Part Time RN Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

RN stands for registered nurse. Part-time RNs provide care for patients with illnesses and injuries. They often work in conjunction with physicians to develop treatment plans to help the patient become healthy again. Part-time RNs have the same job duties as full-time RNs; the main difference is that part-timers typically work thirty hours or less per week. Part-time RNs are not able to diagnose illnesses; once the doctor or other supervising health professional has determined what is ailing the patient, the RN is able to work with the patient to explain what the treatment plan entails and their role in recovery. As a part-time RN, your responsibilities may include documenting medical history, administering medications, and checking patient vital signs. You may also advise patients and families about how to continue treatment at home and how to prevent future illnesses.

Part-time RNs, or registered nurses, must follow the same educational path as full-time RNs. First, they must complete an accredited program and earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which typically takes two years, or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Those who wish to advance to higher-level nursing positions also need to hold a master's degree. Once you have finished your degree, you need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). This exam tests you on the basic skills used in the nursing field, such as patient care, prevention and detection of disease, and administering medication. All states require RNs, including part-time RNs, to obtain a license; state qualifications vary, so check the requirements where you live.

Part-time RNs, short for registered nurses, may work in many different healthcare settings. They may work in physicians offices and other outpatient medical facilities. Hospitals hire a large staff of both full-time and part-time RNs to support the doctors and other health care professionals. Long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, need RNs to provide care for the residents and to administer medications. Home care nurses visit patients in their homes, while traveling nurses go from place to place whenever there is an urgent need for more nurses. You also find part-time RNs in the military, government agencies, schools, and community centers.