Part-time nursing roles should bring balance. But in hospitals, “part-time” often looks a lot like full-time. You’re still locked into fixed 8- or 12-hour shifts. You’re still pulled into nights, weekends, or holidays. And you’re still subject to last-minute call-ins when staffing runs thin.
It’s no wonder that 65% of hospital nurses report high levels of burnout, a number that has only risen since the pandemic. Even nurses who cut back to part-time often don’t find the relief they hoped for.
As one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare, homecare offers flexible, predictable, and deeply rewarding part-time nursing roles. Here’s why more and more nurses are making the switch:
1. It’s truly flexible part-time nursing work (seriously!)
Part-time hospital nurses are often scheduled at .6 to .8 FTE, usually two or three 8–12 hour shifts per week. On paper, that looks manageable. In reality, those shifts often include mandatory weekends, holidays, or evenings. You may also be asked to stay late or pick up extra hours if the floor is short-staffed. Flexibility is often the first promise hospitals break.
Homecare is different. Instead of being locked into rotating shifts, you choose blocks of time that work for you. Parents can take daytime shifts while children are at school. Students can work evenings around classes. Some nurses pick up occasional weekend or overnight shifts to supplement another job, while others settle into steady part-time schedules that match family routines.
Because you care for one client at a time, swapping or adjusting shifts is far less disruptive. Flexibility isn’t just a perk in homecare — it’s the foundation of the model.
2. Enjoy greater autonomy than other part-time nursing roles
In the hospital, part-time nurses often function as “fill-ins.” You cover shifts where staffing is thin, float between units, and have little say in assignments. While necessary for the hospital system, it can make your limited hours feel scattered and less rewarding.
In homecare, even part-time nurses carry ownership. You’re matched with a client, often working with them consistently over weeks or months. You make independent decisions, adapt care to the patient’s environment, and build confidence in your clinical judgment. And while you work independently, your agency is only a call away for support.
This autonomy is especially meaningful when you’re only working a few shifts a week. Instead of feeling supplemental, your hours feel essential.
3. Predictable scheduling means fewer surprises
In hospitals, unpredictability follows you no matter how many hours you work. You might be floated to another floor, asked to cover a holiday, or required to stay late. A 24-hour work week can quickly bleed into 30, making it nearly impossible to plan family dinners, school drop-offs, or even rest.
In homecare, the opposite is true. Your days are focused on one patient, in one home, with clearly defined responsibilities. When your shift ends, you go home — not an hour later after a mountain of unfinished charting. That predictability is what makes part-time feel part-time, giving you the confidence to plan your week around work rather than in spite of it.
4. It’s part-time nursing… with full-time relationships
Hospital part-time nurses often feel like they barely know their patients. With quick discharges and rotating shifts, you may only see a patient once — never long enough to know if your care made a difference.
Homecare changes that. Even part-time nurses see the same clients consistently, often becoming a trusted part of the family’s life. You witness progress, celebrate milestones, and provide continuity that simply isn’t possible in a hospital setting.
For nurses only working a handful of hours each week, these relationships make those hours count. Instead of checking boxes, you see your presence directly improving someone’s quality of life.
As Hiawatha nurse Lynne describes:
“I feel far more rewarded by the work I provide one person than I did caring for many. There is far less stress and far more time to give to each task.”
5. Homecare is far less stressful than other part-time nursing roles
Many nurses cut back to part-time work in hospitals hoping to relieve stress, only to find the same workload crammed into fewer shifts. The patient ratios are still high, the pace is still relentless, and the exhaustion still follows them home.
Homecare part-time work feels different. The slower pace, one-on-one care, and predictable schedules allow you to recharge even as you earn income. Driving to visits or adapting to different home environments has its challenges, but compared to the chaos of hospital life, it’s a calmer, more sustainable rhythm.
That difference is life-changing for nurses balancing parenthood, retirement, school, or another job.
Who Part-Time Homecare Roles Are Perfect For
- Parents: Balance work with school schedules, childcare availability, and family routines.
- Retirees: Stay active and purposeful with lighter caseloads and meaningful patient relationships.
- Students: Fit shifts around classes and gain hands-on experience in autonomy, assessment, and 1:1 care.
- Full-Time Nurses: Add supplemental hours in a calmer setting, balancing out the stress of inpatient work.
Discover the Best Part Time Nursing Jobs with Hiawatha Homecare
Not all homecare agencies are the same. At Hiawatha, we believe part-time nursing is just as vital as full-time. Whether you’re giving a few hours a week or building a steady part-time schedule, you’ll be supported, respected, and known by name. As a small, family-owned agency, we understand what’s at stake for nurses and families. That’s why we work with you to design a schedule that complements your life, not consumes it.
Want to join us? Here’s how to get started:
- Explore openings across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
- Apply online in just a few minutes.
- Start working a schedule that truly fits your life.
Ready to trade stress for balance? Explore our open positions across SE Minnesota and Western WI, and join the Hiawatha Homecare family!
FIND MY PERFECT FIT: APPLY TODAY!
Curious if homecare nursing is right for YOU?
Download our FREE Homecare Guide to discover why so many nurses say they wish they’d made the switch sooner!
