Part-Time Agency Nursing?

suzanne4, RN · May 2, 2005

You can work one day a month or more, and even less..............

Big thing is having the experience to back you up. Remember that you will not get more than a day or so of orientation when working agency........and your license is on the line if you are not prepared, something else to consider.

Pachinko · May 2, 2005

Definitely worth considering--thanks, suzanne4.

suzanne4, RN · May 2, 2005

Which part of Michigan are you in? If SE, I can give you the names of a few very good agencies that I used to work for..............just send me a pm........

NurseCherlove · May 13, 2005

Hi Suzanne,

I wanted to get your take on my situation. Like Pachinko, I too wanted to start do some PRN work (1-2 days/week) maybe with an agency about 3 or so months from now. I will be starting a new job on Monday as a Psychiatric Nurse and will be working two 12 hour shifts and two 8 hour shifts through the week, leaving 2 days a week that I could work on a med-surg or tele floor (I need 1 day for myself during the week). I am still somewhat of a new nurse however (I have 5 months of med-surg exp. and almost 2 months of inpt. hospice experience). I know I will enjoy psych, but I do not want to lose the med skills I have (and I know I still have a good bit to learn too). Do you think a hospital will hire me for 2 days a week and give me some kind of orientation (or an agency for that matter)? I have even thought that if I have to take time off from my psych job for an orientation, I will do that. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thx!

You can work one day a month or more, and even less..............
Big thing is having the experience to back you up. Remember that you will not get more than a day or so of orientation when working agency........and your license is on the line if you are not prepared, something else to consider.

suzanne4, RN · May 13, 2005

Hi Suzanne,
I wanted to get your take on my situation. Like Pachinko, I too wanted to start do some PRN work (1-2 days/week) maybe with an agency about 3 or so months from now. I will be starting a new job on Monday as a Psychiatric Nurse and will be working two 12 hour shifts and two 8 hour shifts through the week, leaving 2 days a week that I could work on a med-surg or tele floor (I need 1 day for myself during the week). I am still somewhat of a new nurse however (I have 5 months of med-surg exp. and almost 2 months of inpt. hospice experience). I know I will enjoy psych, but I do not want to lose the med skills I have (and I know I still have a good bit to learn too). Do you think a hospital will hire me for 2 days a week and give me some kind of orientation (or an agency for that matter)? I have even thought that if I have to take time off from my psych job for an orientation, I will do that. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thx!

A hospital will hire you and give the orientation that you need. An agency won't hire you without more experience, plus you do not get more than a day or two of orientation with agency work, and sometimes none.

I walked into a facility a few years ago for OR and went directly into an open heart room to give a lunch break..........had quick tour of the unit first.... :)

Had been doing hearts for years so it wasn't a problem for me and actually used to working with that physician at another facility, but for most it could have been quite scary..........

Ashera, LPN · May 13, 2005

I'm sure any hospital would be interested. And for most agencies, they would want you to have longer than 5 months. But I would still call and ask. There are sometimes agency jobs where your present skills would be almost too much for what they would send you in to - You want an agency that is really going to test you first - on all kinds of things - before ever sending you out. And an agency that will work with YOU - personally - and what YOUR needs are - and not just think of you as another body to fill a slot where they make a lot of money.

I've had situations where I've walked into a nightmare - with no one there to 'orientate' me - just hit the floor running - They are usually glad to have the hands but it puts your nursing license in jeopardy and is usually a high stress position.

I'm a hospice nurse that occasionally needs a compassion-fatigue break and will pick up a shift or two with an agency. Today - I'm going to completely do something different and run a community health clinic for 8 hours. One day only - The last time I worked for a city clinic - they were wonderful and appreciative and I felt like I was part of the staff after only a few hours. Even sad to leave at the end of the day. I couldn't do it everyday - or even more than occasionally - but every now and then - it's a lovely break.

I also did a nightmare 16hr (NEVER AGAIN) for a 'prestigious' nursing home over Easter - walked into that situation as med/treatment/AND charge nurse for 34 pts. I did the very best I could but was exhausted and emotionally numb at the end of that day. No wonder they needed agency help with inability to keep regular staff under those conditions. But again - it was one day and I walked away with a different perspective.

So go ahead and make a couple of calls to agencies - or go in and talk to them. They should be very upfront, welcoming and answer more questions than you know how to ask. They will take the time to invest in you because they want you to succeed. If they want you to wait a little while longer - they should be able to explain why. Regardless - you will get more experience and fine tune what you are only wondering about now! I have a feeling though, there will be intersting places an agency can place you now that will be a win-win situation for both you and the facility.

Sorry this is long - first cup of coffee on too little sleep - Good luck!

JustOne · May 13, 2005

Most Hospitals are going to require at least 1 year of hospital experience to work there through agency. The agency I work for has a facility that requires at least two and has some LT acute/rehab/pysch facilities that don't require any. If you are looking to work hospitals it will be tough through agency, but agency is a great way to make extra money on the side. Most agencies will work with you on what you want and what times you want. If they don't, then dump them. Be wary, there are lots of good Agencies out there but there are also some that are very shady.