so basically i was wondering if you work full time on one floor can you apply for prn on another floor? i have a interview with another floor (behavioral health) and im currently on a med/surg renal/GYN floor an HCA hospital. im only asking because i have been at this job almost 2 months and im about to come off orientation for the med surg floor. but my passion is psych. this is my first hospital job and i really want the experience before i apply to grad school in fall of 2016 for psych NP. i have herd managers from your original floor have to approve you to work prn on another floor? but wasn't sure if thats true.

It depends on hospital policy. Where I worked last, doing so would put you in overtime, so they did not allow it. However, if you got a prn job at the sister hospital it was OK. As far as picking up overtime on another floor, that usually has to be approved by both unit managers.

Agree with PP - it all depends on your employer's "2nd job" policy. If the two roles are different enough, it may work. But if you would basically be working in a staff nurse in both instances, it probably won't be possible. Another issue - PRN roles are usually reserved for experienced nurses who are 'good to go' because there is little to no orientation/training provided.

If Psych is your passion & goal, I would advise you to talk to that manager and let him/her know. There may well be some opportunities on the horizon.

Best of luck to you in your career advancement.

No it won't be allowed. I work for hca also and have for many years. You can pick up shifts on another unit but you can't officially apply to work on two units. You can only have one home unit. Ex. I worked in peds and picked up shifts in the peds er. I was per diem so basically made my own schedule and i only had to do three shifts a schedule on my home floor, peds. Hca won't even let you work at a sister hospital because the issue of who picks up the overtime costs will be an issue. You will usually have to be employed on a floor for 6 months before you can transfer to a different unit anyways.