Going PRN... how did you do it?

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

Help! I need your feedback guys! I have been away for so long due to school... I am almost done with my master's degree! I have missed you all! I used to be very active, but not so much in the last year or so. I still see some familar names... so hi ya'll!

I am glad I am almost done, but this last year is the worst! Lots of clinical time along with the old school work. I have kept working, and have gone from working full time to part time gradually over the past two years. I now want to quit in the worst possible way and go just PRN - for my sanity. I am lucky... I have a scholarship that pays a stipend which has taken some of the money concerns off of us - but I worry that I am going to be hurting, since I will be switching insurances to my husbands (it will cost more!), won't have a guarantee of hours, ect. I am so afraid to make that leap! Plus, we have to buy a new car! Oh, and we HAD A NEW BABY! I don't know if you guys knew that! It was a boy! He's great! And now he is walking! Isn't life grand?!?! Great grad school oops!

What have you guys that have gone PRN done to try to protect your income? What has made it easier for you? What made you finally do it? Talk me into it... make me feel better. I know, going PRN is a HUGE leap of faith... but I still think I need to do it - and I want to do it before the holidays. Help!!!

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

I never had to worry about hours when I was PRN. With all you have going on (congrats, BTW!!!!!!), it will probably be a good move for you. I made as much working 2 days PRN as I did 3 days FT. It'll be fine, especially since you can get insurance from your DH's employer.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Going PRN means the ability to work part of a shift. For example I sometimes work 3p-7p when my husband works a half day. I used to work at my hospital full time, so I knew how everything worked.

Going per diem does not burn any bridges with your employer if you give them proper notice, so if it does not work out financially, you can go back.

I also have my insurance with my husbands work-he gets a better deal. Since I work mostly weekends, I do not have to pay any money for childcare- Saturday is "Dad day" at our house. With the weekend per diem rate at $35 an hour and no childcare to pay for, the money goes further.

[ASSEDO]

I worked PRN at 3 hospitals at the same time.

I had a datebook and the first hospital that asked for my time, got penciled in, and I would stick with that hospital. I requested the hospital to give me 24 hrs prior to a cancel. Most of the time they were able to call ahead and cancel, and I could work at another hospital. I made tons of money during that time.

My husband carried me on his major medical, dental, vision. I invested in my own retirement.

I was never without work. But, if I wanted to take a vacation, I booked it on my datebook and I hit the road with NO REGRETs.

Sometimes, the same doctors visited each hospital and I knew their routine. PLUS, I GOT THE BEST GOSSIP AT EACH HOSPITAL!! That was the best!! ha.

Good Luck!!