Question about working full time and part time as a nurse?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Aug 26, 2012

As a new grad, no one will hire you to work one day per week. How would they train you? On Saturdays?

grantchatt · Aug 26, 2012

Ok. Thanks!

amoLucia · Aug 27, 2012

You MIGHT be able to wiggle something if you were to find a position (prob NOT hosp) and use some of your accrued PTO from your current job for orientation. This assumes that you HAVE acccrued PTO and any orientation could be covered with that. Then it also assumes that the new employer has hired you for the special hours you would like.

I do know that some nsg homes have employed part-time nurses on 3 - 11 to cover dinner time with med pass or treatments. ALFs also may employ someone to cover an abbreviated evening schedule. SNF/LTCs and ALFs usually hire LPNs but they might consider RNs for atypical schedules that others usually don't want (of course you could always market yourself to them as such as you job-search).

The problem with hospitals is that you'll probably need an extended orientation period which they won't 'spend' for part-time hours such as you'd like, even IF you had that much accrued PTO.

Just a question - are you Civil Service??? I know things vary State-to-State, but I vaguely remember that if someone quits, there's a 1 year grace period (???) in which if they come back, they can buy back their benefits package (???) and not lose their vested interest (???). Is this something that's applicable for you? Am very fuzzy on this but something's there. You should be able to talk with Personnel, HR or an EAP counselor for correct details.

Also if you are Civil Service, you could consider State institutions (MH/DDD/LTC etc) for a transfer. Whatever, you'd be getting some nsg experience. I do understand about the security of a vested position, esp in today's unpredictable healthcare employment environment. Something to investigate.

grantchatt · Aug 28, 2012

OMG...Thanks for understanding and not thinking that I am OUT OF MY MIND! I am a Federal Govt Civilian worker, but that is something that I sould look into..Thanks so much for the advice and for being non judgement (for trying to hold on to what I got before I jump in head first). I am not opposed to a nursing home setting for experience as long as they are flexiable and willing to work with me.(never thought of this option)

Thanks for the RAY of hope you just shined on my day! :up:

Nurse ABC · Aug 28, 2012

At our hospital, even if you are hired part-time (with benefits) you can work full time hours. I know it can be scary to let go of your safety net but once hired you will be fine!

grantchatt · Aug 28, 2012

Thanks for the encouragement!!! I sure need it.

Vinniesguy · Aug 28, 2012

You could always go casual so you can pick and choose your hours...

grantchatt · Aug 28, 2012

But the first lady said that I cannot be trained working part-time. I dnt mind working during the week after my full time job and on weekends until I make sure that I am a good fit for the career. That is why i posted this. To see if it is an option to keep my full time job and work part time as a nurse before I become a full time nurse. I have heard that nursing school does not prepare you 100% for what working as a nurse can be. Just wanted to test the waters first.

Thanks for responding! :)

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 28, 2012

Putting all the previous posts together ...

Yes, there are jobs that will allow you to work the part time schedule you seek, but there are some significant problems with your plan.

1. You will be a new grad -- and most new grads need a full time orientation to be successful at any of the more sophisticated nursing jobs. It takes about a year before most new grads are able to be fully competent as a professional nurse.

2. Because of #1, the only type of jobs you might be able to get as a new grad seeking such minimal employment will be really "lower level" nursing jobs that won't help your career much. You would be in danger of getting stuck in such a job, losing your more sophisticated skills in time, severely limiting your nursing options for the future.

3. If you really want to give yourself a good chance for a successful nursing career, you need to invest in your career immediately after graduation. You have to take that next step of actually "giving it a go" in the best job you can find ... offering the best training and the best practical experience to help you further develop your nursing skills. If you miss that window of opportunity, your nursing options and chances of a successful nursing career will quickly diminish.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Aug 28, 2012

Typically part-time equates to 24 hours/week, so you would have to work at least two 12-hour shifts or three 3-hour shifts. The only way I can see you being able to work just saturdays is if you had a PRN job, but most places require at least a year for that. They won't hire a new grad because new grads require more training. You could always seek a full-time position elsewhere and go PRN at your current job, if possible.

grantchatt · Aug 28, 2012

Thanks!

Typically part-time equates to 24 hours/week, so you would have to work at least two 12-hour shifts or three 3-hour shifts. The only way I can see you being able to work just saturdays is if you had a PRN job, but most places require at least a year for that. They won't hire a new grad because new grads require more training. You could always seek a full-time position elsewhere and go PRN at your current job, if possible.