Can New Grad Nurses Work a PRN position?

[PoweRNursing]

Hello guys! I was wondering if new grad nurses can work PRN positions? Many hospital websites say PRN and then say new grads eligible, however, some people have told me that to work as a PRN RN you have to have been in that specialty at least a year. Is this true?

[chare]

Deleted.

[Guest219794]

Well, if the hiring hospital says new grad eligible, then it seems that as a new grad, you would be eligible.

Of course, there are a couple of other questions:

Hello guys! I was wondering if new grad nurses should work PRN positions?

Should a hospital hire a new grad as PRN?

I wouldn't think it would be worth it for the hospital, but maybe they feel otherwise.

[verene, MSN]

Well - if the hospital says new grads eligible then clearly new grads can apply.

One local hospital accepts new grads into their resource (PRN) positions, but they still go through a residency training period, are oriented to a limited number of units (e.g. all adult med-surg), and are expected to sign up for full-time equivalent shifts, and have strong ongoing mentorship and support after orientation. At this particular hospital - it's okay for a solid new grad to start PRN, and the hospital has reasonable expectations and a well thought out process for getting them up and running in this role.

Another facility may only offer a few days of orientation, minimal ongoing support, and expect PRN staff to be able to hit the ground running - even if they are only working a couple of shifts per month. This would be terrible place for a new grad to start.

I would be asking a lot of questions as a new grad interviewing for PRN position to make sure it isn't going to be a set up for failure. In many (most?) settings, PRN and new grad are probably not a good fit, but as I noted above there are exceptions to that.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

It doesn't really make sense to me that a new grad could work PRN. PRN means as needed. If they need staff, then why would they have staff available to train the new grad?

[MamaBeaRN]

My hospital hires new grads as prn's. They get one on one training with a FT or PT nurse for 6 weeks. After that, they're on their own to work prn.

[Caribbean_cruzin]

The term would be per diem. I would not recommend a new grad working as a per diem nurse and I am surprised that a hospital would hire one. You need that orientation period to get your feet under you as the new grad, working only when needed doesn't seem like a good choice. just my opinion.

[PoweRNursing]

Thank you all for your responses! So, what I have gathered is there are some hospitals that hire new grads as PRN's, however, many hospitals may have stipulation associated with PRN's. Thanks for helping me with my inquiry!

-Michael