Finding temporary work (Nurse)

[livewire516]

Hey gang,

I'm trying to figure out short-term work until I can start working as a nurse practitioner.

I recently moved to Pennsylvania from Massachusetts, where I moved in with family until I secure a full-time Family Medicine (FNP) job. I am waiting for PA's nursing board to approve my NP license - I recently got my RN license from them which took several weeks longer than they said it would.

Does anyone has ideas where I can find short term work? While I would assume I'd have best chances working on a temporary basis with my RN license, aka per diem. The snag here is that I went straight from getting my RN to grad school for my NP, so I don't have any paid work experience as an RN. I'm volunteering in free clinics as an RN in the meantime, but I need income. I know there are less acute roles where an RN with little experience can work part time, but I know that many places would want you to orient beforehand.

I'm willing to work in a capacity other than RN, so any ideas are appreciated, but I do value the experience and networking opportunities of being in some sort of healthcare setting.

Thanks - let me know if more context/info would help in answering

[TacheTastic]

Hey,
I am in the UK, so this may be completely useless. Here we have lots of healthcare staff a step or two down from nurses. It's what I currently do while I finish my nurse training. Here there are always agencies crying out for staff, and once you get your police clearance you can start almost immediately. Is this something that would work for you?

[kei te pai]

And I am retired, and in NZ, so this might not be much use either! Have you looked at any home nursing agencies? When I travelled I found short term work nursing people in their own homes. Mostly elderly, but some post op/convalescent care, some newborn mother and baby care, some end of life care.Much less stressful than agency work in hospitals.

[Morning Glory]

Have you applied at any big teaching hospitals? Pick a place where you might like to work once you get your advanced practice license, and see if you can work there as an RN in the meantime. Take the worst hours on the shittiest medical floor if you have to. They might be ok with the short timeframe if you plan to stay there in a different role, and the name will look good on your resume. If this fails, try long term care, they are always desperate for help.

 I think you might have trouble getting hired as an NP with no direct care RN experience. In my neck of the woods you can't even get into NP school without a couple years as an RN.  Some time on the floor will help you be more confident in your assessment and prioritization skills too.

[livewire516]

Thanks for everyone's input.

LTC and Homecare are definitely on my radar.

I do plan to apply to the area teaching hospitals; however, it's tough being brought on as an RN to med-surg because they're still going to want me to stick around long enough to justify orientation. I'm a Family Medicine NP - most postings for outpatient positions place little emphasis on RN experience. A few inpatient positions I looked at that express a desire for nursing experience, but most of those also want an Acute Care NP cert. (which I don't have) so the situation is moot.

I should give serious consideration to starting in an institution if I'd like to stay there - I'm less sure if I'm inclining more towards primary care. Surely, I want to be in a practice that is affiliated with a good system but since all of the consolidation forced through the ACA I'm unsure how much the affiliation influences primary care practices.

[Proud Foot]

What are PA's rules with regards to physician supervision for FNPs? I would suggest trying to meet as many PCPs as you can and see if you hit it off with any of them. If so then meet with them and see if you can work something out where you can be on staff with them until you get your NP license approved and then move into the provider role at that time. 

[Enigma]

My cousin is a traveling nurse and him and his girlfriend travel the country in an RV.  They work for 'FlexCare Medical Staffing' agency that .  The agency lines up gigs for him.  With that being said maybe they have something that would be considered temp for your area.

[Enigma]

Just looked it up "FlexCare is a nationwide leader in the staffing of travel nurses, therapists, and allied clinicians. With access to thousands of facilities around the country, our mission is to deliver premier travel staffing solutions with integrity and transparency. FlexCare’s exceptional service and reputation make us one of the most awarded travel healthcare staffing companies each year by industry authorities like Highway Hypodermics, BluePipes, and Travel Nursing Central."  Lots of 13 week gigs in PA

[livewire516]

What are PA's rules with regards to physician supervision for FNPs? I would suggest trying to meet as many PCPs as you can and see if you hit it off with any of them. If so then meet with them and see if you can work something out where you can be on staff with them until you get your NP license approved and then move into the provider role at that time.

You bring up a good point. Pennsylvania is under a "collaborative agreement" model. Legally, I will be practicing under supervision of a physician.

Thanks Enigma - I may very well look into travel nursing (there are often shortages where I currently live so travel won't be necessary). Originally, I would've said 13 wks would be too long as I expect my NP license to come back any day (although I wouldn't hold my breath for Harrisburg) but even if I get an offer sooner than later, there's generally a delay as they get me registered with the insurers they work with.

[Beriberi]

I'm not sure what your local market looks like, but it seems unlikely you will immediately secure work as soon as your FNP license arrives.  In my area, we have a glut of FNPs and won't consider those that do not have significant paid clinical experience.  Also, you may need a DEA number and credentialling as a provider - it may still be months until you have the paperwork in place to be employed as an FNP.

I would find a paid, full-time RN gig now. If you get a great FNP positions, you can leave - people do that. But I think that may be farther away than you think. If you do have difficulty finding a job, current work experience as an RN will only help your application.