Should I go with the full time job or the 2 part time jobs? Really need advice please

[nwarlo]

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I am really struggling to make a decision and any insight would be very much appreciated!! Sorry in advance for the complicated nature of my situation.

I worked as an EMT during school, now during my gap year I am trying to work as a scribe. I have the opportunity to work a full-time scribe job at an ER 40min-1hr away (depending on traffic), OR 2 part time scribe jobs (one outpatient, one ER) that are 10 minutes and 30 minutes away, respectively. Same pay all around (minimum wage), doing this for the experience of course. Whatever I decide, I will only be working there one year. I am trying to rack up the hours, and I need the money (it's a little but it really helps), which is why one part time job is not an option.


Full Time PROS:

-Simplicity of working one job

-Benefits (albeit pretty lame due to "experience-driven" nature of job. I was thinking benefits shouldn't be such deciding factor since it is so temporay. They offer "401K + meh health insurance after a certain period of time, but no PTO, paid vacation, any other types of insurance, or anything else.")

-Presumably more time spent with doctors (= potentially better letter of rec)

-Hospital seems nice

Full Time CONS:

-Long commute (less sleep, more money on gas + $5 toll)

-Irregular (ER) hours (e.g. 10 PM - 6 AM; 6 AM - 3 PM; 12 PM - 10 PM, some weekends.)


2 Part Times PROS:

-Short commute (more time for life stuff + sleep, less money spent)

-More stable hours (the outpatient job is 8 AM - 5 PM MWF, the other part time has the same irregular (ER) hours + weekends as the full time job, but I would only be working here 2-3 days a week.)

-Potentially freedom to work a different part time job if I find that I don't like one of them

2 Part Times CONS:

-The jobs make you sign a non-compete clause. Technically I am not supposed to be working both of these jobs at the same time. However, these are large companies that operate in many different states, and this clause does NOT apply in the state I live in (California). In California, non-competes are null and void and not enforceable. However I am still a little bit uncomfortable about signing something I would be violating, even if it is null and void.

-I don't really like the hospital at one of the part time jobs (however, I am a fan of the other hospital!)

-Presumably less time spent with doctors (=potentially worse letter of rec due to less "quality" time spent)

-Potentially more complicated balancing 2 part times?

-One of the jobs is at an outpatient clinic... would this be too boring/minimize the learning experience?


Some more context: I just got married and I have discussed all of the above with my husband. He said we can make it work either way but I am a little worried about the greater volume of irregular hours for the full time job. I feel like it would take away from some quality time with my new husband. I would be willing to make it work however, as this is a temporary position... one year isn't THAT long.

Another important note: the $ spent on gas and commuting really adds up when put in the context that I would be making minimum wage. With our dual income we can make it work but any extra $ in the bank would be great.

When it comes to the letter of rec thing, not sure if I am overthinking it. I have made a good impression on part time jobs in the past and gotten great LORs from those, so maybe I don't need to be working full time to get a good letter of rec... thoughts?


Thank you SO much to anyone who has read this wall of text. I desperately need your advice! Please let me know if anything is confusing and I will try to clarify it right away.

 

[nwarlo]

I was initially leaning towards full time due to apparent simplicity. But the proximity of the part times is so tempting. 10 min vs 1 hr, and all the extra sleep, time, and $ that entails. And the hours.. with the full time, I could be working a 6am shift one day then overnight the next day, which I can handle, but seems like it could get pretty draining. However, I am worried about the outpatient job being too boring... even though I would be working simultaneously at an ER, I would hope for both jobs to be a great learning experience.

 

[nwarlo]

Full time job with benefits >> part time jobs. Though, find a better full time job. You also don’t need to get clinical experience through a job. You can get clinical experience volunteering on weekends through volunteerinng and shadowing.

Thanks for replying! Why do you say that? ("Full time job with benefits >> part time jobs"). It makes sense on a surface level but when I think deeper on it, I need some convincing, especially considering that the benefits are pretty lame.

I actually have extensive volunteering experience under my belt. They were extremely fulfilling and rewarding but I actually need these paid hours. To be honest I am actually pre-PA, not MD, but I couldn't find any other active forums 🙁 Hope this post won't get removed. PA school requires paid hours, and scribing is a common way to get that.

 

[nwarlo]

Finding a better full time job is easier said than done. I spent months applying to many, many places. On top of the extensive EMT + volunteer experience I mentioned, I did research, won a couple awards, and graduated top of my school. I am saying this to show that I really did try my best, but I still wasn't getting hired anywhere. I am actually really looking forward to scribing. It's a pretty exploitative job with bad pay and often bad hours, but even the people I know who complain the most about it say it was a great learning experience. I'm willing to put up with that for the experience. Now with these 3 options on the table, I just want to make the best choice!

 

[nwarlo]

Because I’ve worked multiple jobs for no money and got clinical experience for it. Basically, I’ve done what you were proposing. However, I only planned to do this for six months (turned out to be 9), so I didn’t feel comfortable taking on a salaried position for so little time.

