Two part time jobs...

pseudo_name · Jan 23, 2014

Anyone?

Nonetheless · Jan 23, 2014

I would take it and keep looking for full time jobs. Explain in your cover letter for full time that you are seeking full-time employment and are presently working part-time. I would continue working in the units and keep searching for full time work.

macgirl · Jan 23, 2014

Do it! You will learn a lot and experience can lead to a fulltime position.

pseudo_name · Jan 23, 2014

Hopefully I'll get the other PT position, just going to have to keep my fingers crossed...

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2014

It may be a challenge scheduling wise but it's not a bad idea. That way you have the luxury of assessing what job you like and can then ask for full time hours at the job you like.

pseudo_name · Jan 24, 2014

That's what I'm a little worried about, the scheduling. Both jobs world have to be willing to work with me... Hopefully it'll work out. Well I don't even know if I got the 2nd job yet. Won't find out till next week.

Sam J. · Jan 25, 2014

It may be a challenge scheduling wise but it's not a bad idea. That way you have the luxury of assessing what job you like and can then ask for full time hours at the job you like.

I think it's a great idea- if you lose one job you still have another, and being PT you avoid a lot of the politics. And as noted above you might find you want FT at one of them. Even better if each job didn't know about the other, because if they do they will likely put pressure on you and make it hard to maintain boths jobs, if you don't give one or the other the hours they want you to work, more so if they expect you to be on call on your days off. Agencies are particulary unhelpful to nurses that work at more than one- they don't care about your problems, your schedule, etc. Sticky.

Sam J. · Jan 25, 2014

Sad that few people in this forum have managers or HR people they can be honest with, and have real discussions about their needs, and there also seems to be an overall lack of compromise between nursing and management anymore. I hail from the 1980s- and from then through the 1990s nurses had the luxury of mostly calling their own shots- working their own schedule, refusing shifts without recourse, and the like.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Jan 25, 2014

Being part-time at two jobs (not per diem at either) will be a scheduling problem, I fear. At each job you can put in your requests for days off, but that doesn't mean either employer will give you the days off you request. That's why you will see nurses working FT in one job but per diem in another or even two per diem jobs. The per diem allows the nurse to say at any time, "I can't work that day," and the scheduler honors it.

pseudo_name · Jan 26, 2014

I think I'd probably have to resign from the stepdown position at some point if things work out with the ICU position. I'm still trying to find my niche as a nurse. There are days when I hate it to be honest, but then there are days when I feel good that I made a difference or saved someone or learned something new/valuable. Sometimes I don't feel up to par on the stepdown unit. Certain nurses make you feel dumb during report (whether they mean to or not). Is this normal also during the first year of nursing?

Sorry I'm going off topic, maybe I just need some better organizational tips. I use a good SBAR sheet that the hospital created which is very helpful. On top of that I use a piece of paper that I make 6-8 squares/grid out of with my morning vitals, assessment, tele box #, patient label, pertinent labs, etc. Any other tips?

Also, there are other nurses who kind of pressure me into agreeing to work almost every weekend for them. I know I can say no, but they'll emphasize "but you're single and have no kids"... Um okay... Sometimes I feel like saying "It's not my fault that you have 5 kids" (no offense) and I do have a family, a fiancé, friends, life outside of work...

Should I speak to my manager about this? She's already tried enforcing a "3 switches per schedule" policy because it gets out of hand, but no one really adheres to it...

I'd rather work during the week as well because there are many more resources/opportunities to learn (Tuesday through Thursday especially -- our heavy post op days). The weekends have their perks too, but while I'm new and am fortunate enough to have a day position I want to get the most out of it that I can.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jan 26, 2014

Certain nurses make you feel dumb during report (whether they mean to or not). Is this normal also during the first year of nursing?

It IS normal, and not just in the first year! Some of them do mean it... it's a personality thing as well as a bullying tactic. Others may not be aware of how they sound. Try organizing your report by systems so that you follow the same script every time and soon there won't be much that you leave out. With the bullies, you could always say, "Oh thank you for reminding me about that. Wouldn't want to forget something as important as that, now would I?" That kind of response usually confuses them.

Also, there are other nurses who kind of pressure me into agreeing to work almost every weekend for them. I know I can say no, but they'll emphasize "but you're single and have no kids"... Um okay... Sometimes I feel like saying "It's not my fault that you have 5 kids" (no offense) and I do have a family, a fiancé, friends, life outside of work...
Should I speak to my manager about this? She's already tried enforcing a "3 switches per schedule" policy because it gets out of hand, but no one really adheres to it...

Don't keep falling for that. Right now it's just the weekends. Soon it'll extend to the holidays as well. And the summer... Some people just don't understand that, as you said, not having kids doesn't mean you don't have people you want to spend time with, people who are only off on the weekends. My kids are adults now, but that doesn't mean I don't want to do things with them. It's human nature to feel sorry for them, but as you say, it's not your fault they have 5 kids, and really - we all know how that happens... Your manager may be able to help you by refusing to approve trades, but that's a double-edged sword. Better simply to say, "No, sorry. I have plans already." Whether you do or don't. After awhile the requests will subside.

I'd rather work during the week as well because there are many more resources/opportunities to learn (Tuesday through Thursday especially -- our heavy post op days). The weekends have their perks too, but while I'm new and am fortunate enough to have a day position I want to get the most out of it that I can.

Another good reason NOT to make all those trades! It's your career and you know what you want out of it. At my stage of life, I would gladly give up those crazy hectic mid-week day shifts for a nice quiet weekend, and I have on occasion. You're still finding your feet and growing so you need to optimize your opportunities!