How does PRN work at your facility?

[northmississippi]

I see jobs for "prn" alot more now days. I assume they want to find people that can fill in on short notice when a full time employee can't come in to work. If you are unable to come in as well that day, do they just go down the list till they find someone who is available? I could use a job like that in order to go back to school.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I've worked per diem at a couple of places, and this is how it worked there. PRN staff were required to be available for a set number of shifts--e.g. 1 per pay period, 3 or 7 per six weeks ($4/hr differential to be available for 7), 3 holidays per year, etc. After the scheduler scheduled the FT and regular PT staff, she'd tell me where the holes were, and I'd commit to the shifts out of those I wanted. It's really nice for PT working moms, students, etc. because you retain most of the control over your schedule.

The downside is you're not guaranteed hours, which can be stressful if you need them.

[Platinum_One]

Usually required to work a certain number of shifts within a certain time period.

For example, at one hospital, I had to do 3 weekend shifts per X number of weeks. Another place I just have to do one shift every 90 days, but have to at least be available and accept if called for 1 shift per month. There are holiday requirements…like 2 holidays per year, or one summer and one winter holiday. Just varies by hospital.

Both places I've been let you schedule yourself via their online scheduling software. If certain shifts were still going unfilled, they would call around, but there is no obligation to take it.

PRN is cool, just depends on how many hours you need vs how many are regularly available. Best to pick a couple PRN positions to increase your chances for getting the amount of hours you want, if you want a higher amount. Having a couple also helps to break up the change of scenery. You can work enough at each place to not get tired of either. You don't get benefits. But if you don't need them, then it won't matter. Pay is better too. Good Luck!