Best way to quit a PRN job

[CrazyGoonRN]

I've worked at my PRN job for over 3 years. I have a good full time job and no desire to ever go back to my PRN job. I havn't even worked there in a month. This may be a dumb question but how do I put in a 2 weeks notice when I don't even have any scheduled shifts at my PRN job? Maybe I'm overthinking the situation. What do you think? Should I just get the fax # and fax a resignation letter?

[Mulan]

I would hand in a written letter of resignation.

Even if you are not scheduled you can still give a notice.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I agree. I would still send something official with an end date. You would hate to burn a bridge that you might need to cross again in the future.

[caliotter3]

I usually haven't had to worry about this. After so many weeks, months, or even a year or more, of no scheduled shifts, or the employer even bothering me about updating my personnel file, I consider myself to no longer be their employee. I adjust the dates on my resume and job apps to reflect the last month I worked for them.

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

I wrote a letter of resignation with the appropriate number of weeks...and just didn't pick up any shifts. It was easy.

[adpiRN]

I didn't realize it was so common to not be scheduled for so long at a PRN job! Is this your choice or because of low census at the hospital?

Don't most PRN jobs have a minimum number of shifts per month you have to work?

Are they guaranteeing a certain number per month?

[NoScrubs]

I have a PRN job and am mandated to sign up for a minimum of (6)12 hour shifts in a 6 week period. I almost always work those 6 shifts. I rarely get called off.

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

I didn't realize it was so common to not be scheduled for so long at a PRN job! Is this your choice or because of low census at the hospital?

Don't most PRN jobs have a minimum number of shifts per month you have to work?

Are they guaranteeing a certain number per month?

I was never guaranteed hours. I had to give them time but they owed me nothing.

[Fiona59]

I didn't realize it was so common to not be scheduled for so long at a PRN job! Is this your choice or because of low census at the hospital?

Don't most PRN jobs have a minimum number of shifts per month you have to work?

Are they guaranteeing a certain number per month?

Nope. You have to be available but it's up to them if they offer you shifts.

PRN/Casual, whatever you call it has no guarantees. You are there to replace sick calls, vacation coverage, education days.

With the state of the economy, part time staff are picking up extra shifts, vacations are shorter and it all results in less shifts being made available to the casual staff.

[NoviceRN10]

Nope. You have to be available but it's up to them if they offer you shifts.

PRN/Casual, whatever you call it has no guarantees. You are there to replace sick calls, vacation coverage, education days.

With the state of the economy, part time staff are picking up extra shifts, vacations are shorter and it all results in less shifts being made available to the casual staff.

This is not the case where I work. Contingents must be on the schedule at least 2 shifts, whether you pick the days or mgr picks them for you.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I would give the notice just to be professional and official--then like PP said don't pick up any shifts if you don't desire to work there between today and your official end date.

Side note re: PRN jobs, when I worked mine I had to be available for a minimum number of shifts, but I was the first to get called off (after any agency RNs who happened to be on) if census was low. Once I went two months w/o working for that reason.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

You would quit a per-diem job the same way you'd quit any other job. Find out what the required amount of notice is and give it (if there is no requirement, the standard practice is 2 weeks). Write your letter explaining that you are resigning--you do not have to explain why if you don't want to. Work your notice: if you are scheduled for any shifts during that time, honor them.

Some here may balk at my telling you to give notice as a per-diem, their logic being that the facility doesn't guarantee you hours and wouldn't give you notice when firing you. Technically that is true...but right now it's an employer's market and the employers know it. In 2004, a nurse could quit a job on no notice and be hired at another hospital the very next day. In 2014, experienced nurses are taking months to find work.

Giving notice means that you will (probably) remain rehirable at the facility in the future, whereas leaving without notice and will burn the bridge because you'll be tagged Do Not Rehire. When the next potential employer calls this job to verify your employment there, what would you like them to say?

Best of luck whatever you decide.