What are the Different Part-Time Nursing Jobs?

Part-time nursing jobs may attract professional nurses who want a flexible schedule. This flexibility may help nurses manage personal responsibilities while remaining active in the nursing field. Generally, the primary difference between full-time and part-time nursing jobs is the number of hours worked during a standard work week. Travel nursing jobs offer another form of flexibility. Similar to temporary work assignments, part-time nursing jobs of this nature involve traveling to different medical facilities — sometimes in a different city or country — for a preset duration, which could last for a few days, weeks, or months.

Part-time nursing jobs are typically not different from working full-time, with the exception of the number of hours worked on a daily or weekly basis. Part-time nursing jobs may require the same education and skill as full-time nursing positions. A person who decides to work part-time may look for positions in a variety of medical settings such as hospitals and doctor’s offices.

Flexible schedules can make part-time nursing jobs attractive to some nurses who juggle careers and family obligations. Most medical facilities schedule round-the-clock shifts. A patient’s need for health care services is not always restricted to regular business hours. As a result, part-time nursing jobs might be available during the day, night, weekend, or a combination of the three.

Part-time travel nursing jobs could be with critical care facilities, in a rural hospital, or at a health care facility that has a shortage of nurses. Nurses typically work for staffing agencies that specialize in providing travel nurses to fill the staffing gaps for short-term or long-term assignments. Often, a travel nurse must hit the ground running, as little or no orientation is provided. A travel nurse is expected to be able to quickly adapt to the medical setting.

Working in a variety of settings may provide a tremendous amount of hands-on experience for travel nurses. The diverse work settings may provide exposure for a nurse who is new in the nursing field. Other opportunities could also exist for a new or seasoned nurse that she might not have received by staying in one location.

In-home care for elderly, children, and adults with disabilities or a debilitating medical condition is another type of part-time nursing job. This type of care may also occur in shifts as disabled or chronically ill patients normally need 24-hour care. A nurse could work part-time for several days during the week, or alternate weekly schedules with other nurses.