New Grad Question about PRN RN jobs

[we.cant.stop]

Hello! I was just hired full time in a hospital. I am still in my orientation period. I love my job!! Due to my excessive debt, I have decided in order to not be living paycheck to paycheck and to be able to pay off my debt I need a second job. I was wondering if it is taboo for new grad nurses to apply to PRN jobs when they have less than a years experience. I would work anywhere PRN considering I am only working 3 days a week. I feel even if I was just PRN I feel like the experience of either working on another hospital unit or nursing home or private duty or hospice would be a great experience and I would learn alot.

Has anyone as a new grad gone straight to finding a PRN job once they got hired full time? I have no idea what I would even say if I ever got the chance to interview if I was asked "You were just hired, why are you looking for another job?". I feel it may look bad on my part...

Should I wait a year so I can atleast have a years experience before finding a PRN job, or should I just apply to a PRN job I find?

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Many places will not hire per diem nurses that have no experience, as you get minimal training as a per diem nurse. I would get through orientation and get your feet wet before you begin applying. My agency will not consider nurses for private duty positions until they have 6 months experience.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I used to work PRN and I can tell you right now it is not an appropriate position for a new grad at all. I would only get 2-3 days orientation and then was expected to hit the ground running, including being expected to float to other units and take a full assignment. I say spend a year or so on your current unit. In the mean time, you can always pick up overtime at your current job, which when you figure in your overtime rate, may be more than you would make working PRN anyway.

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

If you can tolerate it I'd just sign up to work an extra day at your current job. That way you get some overtime hours out of it. If it's anything like where I work, they can use every body they can get and don't mind paying overtime for it, because the alternative is an agency nurse that they pay waaaay more for.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

They'll understand if you say, "I can only work three shifts a week at my other job, but I want to learn more and need the extra money for my student loans. I don't need a benefited position here."

But they still probably won't hire you for prn without more experience.

I agree, see if you can pick up an extra shift a week, even 8 hours in clinic or something, in your present facility. Or if you are in a specialty unit, call all the attendings' offices and ask if they need help. Every little bit helps.

[Morainey, BSN, RN]

I originally answered yes but I changed my mind. I would wait it out for at least a year to get your feet solidly beneath you at your primary job. I am remembering my per diem orientation and it's true, you get a minimal introduction and tour and then get thrown in to the mix. I needed an extra shift (I got 4 shifts' worth of on-the-floor orientation whereas new hires get six weeks' orientation) just to figure out the computer system.