PRN vs Part time

[Rsrach11]

So I recently moved and I am looking for work as an RN. I was hired PRN as a wellness clinic nurse. I'm interviewing at a hospital next week that is offering a part time position(24 hours a week c/ benefits), and a PRN position. I'm fairly confident I will be hired due to my experience. I'm trying to decide whether part time or PRN/per Diem is better for me. It would be easier to schedule my two jobs if I was PRN at both. But, it would be nice to have the security of having a set schedule with benefits. Any advice? Any advice on how to manage the schedule of two jobs? Also when i interview should I tell them that I have another PRN job?

[Buckeye.nurse]

Only you know your life, and what will work best for you right now. However, it shouldn't be difficult to schedule a prn job around a part-time position. When I was in nursing school, I had a part time position where I worked 7 am-7 pm every Saturday and Sunday. I then picked up PRN hours during the week at another job when I had breaks from school. As another example, one of my co-workers is a school nurse, and picks up PRN hours at the hospital during school breaks.

List the prn job on your resume and bring it up in the interview if you have made a good impression there, and can use them as references. Many nurses have prn jobs. As long as a potential employer knows that the full-time or part-time position you are interviewing for is your focus, all should be well.

And yes, you are correct. Having guaranteed hours and benefits is very nice.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

As the PP said, no one will be able to tell you what is best for you. The first question I would ask is do you need benefits? If so, I would have to say to go with part time over PRN. Do you need the guaranteed hours? Again, that would probably make part time the better option. I, too, would think that you should be able to schedule your PRN hours around a part time job. In the end, though, this is a call only you can make.

[Guest219794]

You already laid out the issue.

A- It would be easier to schedule my two jobs if I was PRN at both.

B- But, it would be nice to have the security of having a set schedule with benefits.

A=Freedom.

B=Security.

These two values are generally in conflict when it comes to these choices.

I can afford to go with A. Most people can't.

[TruvyNurse]

I am prn at several places. I always get full time hours, however if I need to work part time a week for a doctor's appointment or exams in school, I have the freedom to do so. I love making my schedule to fit my life. However I di not get benefits from these places, I am lucky to have my husbands insurance. It's definitely a custom decision to be prn vs part time