Can you be an FNP and work PRN?

[Maura B.]

Hi everyone! This question is mainly for the NP's out there. I recently received acceptance to NP school. I was wondering, once you graduate, can NP's work PRN like RN's do? Or are Np's need full and part time only? We only have one child and after finishing school, I'd like to have another and stay home with the baby. PRN status for a few years would be ideal....just not sure if it exists. Thanks in advance!

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

Yes. But you have to find the job that offers it.

[SmilingBluEyes]

And how will you do your clinicals "PRN"?

There is no "ideal" time to have a kid, but maybe you should have the baby now and put off NP school for a bit while you are home with the child. You can always go back later when you can dedicate yourself more.

PRN work as an NP is very hard to find.

[Maura B.]

Yeah, that is sort of what I was thinking. Obviously I wouldn't do my clinicals PRN, but the school requires so many hours per semester which comes down to 2 clinicals per week.

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

Yeah, that is sort of what I was thinking. Obviously I wouldn't do my clinicals PRN, but the school requires so many hours per semester which comes down to 2 clinicals per week.

Are you in an FNP track or AGACNP?

[Maura B.]

It's a FNP program

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

It's a FNP program

Some FNP programs allow you to obtain hours in the hospital setting but some don't. I was only permitted to seek primary practice offices for that term's selected patient population. So if the preceptor had an emergency, I had to make up those hours. And it happens. My first rotation occurred when the massacre in Charleston, SC took place. My preceptor's aunt was one of the 9 killed. His office was closed for a week.

While that is an extreme, life happens and you need to be prepared to build in make up days or even a back up preceptor. I needed that more than twice.

What does your program require?