Is this a reasonable expectation?

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 26, 2018

Not reasonable as a new grad. Yes, you might be the exception to the rule and get lucky ... but most good hospitals prefer (and may require) new grads to work full time for a while to make the transition from student to professional. That transition period of orientation and beyond is critical to the launch of a successful career -- and good hospitals know that new grads who try to skimp on it suffer. The want the new grad to be successful and will therefore want a full time commitment from the new grads they hire to increase their chances of success.

Of course, everything depends on the city you work in as conditions vary from place to place. Investigate the job market for new grads thoroughly before assuming that you will be able to get exactly what you want.

Sour Lemon · Jul 26, 2018

I am considering going back to school for nursing. Currently I am a SAHM of 5 kids and homeschooling 3 of them. I previously was a Licenced Vet Tech and miss being in medicine/patient care.
My dilemma is that I do not want to go full time as my husband and I still want the kids to continue with homeschooling.
As a new grad looking at a hospital is it reasonable to hope for a night/weekend part time position or are these harder to come by as they have higher pay with the shift differential?
Thank for any input

You can hope for anything, but that would be unusual for a new graduate. The PRN position I have requires 2-5 years minimum, full time experience.

As a new grad, you may be able to request to work more week end days, though. When I worked full time, I worked a disproportionate number of weekends because I wanted to and my co-workers wanted them off.

Night positions are typically easier to come by than day ones ...but they're usually 12 hour shifts. 7-7 is the most common. I've also heard of 6-6. Nursing homes and psychiatric facilities seem to be the only places with 8 hour night shifts, at least in my area.

Another thing to consider as PRN staff is that you will typically be the first one canceled when the census is low. You'll also be the first to float to a different unit. It's not a great option unless you don't need a reliable income. I've been canceled for two months straight during slow times.

Wuzzie · Jul 26, 2018

Everything llg said plus I'm not sure you have a clear idea of just how hard the work or night shift is. I know home schooling allows for a certain amount of flexibility but you're going to be exhausted!

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jul 26, 2018

Most new grads will be required start out on working night shifts. Many people do not want to give up all of their weekends despite the pay. You may have an easier time getting a weekends only position.

cleback · Jul 26, 2018

Depends on your area. Nights are easy to come by in mine. Weekend programs are not. Also depends on how part time you need. You could probably find a 0.8fte (32 hrs a week). I started off at 28 hrs per week. Other nurses I know started at 24... I haven't heard anything less than that for a new grad. Perhaps though after working for a year or two at ~30 hrs per week, you can request to cut back or go prn.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2018

I work for a big corporation with many hospitals in many states.We hire most new employees as per diem or supplemental and that included new RNs too!

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2018

I work for a big corporation with many hospitals in many states.We hire most new employees as per diem or supplemental and that included new RNs too!

From a personal development perspective, that is not the best policy, imo. Experience is the best teacher for new nurses. If you are limiting your exposure to the job, you are limiting those opportunities for learning and skill advancement.

Just because someone can doesn't mean they should.

I've been part time or PRN for years and years, but when I started out, I worked as many hours as I could in order to advance my knowledge and improve my skills. Would have been much harder to do if I wasn't working very much, or was always being canceled or floated to unfamiliar units.

All of this is JMHO.

MomOfFive2018 · Jul 26, 2018

Thank you everyone for the input. This is exactly what I needed to know. I am open to working 3 10 or 12s. We are on a 4 day school schedule and I have worked/schooled before but I know starting a new career is always a challenge. I understand when starting out working less than 25-30 hours is not ideal. I will keep that in mind.

caliotter3 · Jul 26, 2018

From a personal development perspective, that is not the best policy, imo. Experience is the best teacher for new nurses. If you are limiting your exposure to the job, you are limiting those opportunities for learning and skill advancement.
Just because someone can doesn't mean they should.
I've been part time or PRN for years and years, but when I started out, I worked as many hours as I could in order to advance my knowledge and improve my skills. Would have been much harder to do if I wasn't working very much, or was always being canceled or floated to unfamiliar units.
All of this is JMHO.

Could not have said it better. Establish your knowledge and experience base before you seek part time. With that amount of experience, you will also find it much easier, maybe even possible at all, to get what you want at that time.

Wuzzie · Jul 26, 2018

Thank you everyone for the input. This is exactly what I needed to know. I am open to working 3 10 or 12s. We are on a 4 day school schedule and I have worked/schooled before but I know starting a new career is always a challenge. I understand when starting out working less than 25-30 hours is not ideal. I will keep that in mind.

Without knowing what kind of work you've done previously and not discounting it but I really must tell you there's working and then there's being a nurse which is an entirely different animal.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2018

Without knowing what kind of work you've done previously and not discounting it but I really must tell you there's working and then there's being a nurse which is an entirely different animal.

Not to be negative about things, but we need to forget about the OP going to school herself. I know of schools that have a part time option, but it is still a huge commitment with a lack of flexibility on some issues.