You have a year. Use it. That’s plenty of time for a salaried position. You said you already worked as an EMT during college. If PA schools actually require that hands-on clinical experience to be paid, then that’s ridiculous. If you volunteered as an EMT you were doing no different work then someone who got paid as an EMT. And I think you could reasonably make that argument in an application.

I also went through EMT training, but never actually worked as an EMT. I did the part-time scribing, and I absolutely hated it (and I’ve worked for other jobs besides that one—it was the worst one as far as culture and policies). I’ve been there and wouldn’t recommend it. Working for the short-term with those jobs is fine, but only do so until you get a job with your degree.

Thank you so much for the insight. About the EMT job - it was paid, but I need more hours of paid experience in order to be considered a competitive applicant. I will definitely keep your advice in mind!

 

[nwarlo]

I get it. The job market is rough, especially for basic science majors. You may need to turn your expectations down. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as it once was to get a $40k+/yr job. You are already settling for underemployment with scribing or EMT work. Lab techs are options. Also, you’ve got to be targetting companies through their own websites, not job boards. Did you go to school in the area/state? Schools often have pathways with certain companies for hiring. Personal connections also help immensely.

I did go to school in the same state I am applying for jobs, but since I strictly need clinical experience, there just aren't many great options for someone at my level. It is a steep climb from one rung to the next when it comes to jobs that provide patient experience.. starting with scribe & other minimal qualification jobs, then cert jobs like EMT or medical assistant, then professional jobs that are out of my grasp. I have been using job boards though, didn't even think of using the company website. I really appreciate the tip!

 

[Catalystik]

I am really struggling to make a decision and any insight would be very much appreciated!! Sorry in advance for the complicated nature of my situation.

I worked as an EMT during school, now during my gap year I am trying to work as a scribe. I have the opportunity to work a full-time scribe job at an ER 40min-1hr away (depending on traffic), OR 2 part time scribe jobs (one outpatient, one ER) that are 10 minutes and 30 minutes away, respectively. Same pay all around (minimum wage), doing this for the experience of course. Whatever I decide, I will only be working there one year. I am trying to rack up the hours, and I need the money (it's a little but it really helps), which is why one part time job is not an option.


Full Time PROS:

-Simplicity of working one job

-Benefits (albeit pretty lame due to "experience-driven" nature of job. I was thinking benefits shouldn't be such deciding factor since it is so temporay. They offer "401K + meh health insurance after a certain period of time, but no PTO, paid vacation, any other types of insurance, or anything else.")

-Presumably more time spent with doctors (= potentially better letter of rec)

-Hospital seems nice

Full Time CONS:

-Long commute (less sleep, more money on gas + $5 toll)

-Irregular (ER) hours (e.g. 10 PM - 6 AM; 6 AM - 3 PM; 12 PM - 10 PM, some weekends.)


2 Part Times PROS:

-Short commute (more time for life stuff + sleep, less money spent)

-More stable hours (the outpatient job is 8 AM - 5 PM MWF, the other part time has the same irregular (ER) hours + weekends as the full time job, but I would only be working here 2-3 days a week.)

-Potentially freedom to work a different part time job if I find that I don't like one of them

2 Part Times CONS:

-The jobs make you sign a non-compete clause. Technically I am not supposed to be working both of these jobs at the same time. However, these are large companies that operate in many different states, and this clause does NOT apply in the state I live in (California). In California, non-competes are null and void and not enforceable. However I am still a little bit uncomfortable about signing something I would be violating, even if it is null and void.

-I don't really like the hospital at one of the part time jobs (however, I am a fan of the other hospital!)

-Presumably less time spent with doctors (=potentially worse letter of rec due to less "quality" time spent)

-Potentially more complicated balancing 2 part times?

-One of the jobs is at an outpatient clinic... would this be too boring/minimize the learning experience?


Some more context: I just got married and I have discussed all of the above with my husband. He said we can make it work either way but I am a little worried about the greater volume of irregular hours for the full time job. I feel like it would take away from some quality time with my new husband. I would be willing to make it work however, as this is a temporary position... one year isn't THAT long.

Another important note: the $ spent on gas and commuting really adds up when put in the context that I would be making minimum wage. With our dual income we can make it work but any extra $ in the bank would be great.

When it comes to the letter of rec thing, not sure if I am overthinking it. I have made a good impression on part time jobs in the past and gotten great LORs from those, so maybe I don't need to be working full time to get a good letter of rec... thoughts?


Thank you SO much to anyone who has read this wall of text. I desperately need your advice! Please let me know if anything is confusing and I will try to clarify it right away.

You make a good argument for taking the two part-time jobs. Less commute hassles/expense, better lifestyle with new spouse, more variety, ability to drop one job to find another if it doesn't work out, as you'd still have the other job and wouldn't be completely unemployed.

 

[WhatsUpPup]

One thing thats worth pointing out is that you won't get overtime with your two part time jobs. If you really want to "rack up the hours" like you said, you may as well get paid extra for it and go full time.

 

[Goro]

Full time job with benefits >> part time jobs. Though, find a better full time job. You also don’t need to get clinical experience through a job. You can get clinical experience volunteering on weekends through volunteerinng and shadowing.

This is the advice I'd give my own children.