Can you work part time as a graduate nurse?

H60Medic · Aug 21, 2005

Most certainly! I just got my license last month and will be starting an ER job tomorrow at 20 hours a week. After a year I am going PRN with them.

Will hospitals hire a new grad part-time or PRN?
I don't graduate until next April but I've been wondering.
Thanks in advance if anyone knows about this! :)

mitchsmom · Aug 21, 2005

Most certainly! I just got my license last month and will be starting an ER job tomorrow at 20 hours a week. After a year I am going PRN with them.

So they don't mind having to orient you and all that and then you just work part-time?

That's good to hear if so... I would REALLY like to be part-time for a while, until my kids are older (one of my kids in particular is very high needs, as is my husband

H60Medic · Aug 22, 2005

I will need to bust out my orientation time, 160 hrs as quickly as I can, but they do not mind the part-time status.

So they don't mind having to orient you and all that and then you just work part-time?
That's good to hear if so... I would REALLY like to be part-time for a while, until my kids are older (one of my kids in particular is very high needs, as is my husband

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Aug 22, 2005

some places want you to orientate full time, but when you get off orientation they will let you work part time or PRN. Hope this helps...

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 22, 2005

Orientation, to be effective, should be fulltime. I have seen it done the other way and it takes a LONG time and is not nearly as effective. You have to DO to LEARN, simple as that.

Now, after orienting, you can work whatever hours you prefer, particularly if you are per diem. Good luck.

mitchsmom · Aug 22, 2005

Thanks for the info! Orienting full time would probably be doable.

acgemt · Aug 22, 2005

Interesting question...I am sure that there are places that allow part time work for new grads. I am a new grad and am in my 6th week of orientation in a ER. Thinking to your question though, I can honestly say that I would definitely recommend working fulltim at least a little while out of orientation. I am not sure what your situation or schedule is like. I just think that the knowledge of protocols and procedures and clinical skills will be much easier to remember when you are working more hours...especially being a new grad there is soooo much to learn. I hope this helps and good luck to you in the future!!!

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Aug 23, 2005

Hi!

I do think that ORIENTATING full time helps... it did me. But I'll tell you what... working full time for the first full year was a real shock to me. I really missed my family and I didn't enjoy the flexibility that working PRN or part time can have. Now, I work 3/4 time. I like it much better, and I still feel like I am at work "all the time." :-)

I think that most new nurses want to use their licenses. As long as they have frequent and continuing opportunities to practice, I don't think that full time beyond orientation is a "must."

Many great nurses only work part time or PRN after graduating. I say go for it... a happy nurse is a good nurse!!!

rn/writer, RN · Aug 23, 2005

I am orienting on the .6 FTE schedule that I will be working. Full time would have gotten me up and running a mite quicker, but what I like about this pace is that I have some time to reflect, absorb and read about what I'm doing. I often jot down quick notes while I'm working, or I cross out the names and take my patient "cheat sheet" home and look up anything that isn't familiar.

This gives me a great opportunity to balance theory and application.

Might not work for everyone but I like it.

Miranda