What is The Difference Between PRN and..

WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2007

As far as I know, PRN and per diem are the exact same thing!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 3, 2007

hi everyone. i was wondering what was the difference working as a nurse prn as apposed to working per diem? what are the benefits and cons to either or both. thanks for your replies. i was under the understanding that they were the same.

they're the same option. prn means you're used as needed, paid a higher wage generally than "regular" staff because you're not getting benefits and are willing to work the fill-in spots as needed. per diem (or "by the day") is the same thing: someone who is not under obligation to an employer for a minimum number of hours per week, but is compensated accordingly for not having a guaranteed minimum either.

it's not unusual, though, for an employer to require a per diem nurse to work one shift per month, two shifts per month, something like that so that they are coming in with some regularity and staying abreast of policy changes, etc.

pros? schedule yourself whenever you want, work more when you need to, less when you don't, get paid more money than the regulars, take off time when you want. cons? no guarantee of regular work, you get bumped off the schedule before the regular staff if the census is low, you have no benefits (healthcare, paid sick time or vacation time). some places will give you a paid holiday a year, or something similar. depends on facility. in my hospital, per diems are also the first to float if needed.

Happy2CU · Jul 3, 2007

I've always been under the impression that per diem and prn are the same. I occasionally work per diem at a nursing home to supplement my full time dialysis job. The per diem rate is good ~ $22.50 per hour for an LPN. I enjoy the opportuntunity to make extra money when needed. Probably the downfall would be, I never have the same patients, always a different hall/unit. I never really "get to know" them, the med pass takes me longer. Plus working different shifts, because you are working when you are needed, as opposed to working when you want to work. But, overall it's good.

caliotter3 · Jul 3, 2007

My first real job as a licensed nurse, I was hired per diem because I wasn't taking benefits. I was paid a little bit more per hour, only a few cents. However, the DON was hiring me as a FT employee, and I was on the schedule FT. When the company was bought out, and I was laid off, they had the audacity to call me back to work one shift. A friend told me that they did this so they didn't have to pay me unemployment. I told them (politely, of course) what they could do with the one shift, as it was not going to pay my mortgage. I learned not to take per diem in lieu of benefits because of this. Either I'm FT or PT or per diem on purpose. That was a back door way to treat me as far as I was concerned.

RNperdiem, RN · Jul 3, 2007

I earn $35 an hour of weekend days per diem. The pay rate is set by the hospital; all per diem/prn earn the same rate. There are no raises.

The pros are many-self scheduling, higher pay, work as much or as little as you need.

The cons are: feeling out of the loop on changes, no guarantee of hours, and no pension/benefits.

I work when my husband is off, my family is covered under his medical insurance(better deal anyway). We pay no childcare costs. I fund my own pension IRA.

BIGBRO71 · Sep 4, 2008

Question:

As a Per diem you can work as much or as less as you need but, isn't there a minimum of hours you have to work per year in order to keep the license?

Mulan · Sep 4, 2008

Question:
As a Per diem you can work as much or as less as you need but, isn't there a minimum of hours you have to work per year in order to keep the license?

that depends on your state's requirements

BIGBRO71 · Sep 4, 2008

Ok. My state it's New Mexico. How can I find out?