Is it hard to get a part time job at a hospital as an RN

Published

I am going to nursing school right now. I also work full time. I would like to work part time as an RN when I finish school. I want to become a nurse because I like the idea of working in the ER, but still want to do my current job. Is it possible to work part time at a hospital as an RN? I would think they would rather hire full time people.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I had no trouble whatsoever finding a part time RN job. However, there are only a handful on part time RN's where I work. Per diem sounds perfect for your situation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a new nurse with ZERO experience and just recently got an offer working part-time (with more hours promised thought since I want to work more) in a hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

It's possible, but you might have fewer choices with exactly where and when you work -- especially in your first year after graduation. A lot of hospitals prefer that new grads work full time for at least a few months to complete their special new grad orientation program and successfully transition from student to staff nurse. After you make that transition with a little experience under your belt, then there are usually many opportunities for part time employment.

But right out of school ... you might find that your options are limited if you only consider the part time possibilities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I'm not sure I understand....you're going to nursing school but would prefer to keep your current full-time job after you become an RN? If I'm understanding you correctly, I'm afraid that you're taking on alot of hard work for a part-time position.

I don't know where you are in nursing school (pre-reqs, clinicals, etc) but I would guess that you will eventually find that nursing school will occupy a tremendous amount of your time and energy. As will/should your first position as an RN. Nursing is a career that requires dedication. Otherwise, some of us wouldn't have made it through school and the first difficult few years ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm not sure I understand....you're going to nursing school but would prefer to keep your current full-time job after you become an RN? If I'm understanding you correctly, I'm afraid that you're taking on alot of hard work for a part-time position.

I don't know where you are in nursing school (pre-reqs, clinicals, etc) but I would guess that you will eventually find that nursing school will occupy a tremendous amount of your time and energy. As will/should your first position as an RN. Nursing is a career that requires dedication. Otherwise, some of us wouldn't have made it through school and the first difficult few years ;)

I know lots of nurses who have only worked part time in their career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"I know lots of nurses who have only worked part time in their career. "

Part-time nursing plus another full-time job? I'd be surprised to hear of that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't want to leave my full-time job when I graduate, either! I LOVE working as a LPN in assisted living. I'm able to be the kind of nurse I want to be. I am very independent, able to provide the kind of holistic care that I want to, and enjoy getting to know my "patients". I am in my third semester of RN school and know I need to gain hospital experience because I want to continue on toward my nurse practitioner doctorate. I want to stay in geriatrics though, and dream of being a nurse practitioner for different facilities like the one I work at (and including it). I'd like to stay full-time, or at least 32 hours, where I am, then work part-time in a hospital when I graduate. We never know until we try! I can't believe the way things have worked out and continue to, wouldn't have imagined it two years ago!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm not sure I understand....you're going to nursing school but would prefer to keep your current full-time job after you become an RN? If I'm understanding you correctly, I'm afraid that you're taking on alot of hard work for a part-time position.

I don't know where you are in nursing school (pre-reqs, clinicals, etc) but I would guess that you will eventually find that nursing school will occupy a tremendous amount of your time and energy. As will/should your first position as an RN. Nursing is a career that requires dedication. Otherwise, some of us wouldn't have made it through school and the first difficult few years ;)

I own a small business but get zero personal satisfaction out of it. It is also a very unstable profession. I could lose all clients tomorrow. I want to nurse part time for job satisfaction and also have the ability to get a full time job if my business goes under.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know lots of people that have ONLY worked full time ever. But most of them started out in a different ecomony. Right now I think in my particular area I think you might have an even better chance at a part time then a full time job. There are no ads for full time RN but TONS of them for part time with one year experience preferred but I know they have also been hiring new people. Part time employees are cheaper, no benies. As far as the above post goes I am not sure how working part time equals not dedicated?? Seems kinda judgemental to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

op: to answer your question, it will depend on the facility. at my facility new grads must start off ft. pt positions (also knows as per diem) are only offered to experienced nurses for the obvious reason that they do not need an extended expensive orientation unlike new grads. this is also why many places are not hiring new grads at this time. for example, my er will not take new grads any time in the near future. even the techs who worked for my department for years are being told to find a job someplace else when they pass their nclex. thus, it is a very good idea that you keep your day job... especially if you end up graduating in this economic environment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

" As far as the above post goes I am not sure how working part time equals not dedicated?? Seems kinda judgemental to me. "Sorry about that. I worded it poorly. I guess I should have said that in my opinion/experience, a brand new nurse most likely needs to dedicate all of her time and energy to her career.I certainly didn't mean to imply that part-time nurses were less than dedicated in their jobs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion