Best way to keep skills active?

[Disneygirlrn]

Hey everyone,

New member here so Hi!!

I work for the clinical research division as a civilian with the government. Our unit utilizes swine and other animals for research to help us further the knowledge and understanding of various medical techniques, specifically trauma care, in hopes that we may pass new and better information on to the wonderful nurses and other medical divisions.

I am an RN and have been since Dec of 2011. I began working at the research facility a few months later. So other than my internships/school, I have never worked in a "human" patient environment.

Over the last few weeks I have had a strong urge to do some volunteer work as a nurse so I can maintain my skills with patients. Not to mention to have that patient/nurse connection. I work 4AM-2PM M-F at my research facility. Does anyone know of a great place to start. Maybe even a place that could be very forgiving with a schedule?

Thanks so much and feel free to ask questions. Have a great weekend.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Volunteering isn't going to provide you with a skill set, unless you consider passing water pitchers and greeting patients as skills.

I think a PRN position will provide you with the repertoire of skills you are seeking. I have a friend who works Monday through Friday at a desk job as an RN state surveyor. Every Friday night she works a PRN 12-hour shift as a floor nurse. She earns $500 per shift due to the increased PRN pay rate plus the night shift differential.

You might be saying, "But I work during the day on Friday. I can't possibly work Friday nights!" My friend works half a day at her desk job on Fridays, goes home, takes a four-hour nap, and survives her one night per week.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Dranger]

No acute care job will hire a PRN unless they have experience. You need to do a residency and the schedule won't be forgiving. I don't know anything about outpatient.

Sounds like a cool job by the way.

[advsmuch08]

Perhaps volunteering with a free clinic? I'm not sure what they'd want in terms of previous nursing experience though.