Working full-time with a part time job??

[JessiekRN]

Hi everyone! I have a question and am hoping for some input.. I just passed my boards July 15th and am starting my first job September 8th, on a med-surg floor at nights (7p-8a). I was talking to my parents, who are both workaholics, and they seem to think that working 3 thirteen hour shifts a week will leave me with plenty of extra time to find another, part-time job. My question is this- while I obviously would wait a few months to settle into my first job before looking for another, is it realistic/ manageable to have another part-time job, or does 3 thirteen hour shifts leave you completely exhausted? I would just like advice because I myself am definitely not a workaholic but the extra $ would be helpful.. I know I can wait and see how everything plays out but I was just wondering how many RN's out there working 3 x/week have another job as well. Thank you so much in advance- any advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated..

[HealthyRN]

Working both a full-time and part-time job is definitely not advisable for a new nurse. Working 3 12-hr shifts per week left me beyond exhausted, even after I was comfortable in my position. For a new nurse, it is going to take at least a year before you are really comfortable. Besides, most hospitals are not going to hire a new nurse as part-time or contingent because they want you to have the experience first. If you want to pick up extra hours or overtime, most hospitals will offer you this option after you are off orientation.

I know of plenty of nurses that have two jobs, but it is usually if one is part-time or full-time and then the other contingent or maybe two contingent positions. It would be very difficult to hold both a full-time and part-time job because there would be too many scheduling conflicts. You would end up working every single weekend.

I would explain to your parents that nursing is not like other jobs. There is a reason that hospitals offer 3 shifts per week.

[JessiekRN]

Thank you so much. This definitely made things a little bit clearer! I am sorry if this is a very dumb question, but what do you mean by "contingent"? Is this the same as per diem? Thank you again!!