Going from full-time to part-time for dream job for time being? Advice?

[newrnonthefloor]

I have been working as registered nurse full-time for two years on a medical/surgical unit, but it is more like a step down ICU in terms of acuity. I am good at my job and a resource on my unit. The bad thing is that my unit that I work on is constantly understaffed and unsafe, and there is always a lot of movement of nurses in the negative direction. I am one of the few senior nurses left (with only two years of experience under my belt), and it is usually me, a new grad and one LPN during backshift caring for 20 people which is honestly a lawsuit waiting to happen and I am tired of constantly feeling like my license is on the line. I love my manager and am constantly precepting new hires, and students but once they get out on their own they realize that this unit is not safe and tend to leave.

Anyways,

When I graduated from university I applied for a new grad job in dialysis (my dream job). I completed all my hours there as a student and fell in love with renal patients. Sadly the year I graduated they did not take any new grads. Months after the fact I spoke with one of the managers of the dialysis unit who basically told me to apply for everything since dialysis is hard to get into since if you don't have experience on the unit, or the eight week dialysis course since the majority of people applying typically have one of these before they'll look at the acute care experience, so it is hard to get into. I have been applying in the past but stopped since I never heard back and I felt content in my current position. As stated above I'm tired of feeling unsafe and think it is time to make a move for the better.

My dilemma is that there are currently two part time postings up for dialysis. I currently work full-time and am worried about my financial situation. Going part-time and gaining the RDU experience as well of the training course would put me in line for a full-time position, and there are a lot of nurses retiring from this unit (as I have been told by management) so chances are something will open. I have also started looking into picking up shifts on other units, as mentioned I am a strong RN and have a good relationship with management on the other floors so being orientated and having to pick up to full-time while in a (0.4FTE) is most likely if I apply for this position. I would have to pick up 4 shifts every two weeks to make it to full-time.

I'm just wondering what everyone else would suggest? Has anyone else picked up to full-time while in a part-time position? If I do get the part-time the unit would be willing to keep me once a full time spot opens since they would have invested the training program into me. I also plan to go back for my NP in the future and feel working days would be easier on me while going to school.

Just looking for some advice from some fellow nurses!

[scribblz, BSN, CNA, LPN]

It sounds like your current unit needs you more than you need them. You mentioned that you have a good relationship with your manager so it seems very likely they'll keep you on per diem. Your unit's problems are not your responsibility.

If you have the opportunity to further your career by branching out into dialysis, and you love caring for that population sounds like you should pursue it!

Best of luck to you ☺️

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Besides the money- please consider the impact on your benefit package on going PT.

[caliotter3]

14 minutes ago, meanmaryjean said:

Besides the money- please consider the impact on your benefit package on going PT.

Something to consider...

[NurseBlaq]

1 hour ago, scribblz said:

If you have the opportunity to further your career by branching out into dialysis, and you love caring for that population sounds like you should pursue it!

Agree with this. I would caution to be sure the hours are available to amount to full time before changing units. Maybe you can work something out with management so you can do part time on the dialysis unit and make up the difference on the other units, sort of like PRN but collectively enough hours to equate a full time schedule. You've done 2 years med-surg. Go for it!