Juggling Multiple PRN Jobs

RNperdiem, RN · Mar 9, 2019

Depends on the individual hospital. Where I work, nurses schedule themselves. The minimum number of shifts per pay period is more of a guideline, and not strictly enforced for per diem staff. Schedule of full-time or more hours probably can be done in a large hospital float pool.

Working more than one per diem job has you working double the holidays, twice any mandatory in services and meetings. If one job gives you enough hours, keep it simple.

Sour Lemon · Mar 9, 2019

My per diem job is pretty strict about requirements. I only have to commit to one day a week, but every other week has to be a weekend day. I like weekends and only have one job, so it’s no problem.

I’m also required to work one major and one minor winter holiday and one summer holiday. I can choose which ones.

I’m the first to get canceled and the first to get floated. Sometimes I get canceled for weeks at a time. Out of my last eleven shifts, I’ve been floated for ten of them.

If I go out of town for a week, I have to work two days in another week or I start getting threatening emails about what’s considered a resignation.

Emergent, RN · Mar 9, 2019

I just dropped my Per Diem job after getting a threatening email. The new DNS is a rude woman and decided to lower the hammer.

One problem with more than one job is the education requirements. These days there is an endless barrage of mostly superfluous online ed. It's a drag to have to suffer through twice as many annual HIPAA modules, safe patient handling, interpreter services, fire safety, ad nauseam.

EllaBella1, BSN · Mar 9, 2019

Your best bet is to find a unit that is chronically understaffed if you want this kind of flexibility. I worked for two years in one exclusively as PRN and I was able to work 4 days/week, basically whenever I wanted because they were so grateful just to have the help. The downside of course is that it was kinda rough working with so few resources every day. But I was rarely floated, VERY rarely cancelled. In the long-term it burned me out and I moved on to a job where staffing was much better, but I was cancelled for low census a LOT more as a result. I ended up picking up my ehh PRN job again on the side for a few months because I could basically call them on a few hours notice whenever I felt like working and pick up a shift.

Kallie3006, ADN · Mar 10, 2019

I have been working PRN for the last 5 years and would not change it. I am currently PRN contract for one facility so I have committed to at least 3 shifts a week but I pick my schedule. While being contract I am in the same rotation as FT and PT staff in regards to floating and being put on call. As long as I am scheduled 3 shifts I am fulfilling my end even if I do get canceled. I also work PRN doing home infusions, teaching and injection training. I also have the ability to make my schedule for that position as well and I love the change that comes with it.

If you are working at least full-time hours or more I would think it would be financially more sound to only have one PRN position because you would be able to get OT from that job.

If you do work more than one or multiple departments I would suggest a calendar app to keep everything straight so you don't double book shifts. I use Cozi, but this allows me to input my kid's dance and gym classes and competitions, my work schedule as well as my husbands and they are all linked together with a family account, so everyone is able to see what is going on each day. Another good app is Jorte if you don't need the calendars to be able to link to multiple devices.

Your stipulations to the PRN agreement is dependent on the facility so it would be hard to state whether you just need to be available on a day or scheduled, so I would inquire that information with the facility of interest.