How is it fair to put PRN nurses on call?

[sarabear44]

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...

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Thank you very much for your replies, for taking the time to write! It really helps me put things in perspective.

I switched to PRN, so I could go down to one shift a week. As opposed to other PRNs, I committed to one shift per week, so that's probably why I feel entitled to that, but there isn't a PT contract available for that, so I had to take. PRN contract... The reason was my second child was born and we didn't want to hire out child care.

So I pick up hours on weekends and evenings when my spouse is home.

I only earn $4 more per hour, so it doesn't make up for the lost PTO and benefits...

The he thing I this is unfair is that FT staff can use their PTO to make up for lost income while on call and I don't have any PTO, so my family goes without......

I think I'll make a meeting with my mgr to talk about PT.

Your family goes without because you made the decision to go prn rather than just going part time. Did you not understand what you were signing up for?