PRN Nursing Question

Mulan · Jul 9, 2005

A lot of places have a requirement for PRN, so many hours a pay period, or so many hours a month, maybe a weekend requirement like one a month, or a holiday requirement, a couple a year. I would think you would be put on the schedule in advance for whatever the requirement is, hopefully based on what day you tell them you can work. I also imagine they would be calling you all the time too if they need help, and you can refuse as long as you meet the PRN requirement, as far as I know.

You need HR or whoever to spell out what exactly is required and what is meant by PRN at that facility.

Good luck.

Bindy, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2005

A lot of places have a requirement for PRN, so many hours a pay period, or so many hours a month, maybe a weekend requirement like one a month, or a holiday requirement, a couple a year. I would think you would be put on the schedule in advance for whatever the requirement is, hopefully based on what day you tell them you can work. I also imagine they would be calling you all the time too if they need help, and you can refuse as long as you meet the PRN requirement, as far as I know.
You need HR or whoever to spell out what exactly is required and what is meant by PRN at that facility.
Good luck.

It depends upon the establishment. Everyone conducts business differently. I know of some hospitals that have a certain amount of hours you must fill per pay period and others that strictly are an " as needed basis" type of job. It all depends on you. If you want to be stapled to a job and want a certain commitment than pool work may not be your line. Also rememeber your type of position is the first to be canceled no matter if it is a pay period requirement or strictly as needed. If census is low you are the one that is ditched. Sorry....just the truth here. I know of several nurses that will not work for certain local hospitals because they are known to cancel at the last minute. Just an FYI for you...hope this helped. :) Bindy

Luv2BAnurse · Jul 9, 2005

I work PRN at a nursing home. I don't "have" to work a certain number of hours, or certain days. They call me and ask if I can work, I tell them yes or no. I have been there four years now, and love it. Sometimes, when they don't call for a while, I call them. I usually get bombarded with requests for days or nights that way. Like everyone else has said, it just depends on the facility. I think PRN is great, and you would definitely want to get the terms spelled out on acceptance.

The hospital I work full time at also has PRN positions, we don't necessarily call the PRN person off at the last minute, but they usually get first choice when the census is low.

happygirl202 · Jul 9, 2005

I am working per diem at a hospital. It is interesting because when the schedule is made, I am given a list of days that I can pick from to work. Fron there, I have the choice to accept or reject. I was initially stunned as all of my previous jobs have had a set schedule. Per diem is working well as I can work a lot in the summer yet schedule a block of days off to get away, plus I can reduce my hours once I start back to school. As a prior poster mentioned, I am required to work a set number of hours per 6 week schedule, set number of weekends, and a summer and winter holiday. The differential is nice too! Good Luck!