New RN: Per Diem While Full Time

[MissRis13]

Hello Friends!

I am a relatively new nurse and began my career in a high-acuity ICU at a large medical center. I love my job, and my unit. Unfortunately, the hospital is far from my home and my commute is about 1.5 hours- one way. Moving is not an option for me at this time and I am not interested in changing my full time job to a closer location.

I would like to make some extra money, but overtime at my current position is a lot to consider because of the lengthy commute. I don't want to leave my current job, but would like to to pick up a per-diem job at a closer hospital. There are a few smaller, community hospitals that are close by and are looking for per-diem nurses in their ICU's. Unfortunately, I have only been off of orientation for about 6 months now. This means I have about 6 months of independent ICU nursing under my belt. I did, however, work in health care outside of the hospital setting for several years in EMS.

Is it unreasonable to begin applying for per-diem positions at this point?

Thanks for your input!

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

You'll be better served with a full year, but some places are pretty desperate and will take anything they can get. Especially if they are lower-acuity hospitals and you have high acuity experience. I got hired for a PRN job when I had nine months of experience under my belt. It's not impossible.

[Emergent, RN]

I advise you to do it. It's a perfect way to get your foot in the door. In a couple of years you may very well want to work close to home.

6 months in a high acuity ICU is hard core experience, and a Per Diem job in a smaller place will only add to it.

It's really nice to have a PRN job in your back pocket. My hospital seems to be going in the wrong direction, then my beloved manager quit. The next day I had a job at my Per Diem place, and I'll stay PRN where I work now.

[VANurse2010]

Go for it; your experience in a large-hospital iCU will serve you well. Are you at a teaching hospital? Do you work a lot with interns and residents?

I ask those questions because one thing to consider about moving to a community hospital is that it requires more independent assessment and judgment. You may not always have a doctor (even if it's only an intern) right here the way you would in a teaching hospital. Some more discretion with paging/notification is usually required, because the attendings in a community hospital do not want to get FYI pages every 5 minutes because the patient passes gas (I'm exaggerating to illustrate a point, but hopefully you catch my drift). You may also find that some tasks that get dumped on interns and residents in a large medical center become the nurses' responsibility at a community hospital.

Again, go for it, but consider the change in environment.

[Jules A, MSN]

Although it was in psych I started a PRN job right out of school. I have always had a job with benefits and a prn gig. Love it and wouldn't change a thing. The different ways of doing things both good and bad that you will learn from different environments will really enhance your skills.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I admire your stamina at even contemplating taking on a second job. 12 hour shifts plus three hours of driving would have me knocked to the couch on my days off.

Most hospitals look for at least a year's experience in ICU for per diem staff. Just be aware also about what the minimum amount of time you would need to work.