Working Part Time in Retail Healthcare
I worked in primary care for a number of years working 4
days a week 8–5, which is the norm for most medical providers in clinic
settings. I do remember the days of
staff nursing where I worked three 12-hour shifts during the week and fewer shifts during the week if I worked a weekend. There are pros and cons to both options. I think retail care has merged the better of the two, and then some.
As a retail NP I work 12 hour shifts during the week and
8 hours if I work a weekend. I can work two to three shifts per week, during the day, and still have a number of days off during
the week for appointments, hobbies, going to my children's events, and just
enjoying life. I have the option to work
more weekend shifts or fewer, depending on my needs. All the NPs enjoy this flexible staffing that
allows us to truly have a work–life balance.
Many NPs choose to work as needed or part time, which is
virtually unheard of in most primary care or specialty care office practices,
but it's a wonderful option for NPs who enjoyed the flexibility of their nursing
career without the nights or PM shifts. NPs who have children or might want to teach and practice also find the
flexibility wonderful. I know
many of the NPs in retail started as a PRN employee because they wanted to "get
their feet wet" and then loved it and went part time or full time; I did just
that. Many of them stay PRN because they
have another job with the 8–5 hours, but they really want to have the experience of
working in the innovative environment that is retail health.
Retail health has made great strides in improving the
access to health care, but has also worked hard to provide a very life-friendly
work environment for NPs. Whatever you seek it is important to find a balance
and working in retail has afforded me that opportunity!