New nurse asking for PRN advice

[JacqueStape16]

I'm a relatively new nurse, graduated with my BSN last year and I'm about halfway through a residency program in the ICU at a hospital in Houston since July. Hubby and I just bought a new house and I want to come up with a savings cushion, some extra money for furniture and such. I'm considering applying for a PRN position at a different hospital on a medsurg floor. I'm not allowed to work any overtime at my current hospital because I'm still in the program, but I've completed my orientation and I'm fully qualified and licensed. ACLS certified, etc. I only work three days a week and I have a good deal of free time and would like to earn some extra money. Is this something that would be frowned upon by my current hospital, or do I even need to ask their permission...there is nothing in my contract that says I can't do PRN at another hospital. Thank you and I appreciate any help.

[AliNajaCat]

You don't have to ask, and you'd be well-advised not to even mention it to your bestie who works there. You're a grownup now and you can work two jobs if you want to.

All you have to do is be sure that the requirements for part time work (#days per week, holidays, weekends, shifts) don't conflict.

Brilliant idea. See if you can open a new bank account just for your savings, have this check direct-deposited, and forget all about it while it grows.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Here's the problem- you are a brand-new RN with just 6 months of experience. You really don't qualify for most PRN positions. And, with working full-time, how would you fit in orientation?

I think the most sensible, doable thing you can do right now is work on cutting expenses. You accomplish the same thing, and get to actually spend time in that new place.