2nd Jobs for a New Grad

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 11, 2017

I strongly recommend getting a 2nd job until you finish your residency. By itself, the residency will/should be difficult enough -- and you should use any extra time you have on your hands to establish a healthy lifestyle for yourself that includes rest, exercise, a social life, etc. "Burning the candle at both ends" is how a lot of new nurses burn out. Get settled into your new role as a staff nurse before loading up on other committments.

If you really have extra time on your hands, talk with your educator on learning activities that you could do to enhance your skills for your primary job. Delay picking up a 2nd job until you get well established in your main job.

babeinboots, MSN, NP, CNM · Dec 11, 2017

I agree with the previous poster. I'm currently in an L&D residency and it's definitely keeping me busy. Besides the normal 36 hour work week, we have "homework assignments" each week (tests, modules, and reading) that can take hours to complete and a couple times a week we're at the hospital an extra day for additional training (NRP, fetal heart monitoring, ect.). I'm all for making extra money, this is probably the first time in my life that I only have one job but I'm definitely waiting till I finish this residency before picking up extra shifts or a side gig. You don't want to jeopardize your ER job because you're not giving it 100%. Have patience, you'll get there soon enough, good luck!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 14, 2017

Honestly? Worry about mastering your first job before you worry about a second. It's quite the transition from nursing school to actual floor nursing, and you should focus on learning the basics of nursing (New Grad 101) at this time. You won't be able to do that as efficiently if you are diving your time between two different workplaces...both of which, BTW, WILL expect to be your priority. The second job isn't going to always be willing to bend itself around the first.

Neverminding that it may not be easy to get that second job. Many facilities won't hire a RN as a tech due to the liability: in a tech job you'd have to stay in the tech scope of practice, yet if something happens, you will be held to the standard of your highest license (the RN). It's a catch-22.

Also, it's uncommon for new grads to be hired into per-diem/PRN positions due to their lack of experience. Per-Diems/PRNs are expected to hit the ground running. The new grads that do manage to get hired per-diem/PRN usually end up working the equivalent of full-time hours so they can learn the basics of nursing. It's hard to transition as a new grad nurse if you're only working a few shifts each month.

After your residency is finished, then consider looking for that second job. Though you may find that once you're out of the residency, you'll be able to start picking up extra shifts at your current place.

nurse528 · Dec 16, 2017

Hey there!

So I'm a pretty new graduate too and just started my first job.

I agree with the above that the orientation, especially for ED, can be very very constraining. However, it doesn't mean you can't do jobs on the side until you start in Feb, or even a few weeks into orientation when you're feeling more comfortable.

Just some ideas on what new grads I knew did...

- One is a sub school nurse. It doesn't make a LOT but it's something, and it's a per diem job that's comfortable and requires very minimal training so look into that. I applied initially but the app process is long and takes quite a few weeks because they make sure to verify you and set you up with an interview, etc.

- Home care requires a bit more training. My friend had 2 weeks in class orientation full-time and then for each case she was put on, she had to train with the nurse for at least 3 shifts before she could be on her own. So a little less convenient.

- Another did a bunch of flu shot clinics. If you look on Indeed a lot of places hire people to give shots during flu season. This could be a 1-4p job in a company building, a few hours at some health convention, etc. Some need people to just do blood pressures and blood sugars for a day so that's also something. It paid okay and you honestly needed no training, just your RN license.

- Another worked at a not-so-busy urgent care. I think she mostly took vitals and documented, did some light triaging and drew some blood and gave allergy shots.

- Another worked at a doctor's office. Not sure what she did, but it didn't pay very much - I think it's a lot of light office work, etc.

I wouldn't recommend anything more than PD. You won't be able to work out a schedule if you picked up a PT or FT side job, so if you're going to find something, just search for jobs with very minimal training and that will be PD. Good luck!