Working two jobs

Spiker, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 11, 2014

I'm not working 2 jobs currently, but when my 2 daughters were in high school, preparing to go to college, I did. I had been an OR RN for many years when I joined our local fire dept., going to EMT school. I eventually continued on to Paramedic, as did quite a few other RNs I worked with (mostly ER & ICU). We worked for the city's ambulance company, running emergency calls as well as numerous inter-facility transports that often required RN care. I worked my way up to Senior Medic, which required working full time, so I went to work @ the firehouse where I was stationed at 7 AM Saturday, & stayed straight through to Monday 7AM. We had bedrooms, so we were allowed to sleep whenever we could, as we did have to go out at all hours. Needless to say, by the time Monday rolled around, I was pretty tired, but it was a good tired. I felt like I made a difference in peoples' lives. So, go home, jump into bed & try to sleep till 1:30 or so, shower, eat, & go to work 3-11 in the OR for the next 5 days, often taking overnight call there as well. Then repeat the following week! And so on, for 10 years straight. I was tired, but neither of my girls had to take out student loans for college! I quit the full-time Medic job when I turned 50, as a gift to me. Looking back, it was hard on everyone, not just me. I ended up getting divorced, because we obviously grew far apart. My girls say they regretted me missing some of their teenage years, but still appreciate the help through college. I did buy myself a fancy sports car, a TransAm with all bells & whistles, & 350 hp engine, as a treat for all the years of little to no sleep.

I couldn't keep that pace up now if you paid me! But, at my age (63) I'm cutting way back on hours & collecting my Social Security. Those 10 years of working 2 jobs has paid off!

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Jun 11, 2014

I have worked 2 jobs several different places. For awhile I worked 7 days a week. 5 - 8hr days a week in an outpt setting and 2- 8 or 12 hr days a week PDN. Then I worked in an LTACH 3 or 4 -12 hr days and PDN, then another outpt setting 5- 8hr days and 2 -4hr sessions instructing MA students. I can't afford to sit at home because we spend too much when I'm home

kiszi, RN · Jun 11, 2014

My primary job is in PDN and I have one full time client. I also have a PRN job with a LTC facility, and the hours vary from none to 2 shifts a week. I picked up 2 eight-hour shifts at the LTC this week and will end up with 53 hours total. I'll still have a day off, so it's not so bad.

I have 2 kids, 2 and 6. I get to have dinner with them almost every night, except like today where I work 3-11. It's hard to be away so much but I only plan to do this for 6 months or so. I plan to return to school next year for BSN and haven't ruled out grad school, so now is the time to save!

Asystole RN · Jun 11, 2014

I currently work 3 jobs.

I have a full-time Mon-Fri job, a weekend Per Diem, and an anytime Per Diem.

70hrs or so a week on average? Two kids at home, wife is a nurse who works at home.

Was working in home infusion during the week and at a hospital on the weekends but now I am in sales/education during the week and home infusion on the weekends. My anytime Per Diem is as a contract vascular access nurse so it is by case and the hours tend to be unpredictable.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2014

I currently work 2 jobs. I work a full-time 3 12hr shift a week position in an ER. I am also working an on call position as a forensic nurse.

SweetSouthernLove, ASN, BSN · Jun 12, 2014

I also currently work two jobs. Both are part-time 2 12 hour shifts a week. Two different hospitals. One in Hem/Onc and the other in CCU. I also volunteer in one of the hospitals in their Ambulatory Surgery Center. Both are also night jobs, so I get weekend/diff. on both, which is awesome. I can stay on what is normal for my sleep schedule. My husband on the other hand, doesn't ever even see me. We have to schedule time together. I am also doing this for extra cash since I have the time, it isn't really a necessity for me, but it does help me pay for student loans, extra whatevers that come up and a chance to put some money away. I say as long as you have a day off to recharge that its totally worth it.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2014

I currently do not work two jobs.

Back in 2008 I worked 12-hour weekend night shifts at a nursing home as a 1st job, and my 2nd job involved five 8-hour day shifts per week at another nursing home.

In 2010 I worked 12-hour weekend night shifts at a nursing home while working three 12-hour night shifts during the week at a freestanding rehabilitation hospital.

In 2012 I worked five 8-hour night shifts per week at a nursing home while working weekend 12-hour night shifts at the freestanding rehabilitation hospital.

Nightowl_lpn · Jun 12, 2014

Thecommuter that sounds so busy!

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2014

I worked two jobs as an LPN, full time for an insurance company (40 per week) and 16 hrs per week in a SNF. I was also going to school full time for the LPN to RN bridge. (husband, 2 children, blah blah blah)

Currently I work full time for the insurnance company and 16 per week for an outpatient office. And going to school part time for my RN t BSN.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jun 12, 2014

OMG. I feel like a lazy cow chewing my cud only working 40 hrs a week!

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 12, 2014

Most of the nurses I know work two or more (!) jobs, but usually they will just work one full-time job and a PRN/casual job on the side to supplement their full-time wages. I know some who have side businesses or other jobs not related to healthcare.

The beauty of working three days/week...you have four days off to do whatever!