working PT as a new grad

[np_wannabe]

Hi Everyone!

Well, I just got accepted to a one-year ABSN program, and am already thinking about working when I finish. I'm hearing stories that most hospitals don't hire new grads on a PT basis--you pretty much work FT as a new grad.

Has anyone else heard this or found this to be true??

Thanks.

[TraumaICURN]

When I worked as a graduate nurse, we were required to work full time, but I think it was because of the benefits. If we were to drop down below full time, we would lose things like our loan payback.

[TazziRN, RN]

New grads need the full time status to learn, like total immersion. That's the time to put together everything you learned in school and have it all make sense. You can't do that on a part time basis. New grad programs are often 6-12 weeks long, as a part-timer you would be in preceptorship for a loooong time.

[hikernurse]

Where I am going to be working (NICU) when I graduate full-time is required for the same reason Tazzi stated. They have a specific training period, new grads start on the same date and that's that :).

On the med/surg floors, though, they do have a PT option, although they prefer full-timers. Especially if you've worked as an LPN (which I did) they figure you have a good running start and are willing to let preceptorship take longer.

If you can't work FT, it's worth asking around.