How many of you work two jobs?

catlynLPN · Nov 15, 2007

I work 2 jobs. I'm single, and have no children at home, so it's working okay for me.

My primary job is 4 days per week, 10 hours per day.

So I have 3 days off every week from that job.

Then I work at a LTC an average of 2 days per week.

It has padded my bank account tremendously.

Of course, Uncle Sam will come a-knocking, but I STILL come out ahead after he takes a huge bite.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 15, 2007

I work full time (Monday-Friday days) for a hospital doing staff development and a few management projects. For a second job, I teach a course at a local university. While I enjoy my 2nd job, and I hope the experience will open doors for part-time employment down the road that will help me ease into retirement when I can no longer handle the stress of my full time one ... I am not making any money at my part time job. I also don't enjoy having to spend time most evenings and EVERY weekend working on my course. I am getting very burned out and longing for January, when I will actually be able to have my evenings and weekends free. I haven't had a weekend off since September and that is starting to be very stressful.

As for the money, I am making very little once you consider the many hours the job requires. Also, I will have to use vacation time to grade all the class papers in order to submit their grades on time. Once you have deducted the taxes ... then taken the value of the vacation time I have to use (which I could cash in for cash) into consideration ... there is not very much left that is actual "profit." But as I said, I am not doing it so much for the cash now as I am for the experience that may give more job opportunities later.

Have you considered picking up a few extra shifts with your regular employer? Sometimes that is a much better option to earn extra cash as you can sometimes get paid more per hour if they are above and beyond your normally scheduled shifts. Fewer extra hours worked, but more money sounds really good to me. You may also qualify for more vacation time, sick time, retirement matching, etc. by working a few extra shifts for your current employer. Don't forget that those benefits have monetary value that helps your overall financial status. Also, you get the advantage of being seen by the management as helping out by working those extra shifts. That positive reputation with your supervisors might bring better performance evals, promotions, positive recommendations for future jobs, etc. that could pay off big time later. In other words, you might get "more bang for your investment" that way. Whether that is true or not for you depends on the specifics of the situation.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 15, 2007

I currently work three. That's down from four; I gave one up not too long ago.

I'm a FNP with a Master's degree, so none of the jobs are working as a staff nurse. That's the only way I can do it. My jobs tend to be more mentally strenuous than physically.

As for why, well, it started as a way to get out of some financial difficulties. Now that's basically done, so I'm continuing on two extra jobs for the same reasons you cited.

I worked 7 days a week for over a year. I've had people ask "how on earth do you do that?" My answer was always that you do what you have to do.

I'd say, give it a try. If it doesn't work well then you don't have to keep doing it. I would suggest that you not get your second income tied up with anything like vehicle payments, so that if you don't want to do it or whatever, you're not stuck with it.

incublissRN, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2007

I work in cardiac recovery. I don't work a second job but I pick up extra shifts in ICU when they need help. It broadens my skills and the bonus pay is nice. Plus, I'm not committed to anything so I only do it when needed.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 15, 2007

I work in cardiac recovery. I don't work a second job but I pick up extra shifts in ICU when they need help. It broadens my skills and the bonus pay is nice. Plus, I'm not committed to anything so I only do it when needed.

That sounds really smart to me.

Nursebarebari · Nov 15, 2007

I have only one full time job, but 1 work OT at least one shift (12hrs) a week, occasionally I do two shifts. The financial rewad is time and half the regular which is not bad at all.

gerry79 · Nov 15, 2007

I work 3 twelves and have 4 days off. I pick up extra shifts at my facility at time a three quarters. No facility would ever pay as much as I make picking up extra shifts at my hospital. And yes the tax man takes his pound of flesh from me every week (average $500.00 a week in taxes!).

IIIseeyaa · Nov 15, 2007

I work three jobs, one is fulltime 12 hour shifts three days a week, including one night, plus two agency prn jobs, which keeps me very busy and gives me plenty of sixteen hour shifts. plus I am also in school for RN to BSN. I have no life at the moment, but am loving it.