Should I apply for a per diem job now if I plan to be away for all of Sept?

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Specializes in L&D.

I'm a SAHM looking to ease back into the work force (am anxious about leaving my baby, but it's been 1.5 years and I really need to get my feet wet again!)

Am waiting for my new nursing license in my new home state, hopefully will get that in the next few weeks.

The local hospital has a PRN nursery job posted now which is up my alley since I used to work L&D.

Could be a way to get myself in the door. Am open to L&D, postpartum or nursery and am not in a huge rush to start. Would just like to slowly start the process and get an initial interview where I can talk to them about their per diem needs.

I'm tempted to apply once I get the license. Only complication is I'm planning to be out of town for all of Sept (vacation and then helping my SIL out of state who is having twins).

I know most per diem jobs have a 2 shifts per month minimum requirement, not sure how set in stone that is.

Ideally I'd apply in May, interview process may take a few weeks, then if I get the job spend the summer doing the on-boarding process (I know that can take awhile). I let BLS and NRP lapse so I'd need to get those again. Then there'd be hospital and unit orientation etc. I'd want to space all that out so I wouldn't leave my son too many days in a row. (Am thinking 1-2 days a week if possible). I've never left him for more than 2 hours so we need to ease into this slowly. But it has to happen sometime!

If I got an interview near-term I would tell them up front about my travel plans and maybe make my official start date in Oct.

Does that sound ok?

Or should I just wait and apply for jobs in Oct when I'm ready to work?

But waiting till then may mean I don't actually work till 2015, and am a bit anxious to bite the bullet and do it before I lose my nerve!

I've never applied for a per diem job before so not sure how strict or relaxed the process is.

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Dear princess,

Apply for a position when you are available to work.

Sheesh...

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If a hospital is looking for someone in April I doubt they would want to wait to have you start working until October. Take some more time to spend with your son and apply for jobs when you are ready to work.

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At most hospitals you may have to work a fair amount 3-4 days the first week for paperwork, general hospital orientation etc. Once you are on board you can dictate your schedule but plan that you will not necessarily be able to the first week or so. You will need a few shifts close together to get back into the swing of things.

Sounds like you aren't ready to go back yet. I don't think it would be cool to say you need a whole month off during your interview and presumptuous to think they will give it off to you once you start.

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Specializes in L&D.

Yeah maybe I'll just wait till fall to apply...

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I would wait until your ready to work. Your orientation will typically require you to be present for several days to weeks consecutively.

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Specializes in L&D.

I guess I was thinking I could get all the onboarding and orientation out of the way in July/Aug so I can hit the ground running when I get back in Oct.

But maybe that'd be too long a break and they wouldn't like it.

I've never done per diem before so not sure how strict they are about the 2 shifts per month.

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If you're taking Sept off, why not shorten that just an eensy bit, and work two shifts on Sept 1,2 and 29, 30. Voila, four shifts in a month...

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Specializes in L&D.
If you're taking Sept off, why not shorten that just an eensy bit, and work two shifts on Sept 1,2 and 29, 30. Voila, four shifts in a month...

Do some per diem jobs require 4 a month?? I thought most were 2. See these are things I need to find out during interview process....

Was thinking I could come back home mid Sept after our vacation, work a few shifts and then fly back up North when my SIL has her babies (which may not be till late Sept or early Oct. Hard to predict.) Not very efficient, but could be done. I would just hate for these plans to make me delay the application process several months. Because I may not get the first job I apply for anyway and delaying could mean I don't work until 2015.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Depending on the application process, you at not start orientation UNTIL 2015...

Just something to think about.

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I work PRN and I'm required to work 4 days a month. I had another PRN job that required the same thing.

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Specializes in Emergency/ICU.

If you don't need insurance, agencies are highly flexible and can accomodate your immediate needs. I've never worked for one, so I can't attest to what it is like to go into a hospital as an agency nurse, but I understand that the pay is good and a friend of mine is only requiired to work 2 days per month. With your experience, they would likely just give you Sept off. Best of luck!

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