Published Feb 17, 2010
Jeffreyj
1 Post
Is there such a thing as a part time nurse? If so are those jobs to get for an RN?
sunnycalifRN
902 Posts
If you are a new grad RN, you'll probably want to work full time for a while to gain experience. Depending on the hospital and the particular unit, part time positions are sometimes available.
rn/writer, RN
9 Articles; 4,168 Posts
One of the attractions to nursing is the ability to work a flexible, possibly part-time schedule. More than half of my co-workers (I'm speaking of just the RNs now) work a .5 FTE to a .8 FTE. FTE means full-time equivalency, so .5 would work out to half time. .9 is often considered full time.
This is a real plus for people who definitely want to work but have school, childcare, health or other considerations. Where I work, we have a mix of FTEs along with 8- and 12-hour slots for a tremendous range of possibilities.
Sometimes the flexibility is the only thing that makes a schedule work.
RNKPCE
1,170 Posts
Very few nurses work full time where I work most are half time to 9/10th. Which is 9 days in a 2 week pay period. I have never worked full time. 4/5(4 days a week) then with each kid I cut my status now I work 2 shifts a week. One of the great perks of being a nurse
mustlovepoodles, RN
1,041 Posts
When I first got out of school I worked only full time for several years. It really laid the foundation of my nursing knowledge and I'm glad I did it that way. Then when I had my first child I went to part-time and then prn(as needed.) I worked weekends-only, no weekends, night shift, day shift, evening shift. Four hour shifts, 12 hours shifts. Holidays. There were periods when I worked 1 or 2 or 3 days a week for months on end. But I kept up with my continuing ed so I could stay current. A couple years ago I went back to full-time but I was unhappy with the job and being there 5 days a week was just torture. Now I'm back to 3 days a week, 6 hours a day and its a much better fit.
So, right out of school? No, I would not work part-time. After 32 years? Yeah, baby
MERRYWIDOW46
311 Posts
Always worked FT 36-40 hours a week. About 10 years ago my spouse had a serious illness and died. I cut back then and now am 0.6FTE, 24 hours a week. I LOVE IT, I work and have fun. BALANCE is great!!!!
Would NOT consider that for a new grad, but will celebrate my 34th aniversary as a RN in June 2010, so I feel I DESERVE the perk!
I think 4 days is enough for a new grad. Maybe full time for orientation but I don't think it has to be 40 hours.
rn4ever?
686 Posts
Yes there is. I used to work full-time as a new grad but switched to part time a year later. I believe that for a new grad you will learn a lot if you start out full-time.
shoegalRN, RN
1,338 Posts
I work weekends only (Sat and Sun) nights. I am a new grad. I started off full time in the ICU and then transferred to the ER for the weekend alt option. I work 2 days and get paid for 3 and I wouldnt change it for nothing in the world.
I can also pick up extra shifts during the week if I choose. There are a few new grads who were hired directly for the weekend alt option.