How does PRN work?

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Someone told me that PRN means that you work when needed. Are you always "on call"? If so, how often do they usually call and do they spike an attitude when you CAN'T say "yes" to a request?

I want to get a CNA job this summer/fall, but between school, me coaching a girls softball team, helping out with various other groups (girl scouts, gradeparent, etc), and my hubby's work schedule, I'm having a hard time finding something that will work for us schedule-wise.

There are a few PRN job openings for new CNA's at the hospital that I'd like to apply for.

Nicole

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Here I know it depends. If you apply for a job as a CNA and apply for a part time/on call position....be expected to come in when they call. Sure like any job if you continuously say no they'll get peeved but such is life. Maybe apply for a part time position and make your own hours. We can do that here. I'm not sure about other places. :)

Z

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A big part of it is what is needed in the department. For nursing, you will probably be able to get all the hours you would like. Usually you will work with your manager on it. You will tell your manager your available time, how many hours you would like to work (although there may be a minimum requirement, such as 24 hours scheduled and 12 hours of call per month) and you and your manager create your schedule based on need.

In other departments, prn focuses more on when staff members take vacation or personal days.

If you sign up to be on call, there are certain shifts and days where you are more likely to be called in, such as the weekends will usually need more help from on call people.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Where I work, PRN's fill in holes in the schedule left by FTE's....we work those holes as we can/are willing and get 15% differential per hour over FTE's. We are promised nothing but nor are obligated to anything except being "available" to work 4 weekend shifts a month. I get plenty of hours being PRN and love it.

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My hubby works 13 hour shifts. One month he works Mon, Tues and Wed. The next month, he works Thurs, Fri and Sat. So, I know when I'd be able to work. I'd just work the days opposite of him. I don't NEED a lot of hours. I just NEED to get out of the house and around some adults! :chuckle

Plus, I WANT to work as a CNA right now. I know it will give me some experience once I start the nursing program.

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Every hospital/facility has its own rules about how its PRN pool works, so make sure you're v. clear about what you're signing up for! Lots of places schedule PRN people well in advance, like to fill in for scheduled absences of full-time people (or to cover for low staffing ... :rolleyes: ), but also call on short notice when they need urgent coverage. Some places have rules requiring that you work a minimum of X number of hours/month or X number of weekend or holiday shifts per year to remain on the PRN pool roster. The point of maintaining a PRN roster is to be able to get staffing coverage on short notice -- of course you can refuse a particular day or shift when they call (that's part of the advantage of working PRN), but some facilities have a rule that, if you say "no" X number of times in a row, or X number of times in a six month period (or whatever), you get dropped (fired, essentially) from the roster.

Just be sure that you clearly understand up front what you're committing to.

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My hubby works 13 hour shifts. One month he works Mon, Tues and Wed. The next month, he works Thurs, Fri and Sat. So, I know when I'd be able to work. I'd just work the days opposite of him. I don't NEED a lot of hours. I just NEED to get out of the house and around some adults! :chuckle

Plus, I WANT to work as a CNA right now. I know it will give me some experience once I start the nursing program.

Just an FYI :) From what I understand, you have to have experience before you can go PRN. You get paid more for the skills you have and the fact that you get to basically "make your own schedule." No benefits for PRN though. Thats what I've learned in my area of the world anyway........

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I've always been required to submit a calendar with the dates I'm available to work and the shifts I'm available for. If anything comes on my "available" days I get a call and say yes or no.

I've always heard the x number of refusals = dismissal but never seen it put into effect (there is a shortage of staff in most healthcare fields). Usually the calls become less frequent but I've only ever seen one "casual" employee dropped from the roster, a few have been sent letters asking if they wanted to remain on the list and to reply within a certain number of days (and they usually do).

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Just an FYI :) From what I understand, you have to have experience before you can go PRN. You get paid more for the skills you have and the fact that you get to basically "make your own schedule." No benefits for PRN though. Thats what I've learned in my area of the world anyway........

The post for the opening says nothing about previous experience, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

Job Title:

CNA I

Department:

004505 Medical Surgical Mend

Position Number:

00023040

Job Description:

This position is for External Candidates only. Provides assistance to patients with activities of daily living and maintenance of a safe and clean environment. Ability to lift, push, pull patients and equipment. Must have completed an approved CNA training program and be currently listed, as CNA I with the DFS. High school diploma or GED required. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS; Medium Work - Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects, including the human body, weighing 21 to 50 pounds occasionally, and/or 11 to 20 pounds frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds constantly. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Work Schedule:

PRN

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