Torn!! How should I go about this job interview?

[strawberryfields]

So my first nursing job is at a rehab facility/nursing home and it's an hour away from where I live.. however the shifts are beautiful 12 hr/3 days a week I get decent pay but management is awful... pointing fingers, playing favorites, they actually lie to us at times.

I've been wanting to work at a hospital that is literally 5 min WALK away from me.. and I just got a phone interview with them.. they reviewed my application first and stated, you are looking for part-time and I corrected her and said, no full-time.. and she said would you consider part-time? and I said possibly...

After that I thought I would not get called back... however, I did and I have an interview next week face-to-face.

It's on a skilled nursing unit which I have experience in .. but the shifts are 8 hours only i'd maybe make 1-2 dollars more.. and it's a 5 min walk from my apartment as opposed to driving an hour to work everyday. I volunteer there so I know management and they are lovely... of course there will be some politics but not like the place I currently work.

However, I cannot do part-time! I thought they wouldn't call me back cause I said i'd POSSIBLY consider part-time... so maybe they would consider me full-time?

I don't know what to do it would be a shame to turn it down because that's my foot into the hospital.. I live in CHicago so to get an RN job in the city is nearly IMPOSSIBLE especially with an Associates...

Should I mention the fact that I really want full time ... and ask if she would consider me for full-time or would it be asking for too much and i'd never get an interview here again? I just have student loans and other bills to pay for and part-time will not cut it!

Sorry for the long post but I'm just looking for some advice amongst my peers

[UNITEDRN]

Having a job with good mgmt and less commute is a blessing. If they are giving you part time then may be after few months looking at your work, they might give you more hrs or make you full time.

[strawberryfields]

It most certainly is!! Sometimes I stay on shift for 15 hours because of the amount of paperwork and documentation we have to do and an hour drive is unbearable... especially if there is a festival in the city... I can't imagine what it is going to be like when it snows

Should I ask when they could consider giving me full time? Do you think it would be something acceptable to ask them?

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Maybe a PT job will translate in to a FT one down the road.....but maybe not. Will you be able to qualify for benefits on PT? Will you be able to pay your bills on PT? I would still go to the interview and do your best to shine and then if they offer you PT, ask about prospects to go FT down the road if you think you can manage to get by on PT. You could try to juggle both jobs in the meantime (this sucks, especially with that commute, but I've done it). Or you can say "thank you so much for the offer. I'm very interested inh working with this hospital for X Y and Z reasons, but unfortunately am not in a position to accept PT at this time. Please keep me in mind if a FT posting opens up."

[strawberryfields]

I was going to try and see if my current job could do part time and I do part time at this place .. but I don't know if they'd want to accommodate my schedule, it's so unfortunate because I have wanted this job since I moved here.

[sbostonRN]

Depends on how part time it is. 20 hours...not acceptable. 32 hours...would work. Calculate how much money you spend on gas and try to figure out the minimum amt of hours you would need to work in the hospital to break even. You might find that it's a lot less than full-time. Once you're in the door you can pick up extra shifts or talk to the nurse manager to get switched to full time.

I started my job a few weeks ago and was hired for the 3-11 shift even though I wanted the day shift. Once I started working and proved myself as a good employee I approached the nurse manager and asked if there was anything open on day shift. I think it was easier to approach her once I was hired than prior to being hired, so it didn't effect the hiring decision.

[caliotter3]

I would not pass up this opportunity. You can start working for an agency on the side to make up the hours.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

caliotter beat me to it-- take the part-time and supplement it by working per diem or part time elsewhere, via agency or cut down to part time where you are now to make up the difference.

[gmondina]

I would take the part time for now in case a full time position opens up. Keep your current job and stay part time if you want. If a full time position opens up then maybe you would want to quit the commute.

[nursetaminator]

If this is the place you want to work don't pass it up, even if it's part time bc you can at least get your foot in the door. If you can't go part-time at your current job, personally I'd have to consider giving it up for the dream job. You'll save on gas and like most people there are areas you can cut back on expenses until you're full-time again.

Sometimes you've got to go with your heart. :redpinkhe

[llg, PhD, RN]

I'd take the part time if they offer it -- and try to make up the hours by volunteering for extra shifts, working a few shifts for your current employer, working for an agency, etc. But be sure to maintain health insurance somewhere.

When asked at the interview, say something like, "I am very interested in either a part time or full time position at this facility. In the long run, I would prefer to work full time ... but I'd be willling to accept a part time position."

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

Unless you need the full time benefits, I hope you will get to take the part time job where you want to work, closer to your home. Without even knowing where it is I can almost guarantee you that you can pick up extra shifts if you just need the extra hours and not the bennies.