Part-Time Graduate Nursing...Possible??

[crp2000]

Hello All-

I'm graduating from a BSN program in May 2006. Just started a new job in January 2006 that I would like to hold for at least a year (social services). I'm wondering whether there are hospitals that offer part-time graduate nursing positions. Any advice or information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[CraigBSN02]

In a word: No.

Starting a nursing career involves a fair bit of an internship, anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months, depending on the specialty. I would be extremely leery of any place that would offer a shorter new grad internship, meaning that you wouldn't want to work there for safety reasons.

Without getting into the reasons for wanting to hold this social service job you are talking about, you might as well graduate, take your boards, and then apply for a new grad position next January.

[elkpark]

There are some older threads here that discuss the pros and cons of working part-time as a new graduate or taking time off after school before beginning a nursing job. You may want to search and review them.

The typical response from experienced nurses is that either is a really bad idea. What you have learned in nursing school is just the tip of the iceberg, just enough to get you "in the door," and, nowadays more so than in the past, your first year of so of working as a nurse after you finish school is really a necessary continuation of your education.

I encourage you to find and read some of the other threads on this board that talk about this topic and new grads' experiences of their first year(s) out of school.

Best wishes for whatever you decide. :)