New grad and working part time

olli975 · Dec 8, 2008

Hi,

I had same thoughts. I graduated with my BSN in May and started the graduate school in August. I got a PT position at the general medicine unit, days. I did my 6 weeks orientation FT and now started working on my own. I think it's 1/2 as much of an experience as I would otherwise get working FT. I still do same things: meds, IVs, different procedures but not as often as I would if I worked FT. Sometimes I feel I do not get to know my patients as well as RNs who have them a few days in a row, unless I do 2 or 3 days in a row myself, but in that situation I get a lot of days off in between and feel like I am getting out of the working mood... :-) Also a lot of RNs ask me why I work PT etc and not sure what their attitude toward that is. Also the hospital only pays PT for my classes because I work PT (I often wonder if someone really can go to school FT while working FT to use this benefit of covered FT education? :-), so I am doing PT NP program too and I feel I have a day or two that I could use for smth. My plan is to pick up a few extra hours at work and start a home care in the summer of some other outpatient job for a day or two... I always knew inpatient setting is not the best for me, but it's very hard to find an outpatient job without first getting an experience at the hospital.

On the bright side, if i worked FT days I think I would be very stressed out. Imagine having a really hard day and having to go to work next day and the next day and the next day. Also a lot of my classmates got nights and rotations, which would also be hard for me. I have time to study, to take care of things I need, to see my family and friends... I think I am happier because of it.

I would tell my future employer that they only had PT position at my unit when I was applying (which is true) and that I went to graduate school at the same time and was planning to do home care so I wanted to have day or two open for the future. My mother just went through a surgery and now will probably need another one and I am the one who goes with her to all appointments etc and translates because her English is not good, so I would also add I had a family situation...

How are you feeling working PT now? Let me know how it goes for you. Good luck! :redpinkhe

Eirene, ASN, RN · Dec 10, 2008

I plan on going to PT after I get a good year (or two) of experience in. PT would definitely work better with my life. My son has a lot of medical issues and we frequently drive out of town for his appointments.

We've also discussed my husband going PT instead. We're undecided at this time.