New Grad Working Two Jobs

[Biggredd305]

I’m currently in a nurse residency program and this is my fifth month as a nurse. I was considering working a part time job somewhere else because:

1. I need a car
2. I want to get more experience to get prepared to be in ICU by next year Spring. (I work in a stepdown unit.)
3. I gotta pay off this debt.
4. I was thinking of applying to another unit somewhere else to see if I like it such as the ER OR I was also thinking about working somewhere else in an ICU.

I'm currently in a relationship as well and my boyfriend is totally fine with me grinding right now. I wanted to see what your experience was like and also any advice for me trying to get a side hustle?

[Sour Lemon]

It would make more sense to pick up extra hours at your primary job. A lot of places seem to swing back and forth between very understaffed and very overstaffed. You can "hustle" during the understaffed times if you're up to it. Let everyone know you want to pick up shifts, and you'll probably get taken up on the offer.

Working two jobs is possible, but a giant pain for a lot of people who attempt it. Scheduling is often complicated, and requirements (such as weekends and holidays) can be double when you have two employers.

Per diem might be an option, but many per diem jobs have experience requirements and the weekend/holiday requirements can be doubled with that sort of position, too.

Last but not least, you've got to make sure you're at 100% when you're working. Don't tempt fate by showing up with your brain tired ...especially as a new nurse.

My hospital floats me to ER occasionally, although I work there in an assistive role and don't have my own patients. I've also been floated to mother and baby, but  only cared for the mothers. Point is, you may be able to try out other units if you let them know that you're willing.

One also tried to float me to ICU, but I declined as I was not qualified.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Part time and per diem jobs typically only hire nurses with experience in that particular area. Orientation is literally two days on my unit for per diem staff. A second job probably comes with mandatory staff meetings, holiday requirements and other things that will have to fit in with your main job.

The best way to make extra money involves overtime in your unit. Time and a half is the way to go. If the night and/or weekend differentials are good, pick a weekend night overtime shift. Find out if there are similar stepdown units you would be able to pick up extra shifts in if there are no overtime opportunities there. My hospital pays critical staffing pay for units really short-staffed, and a nurse can pick up a critical staffing bonus on top of all the overtime and shift differentials.

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I recommend what the others said. One thing I want to warn you about is burning yourself out too fast....physically and emotionally. I have seen too many nurses working multiple jobs or hours and end up either hating the profession or so physically exhausted that they have to drop back to one job. I would suggest learning everything you can.....be investing in your department and make a good impression....learn everything you can....then move on to ICU if that’s still what you want.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

I agree with other folks about trying to pick up extra shifts where you currently are. Also, once you're eligible to float, it's a good way to become known in your facility and get exposure to different units.

As far as gaining more experience for subsequent changes of practice area, try to concentrate on learning as much from what you're doing now. You can supplement that by doing self-directed study, concentrating on self-pace continuing ED on things that you run into at work. Keep in mind that at this stage in your career most things are new to you, and almost everything is a learning opportunity.

[JKL33]

Agree with all the above.

Without exhausting yourself so that you will need to write a post about how numerous things in your life are going wrong and you're not sure if nursing is for you, seek to pick up a little extra work at the job you already have.

As already suggested, let them know that you might like to float or cross-train.

IMO none of this should be undertaken unless you are progressing solidly, getting along well and practicing as a solid advanced beginner/competent nurse who is reliably making good decisions, using resources appropriately, managing time well, etc.

[caliotter3]

Also consider that if you take a second position with another employer, poop out and have to scale back, you will have created a negative impression with that employer. That could impact your future.

[turtlesRcool]

Agree with everyone else.  You have only been doing this for 5 months.  What makes you think another facility would hire a new RN with 5 months of step-down experience to work in their ICU without an orientation? And, moreover, why would you want to put yourself in such a dangerous position? If you're working PRN it means you are experienced and can hit the ground running.

If you need more money, picking up shifts with your employer seems to be the way to go.  I'm also willing to bet that some of your colleagues would be happy to let you work the more lucrative shifts (weekends, holidays) for them, either outright or as a switch. You want to work my weekend?  Great, I'll take your Wednesday. I had a colleague who loved to work doubles on Christmas because he made bank doing it. Personally, I'd be happy to give you my holiday shifts (and the extra pay) for more time with my family.

[0.9%NormalSarah, BSN, RN]

I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again, the first year sucks. I remember it well because I’m only finishing up my second year in the ICU as a new grad. I would alternate between weeks of feeling amazing at my job to coming home crying the following week’s shifts thinking I should never have become a nurse. It is rough, and many people do not escape those feelings. You have to leave room in your schedule to recover. This is coming from someone that has had a second part time job throughout all of it, one that is not nursing related and that I cannot give up. It has been hard to maintain both of those without screwing up royally. It does get better but 5 months is not enough, you are likely to experience these feelings every time you get harder patient assignments, which you will do as you progress as a nurse. Don’t allow your admirable ambitions to cause you to make a very poor impression when you inevitably experience periods of burnout.

[Wuzzie]

Oh dear, not to put too fine of a point on it but no ED, no ICU and certainly no OR is going to take a new grad with 5 months experience and put them on the unit without an extensive orientation which you cannot do part time. As others have said, and maybe pre-Covid, overtime at your facility would be the way to go. I’m not sure that’s possible now as many hospitals are not allowing it. That may change as pandemic shortages worsen.  I would definitely consider positioning yourself to do what you want in the future by volunteering to be cross-trained to other units if they are offering that. In the meantime if your aim is to make some extra cash you might consider a job outside of healthcare for the short-term. Granted, it won’t be much but it will be something and it might be a nice break from the intensity of your residency. Just be aware that burn-out is a thing.