PRN Question

[Okieatheart]

I work PRN. We are required to submit our availability for each month at the beginning of the month. We may or may not get shifts for the days we indicate we are available. We check each week to see if we are on the schedule. Today, I was told the new policy is that I am required to be available for every shift I indicate I'm available whether or not I'm on the schedule. So, if indicate I am available for a shift on a certain day, I am required to be available that entire shift even if I am not on the schedule "just in case they need me" at some point during that shift. If they call at anytime during the shift, I am considered a "call in" if I don't go in. I am not paid unless they call me and I go in but I cannot do anything because they might call. Is this how PRN works?

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Don't quote me on it, but I suspect it is illegal to expect you to be "on call" without "on call" pay.

[JKL33]

Okie,

It is slightly possible that someone has misunderstood and given you wrong info. PRN can be called an "on call" position, generally-speaking, meaning that you don't get paid outside of the hours you pick up through schedule needs or calls for help.

So yeah, in a way, you are "always on-call" in a PRN position, meaning that you get work (mostly) by responding to calls for help (or known needs) rather than being hired to work (and being provided with) a set number of hours per PP.

The information given to you is so ridiculous that it begs the question why anyone would ever do anything other than what I described in my first post. The more availability you give them the more unpaid services you give away?? No. Someone has this wrong. Or else they're looking to get rid of all per diem/PRN services in favor of arrangements over which they can exert more control.

I think you should ask for clarification from your manager.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Thank you for replying. This is a new policy is what I was told. Historically, I would submit what I could work and work the shifts they put me on. Being required to be available even if I'm not on the schedule and not being paid seems wrong.

It IS wrong. And possibly in violation of your state's labor laws. If you are required to be available, you should be provided "standby" pay.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

i had a prn job like that once,they said just put down when you are available,so being in need of work and checked off everyday on the paper.At first i was asked and confirmed after calling me the days needed,then they started calling at shift time and getting mad if I refused , saying that "well you put yourself as available!" It was impossible to always find babysitter for these last minute calls, and I had a long drive due to new construction,.So this did not work out.

[nursesunny, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

Nope this isn't PRN or Per Diem....this is on call. Where I work I get $7/hr to be on call if I am called in or not so a little kiss for the inconvenience but to get paid nothing?? No thanks.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I've worked a lot of PRN and per diem jobs. There is NO way I would ever accept that kind of assignment. That defeats the purpose of being PRN-they don't OWN you.

Most of mine worked like this. I'm required to give them x amount of days, certain number of weekend shifts etc. I tell them which ones I want to work. I am scheduled for those shifts. If I am not needed, I will be cancelled. Depending on where I've worked this could be a daily thing OR it could NEVER happen. Just depends on the staffing available and how busy the facility is. Now, if I want to work extra, I can always call the supervisor at 4am and offer it (okay, so it's usually not that spur of the moment but I have confused them a few times at that hour offering to come IN, not a call out at that hour).