Can a new grad work part time?

[KimberRN]

I just started my first job as an RN full time. I feel like my family (baby and husband) is suffering from the long hours. I was wondering if anyone knows if new grads can work part time? Maybe one or two 12's/wk instead of three and four. What do you guys think? I am seriously considering quitting altogether if I can't have fewer hours. Thanks!

[hllybenn]

I am sure every hospital is unique so check with yours but we have had a few Gn/nwe RNS work part time (in school, family comittment, etc.)

Good luck!

[Kudra]

i'm a relatively new grad who works PT... i'm doing a Critical Care course and needed to cut back from my FT position in order to have time to study... i get plenty of callback shifts and most of them are for overtime, so in the long run i'm making just as much working PT as i was FT... plus, i have more time off... it's great!

i love working PT... i don't see it as being detrimental in any way in my nursing career... when i'm at work, i'm still getting excellent experience... i don't feel like i'm being "left behind" in respect to the experience other new grads are getting... is this what you're worrying about? or is there some difference between Canada and the US where US employers want all their new grads to work FT?

you'll have years ahead of you to build your nursing career... but your child is only young once... taking some time for your family first doesn't mean that you've put your nursing career offtrack...

[RNKPCE]

On my unit on pm's we don't have a single full time RN. Most are 4/5, the rest are 7/10-3/5 with a few 2/5 and then per diem. The most I ever worked before kids was 4/5. Now I work significantly less. I think you need 4/5 for at least the first 3 months to really get a running start as a new grad, but then I think it would be okay to cut down.

[breastfeedingRN]

i work PT as a new grad. i work 2 12s a week and it is perfect. i do weekends so my DH can watch our daughter.