PRN hours decreased because of the ACA

[kdhunley]

I work PRN at a hospital, usually 36-48 hours per week. We have been told that because of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) we can no longer work more than 30 hours a week. While this doesn't officially take effect until Jan. 2015, our hospital is choosing to implement this now.

Of course, you can imagine, we are all upset, particularly those of us who work full-time hours. I choose to work PRN because I get paid more per hour and don't need benefits because I have insurance through my husband's employer.

Our hospital heavily utilizes PRN nurses both dedicated to a particular floor and a float pool. We all feel this is really going to negatively affect patient care and adequate staffing. I am going to find another PRN job to get the hours I need to work each week.

Has anyone else had this experience?

[caliotter3]

Well, whatever was supposed to happen with ACA, notwithstanding, my daughter's family now does not have medical appointments and my granddaughter goes without necessary medication since my daughter's medical coverage tripled in cost. She pays more out of her own pocket every month, but can not afford to also pay the increased co-pays; she can not pay the increased pharmacy costs. She is a full time employee, so decreased work hours does not come into play, but she pays more anyway, for absolutely nothing in return. She hates the new system and I can see why. I don't doubt that my daughter is not in the minority.

[MarkWright]

"Considering that she already has insurance anyway, it would be great if a waiver for coverage would be allowed & no changes would have to be made to her hrs.

You are right, it would be GREAT if a waiver for coverage would be allowed so that the employer would KNOW that they would not face a huge fine for allowing her to continue working full time hours with PRN

pay..... but there is not and just like Jolien, no business will risk their business on maybe. I am retired military so do not need the hospitals benefits. I was hired to work full time on a regular shift in the ER but paid PRN pay without benefits. It was good for me, my family and the hospital... AND HURT NO ONE. Enter the ACA and all that is over. I have to choose between a devastating pay cut by staying PRN and working less than 30 hr per week (no hospital is going to let PRN's get anywhere near the 30 Hr due to the hospital closing fine they would trigger), or a very aggravating pay cut going full time working the same hours I work now for less pay. I took the lesser of two very evil options hoisted on my by the democrat Obamacare law (ACA) and went full time with benefits I do not need... and took a second job. So to all you who sing the praises of the ACA, it cost me money AND more time away from my family. I am in no way a fan. Love the though that we can take care of preexisting conditions ... but it would have been much less expensive and devastating to just tackle that problem without lowering every working Americans quality of life. This is not just true of hospitals but all businesses in America. January is upon us. The damage will become much more evident as this next year goes by.

[MarkWright]

If they need to "count on" a certain number of hours, they shouldn't be working prn. The flexibility for the employee in scheduling comes along with flexibility for the employer to not schedule them at all.

Before the ACA I was hired as a full time PRN. I know that may be hard for some to wrap their heads around but I was hired to work a regular shift but for PRN pay and no benefits by my choice and the hospitals. It was good for me and good for the hospital. Now, under the employer mandate and 30 hr rule of the ACA i loose hours and wages. I loose hours if I stay PRN because EVEN THOUGH I HAVE INSURANCE FROM SOME PLACE ELSE, I will not be allowed go work more than 29 hr a week due to the evil ACA. (Note to the moderator: This is exactly on topic because I am one of those PRN's being screwed over by the ACA). I loose pay if I go full time with benefits I do not need or want. Either way the ACA is a total loss to me and those like me.

[caliotter3]

I was hired as a PRN employee at full time hours for my first nursing job because like Mark, I did not need benefits. It was all of about 35 cents per hour at the time but I appreciated that the person hiring me at least considered me enough to make that small concession. I would hate to be in the position of getting screwed over like he, and all others in the same boat, are being screwed over because of some poorly thought out law. Punish the many to take care of the few. No wonder that people get frustrated with our government.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

When you consider how many people worked full-time hours without having any access to health insurance before ACA, it's not accurate to say it punishes the many.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

I was told by HR that sometimes a per Diem nurse may be scheduled for more than 30 hours a week, but none actually work that much because they are first cancelled. The higher hourly pay of per Diem staff is not only due to health insurance costs.

