New nurse-never heard of this

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Specializes in med surge, PCU, Tele.

Hi all, I am a Dec 2012 grad on the job hunt. I am only persuing day shift (for many reasons) and know that it's almost impossible to land one. I recently interviewed for a job and was told it was a prn position. However, I've never heard of a prn position like this. It has set hrs (36) with 1 call day per week for a possible 48 hrs. It was described as a position to cover shifts and prevent overtime for regular staff. Being a new grad, I don't qualify for additional pay over new grad pay (18 here in Tn). Has anyone else ever had a prn position like this? I also wonder how much experience is required for the additional hrly pay (yes I forgot to ask, but will if called back). Thanks!:confused:

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Sounds like a hospital pool position. Ask what departments you'll cover and what orientation you'll get.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

PRN positions are usually for those who can jump right in. Definitely not new grad territory, which requires orientation to actually being a nurse. If I were you (which I'm not, but hey), my first question would be about orientation length and intensity. I went PRN/float recently after leaving a staff position, and my orientation was all of one shift on each floor.

Unless it's a special new grad PRN program (which I have heard of, btw--one of my classmates was hired into one as a first job) or orientation is appropriate for a new grad, I would be wary of taking the position.

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Specializes in med surge, PCU, Tele.

I was told that I would absolutely receive new grad orientation of 12 weeks. This is also a med surge floor-only possible float is to a floor that receives our overflow sometimes. And this is a small rural hospital if that makes more sense.

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Specializes in Home Care.

Hmmm...By classifying you as PRN I'm betting they don't have to offer you benefits. What about your hours, can they cut them at any time?

Perhaps it would be a good idea to go to HR and ask for a definition of PRN for your facility and find out what if any benefits you may qualify for.

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Specializes in med surge, PCU, Tele.

No, there are no benefits, she told me that in the interview. I am fine with that, as I have insurance and other bennies through my husband. I know the hours are basically set. What it sounds like to me (and I am no expert) is a way to have a full time employee without having to pay any benefits. No obligation to provide a set number of hours, but it just works out that it is full time hours to accomplish their needs. If that is the case, I have no problem with it. I have just never heard of it-anywhere.

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.

Unless your hours are guaranteed, you will be the first sent home. With no benefits you should be paid more than normal rate. It's good that they will give you a 12 week orientation.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

It does sound like a way to have a full time employee without paying benefits or holiday pay

. Also, when people are PRN at my hospital, we tell THEM when we can work. With this set-up they have you clearing your schedule around them even though you'll be the very first one called off. I'd definitely take it, but it's a strange set up.

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Hmmm...By classifying you as PRN I'm betting they don't have to offer you benefits. What about your hours, can they cut them at any time?

Perhaps it would be a good idea to go to HR and ask for a definition of PRN for your facility and find out what if any benefits you may qualify for.

When I think of PRN, the first thing that comes to mind is no benefits. You should be paid more if they don't give you benefits.

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Specializes in med surge, PCU, Tele.

Thats my understand too-prn is higher hrly pay. But, I was told that as a new grad w/no experience, I don't qualify for that additional hrly pay. Im starting to wonder if I didn't misunderstand and this job is part time, that actually works out to full time hrs with the on call time. That would make a LOT more sense I guess. I know that there is PRN and part time available. I know of another class mate that was hired part time and has worked full time hrs since. Since no one else can really make sense out of it, I think maybe I need to call Monday and clarify. Although part time doesn't have benefits either.

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It is just the cheapest way to hire a nurse: new grad, no benefits, no guaranteed work. Yes, if nothing else and you are OK with the idea, then off you go.

But, keep one eye out, I've heard that some places do this because they cannot retain the experienced nurses they need. Often because they keep quitting. They know they need a certain census, and you may be a placeholder. It could be you'll work until they trap a few, then they will tell you that you basically suck and you're out on the street again. If this is the case, if you find someone who can put in a good word for you (be pals with the floor snitch) then when house cleaning time comes they might keep you and toss some other of the PRN NGs instead of you and bring you on full time.

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Honestly, it sounds like they are taking advantage of the economy and glut of new nurses to fill a normally $$$ position with cheap labor. If you take the job, take it with the understanding that it's only about their interests and don't feel the least bit bad about moving on when something better comes along.

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