Part-time nurse, part-time something else?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Oct 30, 2009

OMG - the possiblities are endless. I know of nurses who do this - including

Night Shift Supervisor & Long Haul Truck Driver - srsly! She works 12 hours, and has told me that she has no problems scheduling trucking runs on her days off. It's sort of the family business.

CCU Staff nurse & Givenchy perfume rep. She was doing the perfume thing waay before she became a nurse - started as a 'counter girl' in a department store. Now, on her days off, she visits department stores to train staff, introduce new products, distribute samples, etc. Oh - she also works 12 hour shifts.

Staff nurse (MedSurg) & contract BLS instructor. She has all her own stuff, and does training for a fee. Don't have a clue how much she makes, but she really enjoys it.

Last time I spoke with any of these gals, they were not at all burned out on nursing - still loving it. Maybe because they has something else to focus on and decompress.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 30, 2009

I've known lots of people to do it -- and I have a part-time job outside the hospital in addition to my full time hospital job. However ...

It can be difficult. In particular, you have to be careful about things like benefits: where will you get your health insurance? ... and will it cost you more as a part time employee? What about paid time off, sick time, retirement benefits, etc.? In some workplaces, the part time employees get a lot less benefits than the full time ones and you might have to make some big sacrifices there.

Another issue is the schedule -- particularly any obligations you may have from either employer related to working on holidays, weekends, and during emergencies. You have to be careful to avoid making committments to employers that overlap -- that you will not find yourself in a position in which you have to short-change one employer to meet the expections of another.

For the reasons I just gave above, some people (like me) find it best to have one primary place of employer where you work at least half-time and maybe even full time -- a place where you will get your benefits, make committments to work over the holidays, etc.. Then, if you want a 2nd job ... do that very part time on the side -- arranged so that the committments you make to that employer don't conflict with your primary job.

stripec30 · Nov 4, 2009

Part-time RN... Full-Time Firefighter/Medic.

Stargirl_nyc · Nov 5, 2009

I work full time as a manicurist in a hotel, but am considering to go to school for nursing. I was wondering the samething myself, is it possible to do nursing part time while learning and then switch to full time.

ruralgirl08 · Nov 5, 2009

I am getting a little inspired to take this idea more seriously. I think I would be a better balanced person and a better nurse, if I had another outlet.

I though about going back for a B.Ed and becoming a substitute elementary/middle school science teacher. But I cannot do that right now anyway, due to finances. But the BCLS instructor looks like a possibility, has that education piece. Also, I love emerg/critical care that's my passion....that's where I am trying to get into...took a bunch of courses. It's that experience component, I am working on:) Would love to firefight/medic, but am very petite and wouldn't be able to pull a grown man out of a building alone. Thanks for the replies!!!!

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2009

You might not need to get a degree in Ed to sub, my district takes subs with either a bachelor's (in anything) or at least 60 hours of college (again, in anything). You might also be able to sub as a school nurse. My district is always short nurse subs. Just another idea :)

jjjoy, LPN · Nov 10, 2009

Making two part-time jobs work seems like a great goal. I'd love the stimulation and variation of two part-time jobs as opposed to one full-time job. Others have mentioned practical considerations such as health insurance and retirement planning benefits and being able to land two different jobs where the schedules don't conflict.

I would like to add that it may take a few years before being able to really make it work (good schedules, good jobs, good pay). Thus, I wouldn't count on being able to make two jobs work right out of school and maybe not for a few years. Many organizations prefer to hire newbies on as full-time staff. A couple of years of full-time work demonstrating your ability to handle the job (& not just your ability to finish nursing school), and you would be much more marketable than a wet-behind-the-ears newbie.

Of course, some newbies have landed good part-time jobs right out of school; again, I just wouldn't expect it to be a sure thing.