He said my better choice would be to work full time, opt out of insurance coverage, and be paid a monthly stipend roughly equal to what our employer pays for health insurance. Then I would get holiday pay, sick pay, and paid holidays.

My friend who opted out after turning 65 said there is a line on her check titled, "Health Insurance Opt-out".

[caliotter3]

One is many, when that one is you, or in the case of my daughter, her and her children.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

I was hired as a PRN employee at full time hours for my first nursing job because like Mark, I did not need benefits. It was all of about 35 cents per hour at the time but I appreciated that the person hiring me at least considered me enough to make that small concession. I would hate to be in the position of getting screwed over like he, and all others in the same boat, are being screwed over because of some poorly thought out law. Punish the many to take care of the few. No wonder that people get frustrated with our government.

Do you grasp the concept of what a PRN employee is, it is not an option to work FullTime while receiving extra pay, is a work as per need basis. If you want your full hours while keeping the extra pay; sit down with your employer and have a discussion about it, explain that you don't want any of the extra benefits so would prefer to keep your current pay scale.

Understand that the law mandated employers to offer you a health plan if you work more than 30 hours, it does not means however that you have to take it, they just have to offer it as per law, and you need to be insured in some way as per the law. You are focusing on the wrong thing , and still I do not see why is it so hard for you to sit down and talk to your employer about your concerns.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

One is many, when that one is you, or in the case of my daughter, her and her children.

It may see as hurtful to you and a few others, but honestly laws are made with intentions of benefiting the many, while affecting the least possible amount of people. Not everyone will be happy with their effects, try living under a different type of government and see how you like it.

There is ways around your situation, but is easier to blame others than to take responsibility for it. As a disclaimer i dont even agree a 100% with the ACA, it leaves too many people still without coverage, especially the very poor.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

Before the ACA I was hired as a full time PRN. I know that may be hard for some to wrap their heads around but I was hired to work a regular shift but for PRN pay and no benefits by my choice and the hospitals. It was good for me and good for the hospital. Now, under the employer mandate and 30 hr rule of the ACA i loose hours and wages. I loose hours if I stay PRN because EVEN THOUGH I HAVE INSURANCE FROM SOME PLACE ELSE, I will not be allowed go work more than 29 hr a week due to the evil ACA. (Note to the moderator: This is exactly on topic because I am one of those PRN's being screwed over by the ACA). I loose pay if I go full time with benefits I do not need or want. Either way the ACA is a total loss to me and those like me.

How many people have explained this already??

You chose to work an "as needed " position as a full time job. That was your gamble.

The law protects LOW wage workers. Nurses who can earn a good living and have the option of employer sponsored health insurance have no place complaining.

Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellcheck

[caliotter3]

Do you grasp the concept of what a PRN employee is, it is not an option to work FullTime while receiving extra pay, is a work as per need basis. If you want your full hours while keeping the extra pay; sit down with your employer and have a discussion about it, explain that you don't want any of the extra benefits so would prefer to keep your current pay scale.

Understand that the law mandated employers to offer you a health plan if you work more than 30 hours, it does not means however that you have to take it, they just have to offer it as per law, and you need to be insured in some way as per the law. You are focusing on the wrong thing , and still I do not see why is it so hard for you to sit down and talk to your employer about your concerns.

You did not read or understand the first sentence of my post. I have a full understanding of what a PRN employee is. I was hired as a full time employee, at the PRN rate of pay, because I did not​ need the benefits package.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

You did not read or understand the first sentence of my post. I have a full understanding of what a PRN employee is. I was hired as a full time employee, at the PRN rate of pay, because I did not​ need the benefits package.

So you should be fine then if that was the condition of your employment, and you have a right to both your hours and your pay. The ACA has then nothing to do with the issue, and it is just a management/ employee conflict.

Or am I missing something?