RNs who choose/like being casual

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in New PACU RN.

What do you like about it? Do you get the number of shifts you want? Are you able to work full time the times that you want?

I have a friend who is a casual float and she said that she gets more calls than she can take.

Putting the benefits and security aside for a bit - I think it might be an option that I might like if I can be sure of a couple of shifts a week.

What do you think about being casual...and those who are working casual tell me about your experiences.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I work PRN because I love the flexibility. I love having 3 day weekends, being able to go on vacation when I want, and being able to schedule work around my life and not the other way around. I work two PRN jobs for the job security, and I have more offers for work than I can ever accept. I think it helps too that I have cross-trained into several different areas (step-down, med-surg, peds, etc) so that I have more potential areas I can work before I would get canceled.

I'm making 100% more than I ever did as staff. Also, I'm young (23), relatively healthy, so health insurance is fairly affordable if you know where to look (Kaiser and Blue Cross, Blue Shield both have affordable plans for $70-$130/month for individual).

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Specializes in LTC.

I don't fully work casual...I'm a LPN...I work full time 3 12s at one place. At the other I'm casual and can get a few shifts a week there. I could see it working especially if you were to work casual at a few different places. A nurse I work with at the place I work full time, he's a RN and he works 1 day a week there as well as on-call and says he always gets enough shifts...Alot of the nurses I work with at the place that does 12's, they work on-call somewhere else, and they all say that they are called more than they can take the hours. So I think it definitely can work!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Being casual is the BEST thing for me. Like the other post, it gives me flexibility, I choose to work when I want, I take vacations when I want, if I chose to go back to school...I'm able to do that without worrying about management approving my schedule. And yes, I get alot of request to work, so there's no shortage of hours. And like the above post, you can always buy your own health insurance, which is at times cheaper than what your company is offering. And besides in some places, working casual earns extra $$$$$$$

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I am on my dh's benefits so I don't need them. I also don't need to work for money. I like the flexibility. I can work as much as I want and when I want and say no when I start feeling burned out. It is perfect for me. I also say no when it isn't convenient, like when I don't have a sitter and don't want to make arrangements.

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can you please explain what is casual. I am new nurse withouth job. Can you tell me more about this. Thanks

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I used to work full time on my unit, and I switched to per diem when my son was born 9 years ago.

I love it. The benefits are with my husband's job- he got a better financial deal anyway.

I get the benefits of being a mostly stay at home mom, but still bring in money, keep current in my field and have something meaningful outside of the home.

I work almost entirely weekend days and have never had problems getting my shifts. Once in a great while, I might get cancelled, but not usually.

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I was hoping "casual" meant casual clothing or even business casual.

I hate scrubs.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

at first I thought this post was about clothing too... :D

anyway,,, I am a perdiem nurse too. If you get benefits from your spouse, perdiem is the better deal. Even if you calculate all the compensation that your employer is offering, you still make more money by doing perdiem.

As long as you are willing to work, there are plenty of shifts you can pick up in the system or work for a few different employers to meet your need.

you have much more flexibility with your schedule as well.

You don't have to commit to working on the holiday either. :nurse: :)

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Specializes in MSP, Informatics.

After my last job, busting my butt, working weekends, holidays, on call all the time, putting in 60 hr weeks, getting paid for 40.... I am looking forward to my new position as a casual employee. I haven't had a real vacation in forever. When I applied I told them I had a vacation coming up in March- no problem. I do part of orientation before vacation, and finish up when I get back.

and if something else comes along down the road, I don't feel I am locked in to one place.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I did it for years and loved it. My only very large downside was not accruing a retirement.

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Generally there is plenty of work. However you can find posts on here where even regular scheduled staff have been canceled a lot. Casual/per diem/prn what ever it's called where you work are canceled before regular staff if regular staff doesn't want an extra day off.

I switched to casual when my spouse and I felt comfortable enough financially to take the hit if I were canceled a lot. Fortunately it has never been a problem. I work casual at two jobs one is my dependable job which provides most of my income, the other one has a 50% chance of being canceled but it usually provides only about 15% of my income anyways.

I love the flexibility of casual. I know I get my vacation time, I don't have to wait to see the schedule. I know I won't miss the important times in my kids lives such as dances, play-off games etc.

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