Always 'paying my dues' because i'm PRN?

[Mrs_Momma_RN]

Hi all! New member here. First post! Seeking advice or criticism or whatever you have to offer..

I've been an RN for 5 years now and can't help but feel tired of being treated like the 'little guy'. I started my career in med surge as a tech, then was blessed to work after graduation part time for a year before I found out I was pregnant with kid #3. Well, I went prn at that point because of complications and being on nightshift was stressful. Before I got pg I was trying to get into our ER dept. I admit my feelings were hurt (hey, I was pregnant) when I was told flat out that I was not chosen to be among the nurses to orient to the ED because I was PRN - and pregnant (isnt that illegal). Thus, I was also being denied company training for PALS, ACLS and some other things i'd been REALLY wanting to do. So I tried to brush it off.. Whatever. I'll stay here cause I still like what I do. Well, hospital is soon bought out and combined with one 15 miles away, nightly census goes to 1-2 patients. I start looking for another job, thinking LTC is my calling.

So now i'm in LTC! I love it. The first facility I started at was absolutely terrible. Staff, dirty place, violent residents, management dont care and dont return calls. After one year, good riddance! My current facility, is polar opposite of the first. I got suckered into taking the job, and a paycut, by my 'friend', whom I graduated nursing school with, we were very close. Now, not so much. After almost one year I am still told that i'm only needed to provide RN coverage. I've been stick on nights for years because my husband works days. So I am just PRN and unless I agree to go to fulltime or days or evenings, I will continue to not he invited to MDS trainings and such. 'Do it on your own time and dime' exactly what my administrator told me a few days ago. Other staff who are far less experienced, and as new as I am to the facility, have her favoritism because they are "fulltime and can meet our needs that you as PRN cant".. Bummer.

So my question is: is this the price we pay for being PRN? Even tho i'm mostly pulling part time hours. Is it my STATUS holding me back? Other nurse friends, even those with little kids like me have already advanced their careers. I admit, it hasnt been a SUPER priority of mine, as I enjoy being a mom, but balancing being mommy with advancing my skills has proven almost impossible. Nobody in management even mentions upcoming trainings or seminars to me, I have to literally pull as many teeth as I can to get hints on whats coming up. Could this be a sign that i'm just not wanted?? I've never been diciplined for anything, anywhere i've been, have absolutely no issues. I dont gossip or party with the other girls, and I admit I probably come off as rude because my super resting bi+

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Isn't it ironic how Per diems get the short end of the stick, however when there is a need you're the first one that they beg to come in.

You've read the whole thread, right?

[freesia29, ASN, RN]

It's kind of funny, I am an LPN and want per diem but everyone wants me at least 24 hrs per week. So I have just quit and will not work for a while. Hubby has to travel a lot and it's just not worth paying someone almost as much as I make to watch our kids.