Is it possible to accept two positions. One as an SICU nurse and the other as an ER nurse?

PMFB-RN, RN · Sep 25, 2015

Yes, sure. Lots and lots of nurses do exactly that. However they tend to be highly experienced nurses who have near perfect control of their work and personal life.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 25, 2015

It's not a good idea to try to fulfill two separate FT jobs... because you would be unable to provide either employer with the level of commitment that is expected for a new grad. In order to get your career off to a good start, you need to be able to take advantage of learning opportunities as they arise. It wouldn't look good for you to turn down those "extras" because you had to hustle off to another job. It would be very negative, from a career advancement perspective.

If your primary motivation is to boost your income to pay off student loans, there are easier ways. Most organizations offer OT opportunities on a pretty regular basis. Once you have completed orientation, you'll be able to grab some of those shifts. Another option is to sign up for PRN work - with your employer's own internal 'staffing pool' (if they have one) or an outside agency. You will be in control of those work commitments.

I would also encourage you to take the time to analyze the impact of 'extra' pay on your tax burden. You may be absolutely shocked at the decreasing financial return on all that extra work.

Best of luck on your new job & launching your career!

jamisaurus · Sep 25, 2015

Talk about setting yourself up for failure as a new grad!

Wrench Party · Sep 25, 2015

As a new grad? NOPE.

Hmmm...methinks it would be easier for you to orient FT on SICU for awhile ( 6 months-1 year), then cruise around hospital websites and see if there are any part-time ED positions. Smaller hospitals may be more willing to cross-train you because of their lower levels of acuity (community vs. big Level 1 Trauma Center).

This is possible in my area; however they want you to have a few years of experience under your belt.

One or the other isn't going anywhere!

CCRNCMC11 · Sep 25, 2015

I did that as a new grad. I worked ft in icu and prn in ER at two different hospitals. Granted, I worked as a tech in an icu during school, I did 3 months of clinicals in the ER prior to graduating, and I am an EMT. So it can be done, but it was stressful at first and the learning curve is very high.

PMFB-RN, RN · Sep 26, 2015

As a new grad? NOPE.
Hmmm...methinks it would be easier for you to orient FT on SICU for awhile ( 6 months-1 year), then cruise around hospital websites and see if there are any part-time ED positions. Smaller hospitals may be more willing to cross-train you because of their lower levels of acuity (community vs. big Level 1 Trauma Center).
This is possible in my area; however they want you to have a few years of experience under your belt.
One or the other isn't going anywhere!

In my hospital experienced SICU nurses who want to cross train into ER get 3 or 4 days orientation. ER nurses who want to work in SICU go through the whole 6 month training program just like med-surg nurses.

sailornurse · Sep 26, 2015

Both would be FT. 3 days on for both with every other weekend. I think the concern of the schedules overlapping is what I'm considering. One has a 12week orientation and the other is variable...

3 twelve hours shifts for both? You know that 12 hours shifts can easily turn into 13 or 14 hour shifts very often. Are You are also assuming that you will do your 3 shifts in a row at hospital A then can go work at hospital B? Unlikely that there will not be schedule conflicts. Take the ice job, get the training, get your bearings, then try PRN at the other hospital.

OnlyHim · Sep 26, 2015

You guys are amazing! Thank you for your advice. Your comments really brought things into perspective for me. I will say that I just accepted the ER position! How easy would it be to transition into an ICU though?

PMFB-RN, RN · Sep 29, 2015

You guys are amazing! Thank you for your advice. Your comments really brought things into perspective for me. I will say that I just accepted the ER position! How easy would it be to transition into an ICU though?

Difficult transition. Like I said previously in my hospital ER nurses who want to work in ICU are trained right along with the new grads and med-surg nurses. ICU nurses going to ER are given 4 or 5 days orientation and then put on the schedule.