Why just part time?

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The past month or so, in my area the only job postings that might consider new grads (as in, either they say they are entry level, or do not specifically state needing at least 1 year or more minimum experience) are part time jobs. I showed up to interview for one recently, but was told as soon as I arrived that it had been given away already. But they talked to me anyway - heck I drove a full hour at 70 mph to get there.

Why is this? Are there any NM that know the reasons behind it? Most NGs need full time. Isn't full time rec for NGs anyway? I had tried to find out at that previous interview, thinking they wanted to ease their NGs into things. That maybe the option for FT would arise if you oriented well, etc. This was not the case. It was permanent PT. Wouldn't it just be maddening with so many PT new grads -- overwhelming the floor, finding enough preceptors, etc.?

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I don't mean to sound harsh, but you seem to think you're entitled to something because you are a new grad. You are not.

There are only the jobs there are. Part time jobs are being created because they don't offer benefits. Full time positions are being eliminated to create part time positions from them, and full time positions lost to firings or attrition are being converted to part time or left unfilled altogether. It's simple economics. Employers are doing this to keep profits flowing and cost centers (nurses) at minimum.

This is how it is.

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Specializes in Psych/CD/Medical/Emp Hlth/Staff ED.

Where I work new grads are actually required to work a 1.0 for a year (it was 1.5 years until recently). There are definite advantages to hiring new grads as full time, the biggest being having them work a long string of shifts so they can follow patients throughout their stay, only seeing small snapshots of the patient care process doesn't have the same benefit.

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I've been seeing the same thing in my hospital...our NM has been splitting open full-time positions on all shifts into two or three part-time positions. I think it's probably to increase the available floor labor pool so that (costly) float and per-diems can be used less....and of course, the hospital doesn't have to chip in for benefits if you're not full-time, so that's a huge cost-saver for sure....

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Specializes in LTC.

I started part-time as a new grad. I didn't want full-time.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

Where I work, if you work part-time you still are provided with benefits. If you work prn no benefits offered.

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Employers hire for part time to avoid paying out benefits. One of my employers made certain that no more than 32 hours a week were provided to avoid getting anywhere near overtime. If it suits the employer, they will hire you to work four hours a week.

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TakeOne, sweetie, you are talkin to someone with many many years working experience. The last of it in a managing healthcare position. I am known for giving more than I get. Snarkiness aside, I think my OP has some valid questions. Orientation, becoming a good nurse... becoming clinically competent. Surviving on an RN salary and the future of nursing. Unlike your usual corporate job, lives being at stake in ours, these things are important.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

It just depends what hospital you work and the company. All are different. There are some that are better than others. Some research have to be done if you looking for what is right for you.

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Specializes in LTC.
TakeOne, sweetie, you are talkin to someone with many many years working experience. The last of it in a managing healthcare position. I am known for giving more than I get. Snarkiness aside, I think my OP has some valid questions. Orientation, becoming a good nurse... becoming clinically competent. Surviving on an RN salary and the future of nursing. Unlike your usual corporate job, lives being at stake in ours, these things are important.

I had a great orientation and I feel I am starting to grasp the act of becoming a good clinically competent nurse. Even though I spent my entire shift last night running around like a chicken with no head, I did not want to cry once last night.

Part-time is great for me because I am back to school now, I would not want full-time as I would have to work 5 days a week. I'd go batty.

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Specializes in HH, Med/surg- liver & kidney transplant, ortho, ++.

To the OP, I am sorry you are having a hard time finding a full time job. I am in the same boat. I just graduated and got licensed in June. I have 1 job which is on-call. I actually started with 2 on-call jobs and stayed pretty busy between the 2 for a while. I ended up quitting one of the on-call jobs because it was total chaos. I didn't want to quit but it was the best thing for me at the time as a new grad.

I live in Oregon and the situation is similar. I had an interview last week for a job that was listed as part time on the website. I get to the interview and was told the job is "part time on call". Not sure what is meant by that but they liked me enough to ask me to a second interview. So I am going to find out more about the job.

Hospitals are worse. Most hospitals in the Portland area are only hiring new grads with BSN, or at least giving them the advantage over an ASN new grad (which is me). One of the major hospital chains here in Portland state on their website that as of 2018 no new grad RNs will be hired unless they have a BSN. Hospitals and LTC facilities are getting more and more picky because they can.

A word of advice to all of those who have their ASN/ADN however you call it. Go back to school and get your BSN. I know that is one of my goals. I am hoping after working for a little while and getting some of my credit card debt paid down that within a year I can start an online BSN program.

Good luck you OP in finding a job. Don't give up. Do some networking, contact your nursing school instructors and preceptors see if they have any leads. Friends of friends too. Any contact helps.

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I don't mean to sound harsh, but you seem to think you're entitled to something because you are a new grad. You are not.

:uhoh3: A little rude, don't you think? I'd love to know how you came up with that assumption when the OP is asking why employers are wanting to hire NG nurses part time.

Anyways, OP, I'm not sure if it's to avoid benefits. My hospital pays full benefits at 20 hours a week. But it could be a reason.

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