How is it fair to put PRN nurses on call?

emmy27 · Jan 24, 2016

In theory PRN is first called off at my primary facility, but this has only ever actually happened to me once, when they accidentally over-scheduled that shift and I arrived to find out I wasn't needed. Of course it's fair- FT people lose their time off if they're called off, and calling them off while I work costs the facility twice as much as calling me off and having them work. And I get paid more and have near-total control over my schedule- those are the perks of PRN. FT employees promise to show up 36 hours a week, so the facility promises to prioritize actually getting them 36 hours a week. I promised no such thing, so I have no such guarantee.

Fine with me- I work PRN to keep my skills up and for some extra income, and because I didn't need FT benefits. I'd actually rather NOT work the required minimum, and that's all I do most of the time, although I'm willing to pick up extra to help out people who need time off.

Our budget doesn't depend on me getting a certain number of hours. If yours does, I'd look in to taking another PRN or agency job, or move to PT. Agency usually pays more, too, and facilities that regularly use agency nurses usually have a lot of available hours. If you're already not feeling "part of the team" at your primary facility, it won't be a big culture shock to be the new kid every few shifts and you might as well get paid a premium for it.

mightynurse4 · Jan 24, 2016

Oh we definitely have our fair share of FT who would rather be called off than work. There are a lot of us though that need the hours. It is hard when are PRN people complain about not getting hours though. They make 25% more than FT, don't have to work late ever, and don't take call so it's a fair trade off.

I've had to work late a lot. But we are small and I'm the type of person that can't leave my coworkers hanging if I can help it. I've stayed late for night shift to help out and in return, I sometimes come in and my meds are pulled for me or they've mixed my 0800 abx. I think the atmosphere of the unit has a lot to do with it. We all get along for the most part and I would never try to work if a FT person needed the hours. I live close to the hospital too so the FT people who have to drive a long distance usually don't mind a day off every now and then. We are also required to take call at my hospital but I notice that not all PRN people do that even though we are "supposed" to sign up for at least one call day per schedule. I always do. And when I'm off school, I take 1-2 days of call per week. I like the extra pay! I used to be a FT there so I try to be fair and do what I'm asked and give the FT people a break from call when I can.

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 24, 2016

It's not only fair, but expected. I spent years in PRN status and that was what happened. If there was low census, I was the first called off. I filled scheduling holes that FTEs did not. I also covered their vacations.

If I wanted the benefits of FTE employment, I needed to be...............FTE. I made PRN differentials but got no guaranteed shifts nor benefits. I knew the facts when I agreed to the terms. I knew, That is how PRN and perdiem work.

It's the price you pay for working only when you want to; of course the FTEs should be the last called off. Go back to part or full time status if you want guaranteed shift work.

canigraduate · Jan 24, 2016

I think the OP just didn't understand the terms of being PRN.

When cancellation happens, it goes in order of most expensive to least expensive:

1) Traveler/Agency 2) FTE/PTE in overtime 3) PRN 4) PTE/FTE.

The order can be different if someone has requested to be cancelled.

If you are being placed on call, then you should be compensated for the on-call hours. For example, when I worked PRN, I got $2 an hour for waiting by the phone. Fair? Nope, but better than $0.

If you are just being cancelled for a specific block of time or for the whole shift, it is up to the facility's policy. Most places do not compensate you for being cancelled.

sjalv · Jan 24, 2016

Have you considered being PRN for the float pool? Your likelihood of securing shifts would be much better.

Farawyn · Jan 24, 2016

Have you considered being PRN for the float pool? Your likelihood of securing shifts would be much better.

I did this. I was also able to also get a heads' up from my favorite floors and get pre-assigned. Sometimes I got pulled for a code or something, but I mostly stayed put.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2016

OP you can't have it both ways. PRN may benefit your lifestyle, but the trade off means no guaranteed hours and loss of benefits. Part time and full time employees usually have first pick.

If you're finding that PRN isn't working, request part time status.

mrsjonesRN · Jan 24, 2016

I am feeling really down about my job. I've worked four years and recently changed my contract to PRN, and anytime the census is down, they put me on call, and I don't get paid. I'm losing so much money and also skills, and not feeling like part of the team anymore.
Does anyone have some words of encouragement or kind words to help me understand from a different perspective?
I am so sick of signing up for shifts and offering to work for people and then getting out on call and not getting to work and not earning money.
I am an ER nurse...

Whenever PRNs (or anyone for that matter), get put on call or get called off at my facility, sometimes they will call and see if someone else would like to be off. Have you ever tried calling one of your Co-workers and asking if they'd like to have a shift off ? You will be surprised how many people would say yes!

I don't know if your managers allow this but it's worth a shot.

Also, is floating somewhere else an option for you? If ER doesn't need you, maybe another floor will...?

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2016

Either OP didn't read the contract or didn't understand it.

PRN: as needed. You do not have any obligation to work, employer has no obligation to provide you work.

It's an agreement you decide you can either accept or reject. If you aren't willing to accept the terms of the agreement, don't agree. That's what makes it fair.

If the hospital were to call you on some random day at 6:00 am and told you that you had to come in that day, would that be fair? Of course not, you are PRN with the option to say "No" without suffering any of the consequences of a regular employee. That is the benefit of PRN, you choose your schedule. Don't wanna work on a weekend? Say No. Don't wanna work on a holiday? Say No. Don't wanna work on your kid's birthday? Say No.

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2016

I've honestly never heard of anything like that! Do you know the rationale behind calling off FT nurses in favor of PRN's?

At my facility, the call off priority is FT in overtime, PRN, then by the list (so it's fair). The only time I am not called off if is a coworker (who is ALWAYS in OT) is off. That is the only reason FT is called off before me.

ETA: At my facility, they don't call off travel nurses. It has something to do with their contract. If a travel nurse has no unit, they rotate the units and if it is my unit, I get called off for the travel nurse. Oh well, I signed up for it. Love the money.

xxdiscoxxheaven · Jan 27, 2016

Our manager has done this lately because pretty much everyone on my shift has less than a year of experience. I don't mind being called off in this situation because it sucks where I work badly, another new grad would be in charge, and we'd have no support anyways

VANurse2010 · Jan 27, 2016

Is it fair to cancel PRN nurses for low census? Absolutely. Is it fair to force a PRN nurse to take call? No. PRN nurses should only be on call if they choose to do so - otherwise, in my view, as needed means you either need me or you don't, but I'm not at your beck and call.