Is working part-time really all that bad?

loriangel14, RN · Mar 19, 2008

My choice was take part time or not work. Full time right off the bat is pretty rare where I am. I am considered part time but I get 8-9 shifts per pay period. I will have to hang in there until a full time line opens up and I have the seniority to get it.

cocoa9065 · Mar 19, 2008

Thanks for the reply. I think my biggest concern is that with this New graduate Guarantee that the government is funding, finding a full time job should be much easier (when the program ran last year, over 85% of new grads were merged into a full time position after their orientation), and i guess my concern is that if finding full time is that common, should i necessarily be settling? I'm just really interested to know how it feels never really knowing your work schedule as a partimer. I know there is some flexibility in working part time, but when you would really like the hours doesn't it start to feel like your life revolves around waiting for that phone call from work to tell you to come in?

Fiona59 · Mar 19, 2008

I'm a part timer by choice. Back when I graduated there was NO new grad incentive. We took what we could find.

Part time guarantees you x number of hours per pay period unlike the casual position. Part-timers get benefits and pensions, casuals don't.

You can pick up extra shifts. Those on your unit are offered to you before the casual pool gets called.

You can use your time off to look for another job, have another job, or do whatever you feel.

It's a choice only you can make.

But at least you are building seniority and gaining experience.

allnurses Guide · Mar 19, 2008

I know I'm not from Canada - but I went part time after burning out from way too much overtime. Plus, getting pregnant at 43 and having an "oops baby" . . who is a blessing. :yeah:

I cannot see myself ever working full time again. I worked enough to qualify to keep my benefits. And I had time and energy to be with my family.

My real goal is to win the lottery so I can stay home full time:D (my youngest is 6, my oldest is 25). And then go on medical mission trips to Vietnam every summer.

Part time jobs are harder to find here in America . . . .

steph

linzz · Mar 19, 2008

I think in most areas of Ontario, you must start part time due to seniority rights and the fact that the government does not always deliver all that is promised with the new grad guarantee which only funds for six months of full time work. I have heard complaints from various sources that not as many positions are opening up as our government would lead us to believe. Personally, I am fine with part time as my kids are young and my spouse works a lot of hours so something has to give, but it sure would be nice to have more full time positons available in Ontario.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 19, 2008

Thanks for the reply. I think my biggest concern is that with this New graduate Guarantee that the government is funding, finding a full time job should be much easier (when the program ran last year, over 85% of new grads were merged into a full time position after their orientation), and i guess my concern is that if finding full time is that common, should i necessarily be settling? I'm just really interested to know how it feels never really knowing your work schedule as a partimer. I know there is some flexibility in working part time, but when you would really like the hours doesn't it start to feel like your life revolves around waiting for that phone call from work to tell you to come in?

I had no idea that the rate of full time employment after the new grad initiative was so high. I only know two people that were in that program and both of them were out of work after it ended after 6 months.

I usually know my schedule ahead of time. The master schedule has my set shifts and if I pick up more shifts it is usually a few days before, sometimes even a week or more. I usually get days from full timers wanting days off. Where I work there is a protocol as to who gets offered the shift. You have to count up who has the least shifts that week and offer it to the person with the least.This way no one hogs the shifts. As a part timer I get 14% in lieu of benefits pay plus 4 % vacation on every pay so it makes part time worth while.

Fiona59 · Mar 19, 2008

I accrue vacation and sick hours and am paid a portion of the stat holidays I don't actually work. If I work the Stat, I get the Stat rate.

linzz · Mar 20, 2008

I am wondering if this new grad initiative is either overstated or it is mostly for BSN grads willing to work in unpopular areas or very underserviced geographical areas. At least five or six students from my LPN class got the new grad initiative and either they were out of work in six months or they were bumped down to casual as there are many nurses with more seniority waiting for part time lines to open up. I guess I just take what our provincial government promises with a grain of salt. I really think that as nurses we deserve better. JMO.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 20, 2008

You have a good point linzz. Most places would have nurses with seniority that would be taking any full time available.I would be highly suspicious of that 85% claim.

linzz · Mar 20, 2008

Loriangel14, I think you are wise to be suspicious of the 85% claim. I just wish it were true esp. for RPN's. I think the new grad initiative is a great idea and I wish I had been able to get it. However, I do think that as an RPN if you are in a LTC or a rehab type hospital that isn't too RN dominated, you will get full time eventually if that is what you want. Interestingly, a classmate of mine was offered full time job at a psych hospital and said no because this person needed a break from that setting and wanted to work at a well paying nursing home. To each his own.

nursefromquebec · Mar 23, 2008

I personaly would never want a full time position....I love my part time job which allows me to spend more time with my family. I pick up a few extra shifts when I need to and when I don't feel like it I stick to my part time schedule.

best of both worlds IMHO