How flexible are nursing schedules?

[Dublin37]

My husband is a teacher, and so we take quite a few week to 3 week trips during the summer. Is it possible to take off time (unpaid of course) and switch shifts, pick up other shifts? Or is it extremely controlled, with your one or two weeks off a year? I plan on nursing only part time, does that make it harder/easier to take off? I'm talking about hospital nursing. Can anyone give me some info? Are there some nursing jobs that are more flexible that way, than others?

Thanks for helping:kiss Heather

[Jenn_RN]

PRN means "as needed". You tell them when you are available, and they make your schedule based on that. At my hospital, we get a $1.15 shift differential (1.15 added to our pay), but we are not eligible for health insurance.

*Edited to say, the 1.15 is for nurse assistant, RN's would obviously get more than that as a shift diff. :)

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

Originally posted by Dublin37

ok, I know I'm really gonna show my ignorance here..........what is per diem? Do you mean agency? I know agency is not a good idea for a new grad. You've all been full of great info! Heather

Per diem, contingency, PRN.... all different words different institutions use for staff thet are only utilized on an as needed basis. They usually get a little more an hour, but are not eligible for benefits, and they do not earn sick or vacation time. You work this status at an institution. Of course you can do it for more than one place.

Agency is when you work for a place that will send you to a bunch of different institution. For lack of a better analogy, they're like pimps. Places will utilize an agency when they can't get the help from their own staff.

Heather

[Dublin37]

How funny Heather! If only the pay was that good huh? JUST KIDDING! It probably wouldn't be a good idea tho considering, being a new grad huh? I want all the help, training, mentoring I can get! Thanks so much for 'splaining it everyone! Heather