Casual workers: How many hours do you put in?

[magn1jes]

Hello!

I have a few questions for those of you that work casual or PRN... how many hours do you put in a week? Approx. how many days do you work a month? Do you get called to work a lot? How does it work when it comes to scheduling - is it just a surprise what your hours will be?

I interviewed for a casual position and was curious as to the average hours worked and what to expect. This would be my first job out of school and I have a little one at home that is my top priority.

[magn1jes]

Anyone?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I've been a PRN/casual employee at the same workplace for two years. I work three 12-hour shifts per week unless patient census is low. If census drops, PRN workers are usually the first ones to have their shifts cancelled.

Basically, I give my availability to the scheduler and they come up with my schedule. I work the same three days per week because those are the only three days that I actually want to work.

However, PRN/casual status works differently at different facilities.

[magn1jes]

I've been a PRN/casual employee at the same workplace for two years. I work three 12-hour shifts per week unless patient census is low. If census drops, PRN workers are usually the first ones to have their shifts cancelled.

Basically, I give my availability to the scheduler and they come up with my schedule. I work the same three days per week because those are the only three days that I actually want to work.

However, PRN/casual status works differently at different facilities.

Thank you for your response! That is nice that you get to pick your schedule!

[FORTHELOVEOF!!!!]

I have also worked PRN for 2 years, I have to wait until all full and part time people get their schedules then I am sent a copy of all open shifts and I just pick what I can work. Typically PRN employment don't get scheduled by the hospital unless they are following your availability, most can not schedule you whenever they want, it has to work for both parties, I do realize that this may differ from hospital to hospital.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I work anywhere from 32-40 hours between two jobs, depending on how I feel that week. One facility I don't have a lot of flexibility in scheduling; I work agency at the other so I write my own ticket. I'm rarely cancelled at either facility I work at.

[magn1jes]

I have also worked PRN for 2 years, I have to wait until all full and part time people get their schedules then I am sent a copy of all open shifts and I just pick what I can work. Typically PRN employment don't get scheduled by the hospital unless they are following your availability, most can not schedule you whenever they want, it has to work for both parties, I do realize that this may differ from hospital to hospital.

I am kind of hoping this is what scheduling is like here... I would like to be prepared.

[DEgalRN]

I do two 12 hour shifts in a 6 week period. That is the minimum to stay PRN at the hospital I work at. In addition to my PRN job I have another full time job which is why I do the minimum. I simply send my availability to my manager and she schedules me if there's a need. If not, I have still fulfilled my requirement by giving her available days.

[EMP, RN]

I started a PRN job a hospice in April, I've been full time since (we lost a few nurses, so I've been filling in until new ones are trained and before that covering vacations). But I didn't have to agree to this. Typically I know in advance by at least two weeks if they would like me to work. If I don't want to work, I can always say I already have something planned. Some of the PRN staff work two PRN positions.