End of Per Diem?

[hdawnRN]

I am not a per diem nurse, however, the large hospital organization that work for is ending per diem nursing, presumably at the beginning of the next year. We have been told that all hospitals are straying away from per diem, so those nurses would not be able to find those types of jobs in other hospitals either. This is some stipulation resulting from an Obama Care view... But many nurses are skeptical. Have any of you been urged to transition from the per diem position before you're forced to?

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We are not hiring anymore PRN, as they leave their position is closed.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

TONS of PD openings in my area...it may just be certain orgs don't have it in their budget to do PD...NOTHING to do with the ACA at ALL...

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Again.. Just another blame game tactic..

[exit96]

I do know that the Hospital (Health System) I work for, which is a big one, no longer differentiates between floor RN wages and per diem. No perks for per diem here....interesting topic.

[guestnurse]

Yes..it is Obamacare's fault! My hospital is cutting my prn hours down to 2 shifts a week starting Jan 1, 2014. I normally work 4 shifts a week..at least! sometimes 5! I can't live off 2 shifts a week. They are doing this to prevent being penalized by Obamacare, which mandates they provide me healthcare insurance if I work more than 30 hrs a week. I don't want their insurance! I have my own! I want to earn more money an hour and pay my bills.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Yes..it is Obamacare's fault! My hospital is cutting my prn hours down to 2 shifts a week starting Jan 1 2014. I normally work 4 shifts a week..at least! sometimes 5! I can't live off 2 shifts a week. They are doing this to prevent being penalized by Obamacare, which mandates they provide me healthcare insurance if I work more than 30 hrs a week. I don't want their insurance! I have my own! I want to earn more money an hour and pay my bills.[/quote']

This is just ignorance about what healthcare reform requires. Your employer won't be punished for not providing you with insurance if you have your own. They would be punished if you worked a certain amount of hours and they didn't offer you insurance.

[Bezoars]

Our hospital is talking about the same thing. We are in the southeast. They are saying it's due to Obamacare. Apparently the hospital will have to offer insurance to anyone working a certain number of hours and per diem isn't excluded. Takes effect 2014? I don't know, but all the managers here are having meetings about it and talking about getting rid of their per diem or controlling their hours significantly.

[Bezoars]

Call it ignorance or lack of information all you want... but these hospitals have huge law teams on their service and manage money down to the last bandaid. I think if there was not a reason to worry, they wouldn't. The fact that so many are talking about it, speaks volumes.

[Roxie-h]

According to the hospital system I work for, the provision in the affordable care act states that any employee working more than 800 hours/year must receive benefits. (this is not full time, it is only a little over 15 hours/week) At my hospital the prn's have been told that they are only allowed to work three shifts/2 week pay period. Supposedly when they hit 800 hours they can not be scheduled anymore that year. If I were prn I would shoot for hitting the 800 hour mark before my holiday rotation rolls around!

[Roxie-h]

We are no longer hiring or replacing prn's. Not sure how we will flex up and down without them. It really is too bad and yes, it is definitely due to a provision in the affordable care act...aka. Obamacare.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

I asked today and it is due to the provision that people have to receive benefits after 800 hours. I'm not sure how this is all going to play out, especially if you are covered under your spouses private insurance.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

I would wonder if the law reads "must provide", or must offer?