned above. Each employer get irritated by the demands of your other job and eventually, something doesn't work well when each job expects the same high level of commitment from you.

Finally, there is a lot more to "benefits" than health insurance. Don't forget to consider all the benefits (e.g. retirement, paid vacation days, paid sick days, seniority, educational benefits, etc.) as you consider the effect it will have on you long term.

DesertSky, BSN · Aug 10, 2016

Are they for the same hospital or different hospitals? That could be a big factor because if it is the same employer, they would have to pay you overtime every week. If they are in the same hospital ... has the administration agreed to do that?
What about holiday commitments? Most jobs of that nature (even part time ones) require some sort of holiday commitment -- maybe a weekend commitment -- work during a disaster commitment -- etc. Are the 2 employers willing to work together to coordinate their expectations so that you don't find yourself committed to working at both places over the same holiday or weekend?
What about day/night shift commitments? Again, are the 2 employers willing to work together to coordinate your schedule so that you don't have to work night shifts and days shifts too close together?
I have seen the 2 job thing work when one job is considered the "primary job" and the other is just an occasional shift schedule AFTER the primary job schedule is known. But I have not seen the particular type of arrangement you are envisioning work for very long due to the types of problems I've mentioned above. Each employer get irritated by the demands of your other job and eventually, something doesn't work well when each job expects the same high level of commitment from you.
Finally, there is a lot more to "benefits" than health insurance. Don't forget to consider all the benefits (e.g. retirement, paid vacation days, paid sick days, seniority, educational benefits, etc.) as you consider the effect it will have on you long term.

Thank you for the perspective. You're right, there are other benefits than just health insurance to consider.

The jobs would be at different employers which would complicate matters...

DesertSky, BSN · Aug 10, 2016

It sounds like a hassle, to me, although there are people who make it work. I do per diem in one hospital and float between a few different units. I wonder if that's something that might work for you? ...especially if you have experience in one (or both) of the areas you're interested in.

Thanks for the idea. I currently work full-time in Surgical ICU, so perhaps I can look into picking some shifts in PACU at my current employer. I'm just not sure how they would feel if I went into overtime each week if I picked up extra in PACU, but it doesn't hurt to ask :)

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Aug 10, 2016

Each employer would have demands on your time for weekends, holidays, mandatory meetings, etc.

You would be viewed as a part-time employee in both facilities. They treat part -timers with MUCH less respect than full timers.

Experience in SICU more than qualifies you for PACU. Take it easy on yourself . 36 hours /week is enough for anyone to handle.

Best wishes. Let us know how it's going.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Aug 10, 2016

Doing part time, with casual elsewhere has worked best for me. There was a point when I did all weekends in my first job, and the second job knew about that commitment when they hired me, and were willing to work around it. Trying to get job #2 to accommodate a changing schedule would be frustrating for all involved.

cleback · Aug 10, 2016

I work two part time jobs (one hospital, one clinic). For the most part, it has worked out. I love the change of pace... I feel less burned out working forty hours in two spots rather than all forty in one. As far as career development, the hospital job will let me participate in extra activities. The clinic sometimes overlooks me for extra responsibilitis but honestly, there is less to do in the small clinic-- when something does come up, it's probably only fair to give it to full time staff. However, I have taken on projects of my own with my manager's blessing. If you are the type that gets antsy doing one thing or hates monotony, it could definitely work to your advantage.

HyzenthlayLPN · Aug 10, 2016

Before you take a part time job to supplement income or work two different jobs...take a look at your state's Worker's Compensation laws. I learned this the hard way. I was injured at my part time job and unable to work either job for two weeks. My Worker's Compensation payment was based only on the income from the job I was injured on!

emmy27 · Aug 10, 2016

Personally, if I was committing to constant overtime, I would want to be PAID overtime for it. Picking up the occasional PRN shift at a second job is one thing, especially given that you're usually paid a premium for those jobs, but two regular part time jobs sounds exhausting and financially not worth it. If you've got the experience to be hired part time for both positions, you've presumably got the experience to be hired PRN for them (or for float pool).

Multiple PRN jobs can work, especially if your finances can withstand the risk of not getting shifts at times. You usually get paid significantly more than FT or PT work, and in most PRN situations you are responsible for setting your own schedule and have few or no holiday weekend requirements, so the chances of both jobs expecting you to be there at the same time are much lower. The risk, of course, is that you aren't guaranteed hours and you're first on the chopping block to be sent home for low census, so it doesn't work if you MUST have full time hours to make the bills. But if you've got a cushion, it gives you a lot of flexibility and you can keep an iron in multiple fires, employer-wise.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2016

My mom worked every other weekend in a nursing home and 1 16 hour shift per week in private duty for many years. She loved it. It really works well for some people.

GM2RN · Aug 10, 2016

I agree with all comments here and think it would be near to impossible to manage under the circumstances you described.

I worked two jobs for several years, primarily because one full-time job at the hospitals I worked for didn't pay enough to cover my bills and student loans. I have worked two PRN jobs at one time--two different hospitals--and also one FT along with one PRN--also two different hospitals. Both ways worked out well for me and I was fortunate enough not to have any health issues at the time of both PRN jobs.

One PRN job was office related as an RN and I discovered that it really helped to do something completely different and away from the bedside while working 10-12 12-hr shifts in a row so I could make the income that I needed. I also enjoyed getting experience in some very different areas.

My recommendation would be to work FT in one area and pick up extra shifts at the same hospital in another area if at all possible. That way you can maximize your benefits. There shouldn't be any complaints about getting OT in the other area if they need the help and no one else wants the shifts.