Casuals: Experiences and # of hours you work

[Dove87]

I am a new grad and have recently been hired for a job floating between med/surg wards. I have been at this job for 3 months and have been picking up a lot of shifts, which is great. I typically get called twice a day to work the next day shift and then in the morning to work that night shift. There is never a shortage of work, it seems like I can work any day at any time. Is this typical for casuals? For all the other casual workers, what are your typical hours that you work? How many shifts are you taking per week?

[Kiwidanni]

I do casual and could certainly turn it into a full time job if I wanted to, I'm offered that many shifts. And that's just in one small unit.

I've just been taking weekened shifts at the moment though. WIll take more next year I guess.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I have never heard of a casual worker, is that the same as PRN? So you weren't hired at a specific amount of shifts a week?

[Kiwidanni]

Don't know about the first poster, but I cover sick calls, or shifts where the unit is over loaded and they need more staff.

[brownbook]

I love your terminology, "casuals" what area of the USA or country are you from?

We call it per diem in California, the experiences, hours, shifts are the same as what you are getting.

It sounds like great work, great experience, for you. But someday you will want to think about a position with health and retirement benefits.

[DixieRedHead, ASN, RN]

I think per diem, casual, and prn is all the same thing. I worked full time hours for 15 years in one hospital. Loved every minute of it. Never a shortage of hours. Picked every shift I worked. Worked lots of departments, learned a lot, challenged.

[Dove87]

I am from Canada, and yes casual, per diem and prn are all the same thing. I was hired to pick up sick calls, vacation relief time and any other vacancies that come up, therefore I get called non stop. There were no set hours that the manager expected me to take, but the manager said that I wouldn't have to worry about not getting called to work. Boy was she right! It's working out well so far, but I am not always taking shifts (avoiding phone calls all together), when I need a break. I work pretty much 3-4 shifts a week which works well for me.

[melissasmom]

I've been working as PRN for a little over a year. I generally work 36 hours a week and for the most part could work lots more. We can sign up for shifts ahead of time which is what I usually do. Some just call in to see if they are needed that day. I have one friend who works 50-60 hours per week. I don't know what it is like where you are from but around the holidays work is a bit more scarce due to low census. No matter where I pick up shifts I always get cancelled at least once a week but the closer to the holidays the more I am cancelled. The flex nurses at my hospital just know it is part of the life of the flex nurse.