Part-time/ PRN work for new RN???

[lylla7]

I've been lurking the forums for some time; very helpful! Need some advice please...

I enrolled in a "bridge" family nurse practitioner program (no flames, please) 2 years ago. I have finished all my didactic courses, and am currently completing clinical hours for the FNP portion.

In the meantime I want to work as a part-time RN, but I'm so discouraged because no hospital is willing to hire an inexperienced RN per diem (though I understand the reasoning). I just can't work full-time due to the hours I still need to complete my FNP program, but at the same time I want to utilize and augment my RN skills. I feel like I'm losing most of the skills I learned in the hospitals. Thoughts/ advice? I am considering other types of agencies as well, but unsure as to what they require.

Thanks so much for reading!

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Lylla,

No specific solution from me, but I wanted to wish you good luck in your search. I'm working full-time as a nurse, but it's only three 12's per week. I looked around for a place where I could put in maybe 1-2 extra shifts a week, but I've run into the same issues as you.

[NHavenRN]

okay, trying this for the third time (new computer has a few bugs!) so I might be a little more brief than i was at first...

my advice is to keep looking. Most of my classmates were able to get per diem jobs on postpartum, med/surg, and L&D - the only thing is they were all expected to orient full time over the summer. Luckily, I was offered a parttime job on a med/surg floor that allowed me to orient parttime over the spring semester, and I'll continue, working 2 12s/wk, through the last year of my NP program. So in conclusion: the jobs are out there, keep looking! and good luck!! :)

[Mission]

I was in a similar situation. I work full-time at the nursing school where I'm studying for my FNP which gives me free tuition but no clinical experience. Since I'm not so worried about the pay, I've been applying to community health centers and SNFs (well, the SNFs actually pay better than hospitals for pt/pd work). I was offered a per diem evening postion at a CHC and I'm waiting to hear back from one of the SNFs I applied to. The CHC job is actually great because I want to work at a CHC when I graduate and I'll be working primarily with FNPs.

[heartonfire]

As a former Nurse Recruiter for a major health center in our city, I can tell you that we would be very reluctant to hire you per diem as a new grad without experience.

You have not developed critical thinking skills that are essential to delivering care in an interdependant setting such as the acute care setting is. It would take forever to orient you on a part time or regular basis as well.

Most of our grads complete one year of critical care nursing before going on to higher proficiencies in their careers and I am frankly surprised that it was not required for you to do that prior to your education progression to a practitioner.

[DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

There is a girl that I graduated with that is working part part time as a new grad. I guess depends. But I wouldn't be surprised if they had you go full time for orientation. Good luck though. Hopefully you find something.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I gather you are in a direct entry FNP program? Was unsure of what a "bridge" program consisted of. However, with your RN, have you considered a hospital position full-time and then part time for the FNP program? Is that an option?

We don't have any of these program near where I live but I know they are becoming more popular - can you ask your college what they would suggest? Maybe they have an insider's list of facilities that might hire you now part-time as an RN, then have an FNP opening later?

Sorry - I don't have a more solid suggestion either. Good luck.

[texasrn9]

does it matter which area to pratice for at least a yr prior to applying for per diem jobs?