How to tell my boss I need to go from full time to PRN?

Sour Lemon · Dec 1, 2016

So, a couple weeks ago the masters program I had applied to in the spring of 2016 contacted me and told me they had room for me to join their spring 2017 classes. I just graduated with my bachelors in May and started working as an RN in July. I am not super worried my boss will be upset with me, she's a great person, and we are currently over staffed (yes, I know, unheard of, and we have EIGHT MORE PEOPLE starting in February)! What worries me is being new, and already going down to PRN status, and the fact that my schedule for January already appears to be posted. My classes would start January 9th. I would give her notice now, but I am still getting my ducks in a row making sure that going back to school is the right decision for me. Has anyone ever given one months notice when a schedule is already posted for two months out? The person who makes our schedules usually doesn't have our schedules posted until a couple weeks before the month starts, so I thought I had some time to think about it, but we got a new scheduling system and now we can even start scheduling ourselves for February. Ugh. Advice please!

Will they even allow you to go PRN with so little experience? Some places require at least 1-2 years, while others may be more flexible. Assuming you have a good relationship with your supervisor, you should probably at least mention that you're considering school. If things are shaky, it's probably better to keep it to yourself until you're 100% sure.

And yes, people frequently give notice for permanent changes after a schedule has been published.

bear94, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2016

I wondered that same thing, if they would even let me go down to PRN. However, I have a two year contract with the hospital... When someone like me who is contracted goes back to school they are permitted to go down to PRN and resume their commitment after graduating. I also think it's in my favor that we are currently overstaffed. I might as well just come out and ask her directly because thinking of all the possibilities that aren't in my favor stresses me out. :nailbiting:

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Dec 1, 2016

Wow, that's unusual that they would have you sign a contract, then let you go to PRN mere months into it.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 1, 2016

It sounds like you have a couple of things to figure out.

1. Are you going to school in January? Decide now if school is the right thing for you and figure how it will help you achieve your goals. You do have the option of not going now and applying in the future. Why are you going to grad school and will this help you get where you want to go?

2. Your manager will be the one who knows if you will be able to go per diem. Some hospitals are rigid in their requirments that a prn job has to be in the budget to hire someone per diem. Other places might let you pick up per diem hours in a less formal way. The 2 year contract might have specific working requirements. If you do go per diem, do you have a plan for the benefits you will no longer get- paid time off, health insurance?