Part time (per diem) at LTC new nurse

[love-d-OR]

Hey guys,

I am a new grad nurse, and I will be working full time at a transplant surgical ICU in a major teaching hospital starting in August. My mother works as an aide in an LTC, and her DON informed her (she got the info by word of mouth. Mother went around bragging :Dto everyone that her daughter had finished nursing school! Oh, mothers...) she would be needing a part time nurse in the near future, so my mother suggested me to her.

So, my question is how many of you work part time in a nursing home while holding a full time job somewhere else?

Are they flexible with your schedule, like a per diem job?

What do you guys think of this opportunity? Is it too early to be juggling two places?

How is the orientation usually (for new nurses in LTC)?

Any new grads doing this or working dual jobs? I have heard a couple of girls at the hospital say they have already landed two jobs (part and full time), it sounded scary when I heard it but I figured I might ask my favorite group of virtual friends :loveya: first! Thank you!

PS: I worked as an aide while in nursing school, both in a nursing home and hospital. So, I have an idea of the environment. Although I understand it might be a heavy committment, I wouldnt mind the extra money in the pocket.

Disclaimer: This is not an RN vs LVN thread, so please if you want to further your comments on those issues go somewhere else. I just need my question answered, thanks ahead for your consideration.

[Thornbird]

I know a few nurses that do what you are thinking of. My advice to you would be to get your feet under you in your full-time job before taking on a part-time one as well.

That said, working conditions, including orientation vary greatly in LTC. The impression you already have of this place is your best indicator of how things will go. Many nursing homes treat per diem nurses very well and are accommodating to schedules. Orientation also varies but tends to be better if they know you are a new grad. You will need a good orientation since LTC is very different from the hospital. All the paperwork and how the sytem works will take getting used to. If they really need you, you are in a position to demand what you need from them.

Best of Luck.

PS: regarding your disclaimer- there should be no reason for this to be an RN vs LVN issue. If you have issues with LVN's, LTC care is not for you as most LTC nurses are LVN's and there is almost no difference in duties. :)

[june2009]

why don't you just work overtime at your full time job? Wouldn't that be even better money? then you don"t have to worry about juggling two jobs.

[love-d-OR]

Thornbid thanks for your response but please do not read too deeply into my disclaimer. It is very forward and it has no double message to it. Before I posted I read more than two threads that begun with new grads asking a question and they some how turned out into an RN/LVN status feud. Read the threads on this section and you will see what I am talking about.

The message was simple: Do not hijack the thread!

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Good luck to you as a new grad. It's an exciting time.

Working in LTC is far far different from hospital nursing. You'll have anywhere from 15-60 patients depending on the facility and shift you choose to work. I've seen many new grads come to a skilled facility thinking it will be easier than the hospital and find out that in many ways it is far more difficult.

If I were you, I'd stick with your full time job until you were really comfortable with the skills set you need for that. Then in a year or so if you still want a part time job you could try long term care.

[evilolive, BSN, RN]

I'm a new graduate working in a LTC facility in MA. The job is okay, but I really feel my orientation to the unit was far too short (112 hours).

I realized that most of my job was a "routine" but when situations arise that I have never dealt with before, I get worried. Unfortunately you can never tell when someone will code or stroke out, etc., so I guess they can't extend my time just for that. Anyway, I learned basics of care on night shift (Tx's, meds, 24 hour checks, etc) and was left to learn the rest on my own.

I can't speak about working per diem, as I'm 32 hr. FT at this point, but I know they make a helluva lot more money than I am right now! It was interesting when this one nurse told me that working per diem put you at risk for losing your "owned nights" when they hire a FT worker, yet told me that a per diem night "owned" Mondays so that's probably why I haven't picked up that night yet... oh well.

Good luck to you!