PRN no raise?

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Hello,

I need some advice. I have been PRN since 2019. I work an average of 20 hours per week, or 2-3 8-hr shifts. In 2020, I received a 1% raise, as that is the minimum raise a person can receive at my organization and just recently I received the same. I am already making $2.50 less than what I was as full time in 2018. My organization does not pay PRNs more; thus, I am currently at the bottom of my pay scale. I enjoy my job and don't like switching, but I don't like management saying "our hands are tied for giving raises to PRN positions " or last year they told me "we don't give prns raises but we are being nice and giving you 1%". I find it offensive that I work so hard to come in for sick calls/vacations/short staffing and am always very flexible and willing to work wherever I am needed. How can they expect to keep PRNs on staff? This last year was tough with COVID and I always did my best to fill in but 1% isn't even meeting inflation. I don't know if it is worth finding a pt job instead of being PRN or not. Maybe I just need to vent about this.... But it just doesn't feel fair or right. Does anyone else's facility do anything similar? It seems like most other organizations treat PRN staff better.

 

 

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Just now, jammin222 said:

Hello,

How can they expect to keep PRNs on staff? This last year was tough with COVID and I always did my best to fill in but 1% isn't even meeting inflation. I don't know if it is worth finding a pt job instead of being PRN or not. Maybe I just need to vent about this.... But it just doesn't feel fair or right. Does anyone else's facility do anything similar? It seems like most other organizations treat PRN staff better.

 

 

Good question. What keeps you there? When I was PRN we got 15% diff for being PRN. How do they expect you to stay? Perhaps you shouldn't.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I don't believe that our per diem staff nurses make any more than regularly scheduled staff. They are included in the pay scale for union nurses. In my facility there are no individualized pay adjustments. So whether you come in and are a true team player, as you appear to be, or you come in and do the minimum (or nothing), you will receive the same raise, or lack thereof, as all the other nurses. Even though the hospital saves money because they don't have to cover benefits for the per diem staff, they don't treat them any better. Sorry for your frustrations. You would obviously be justified in looking for a new position, but sometimes there are benefits other than pay that make a job worthwhile. Good luck!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Everywhere I've worked, PRN comes with a differential. It makes up for not getting benefits. I would also question why you stay there, when you are actually making LESS than your benefited colleagues.

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Never made less as PRN (that I know of, that is), but I'm pretty sure the PRN differential gap has been closing in my area, at least in some organizations.

Seems like you should look for a different PRN position elsewhere. I would, on principle. I wouldn't put it past them to start saying that PRNs deserve less because of the flexibility and blah, blah, blah, while conveniently forgetting that there are actually tradeoffs for the PRN employee as well--especially the ones who do inconvenience themselves and try to help meet the needs of the organization. Sounds like a good time to remind yourself they either need your help or they don't, and it sounds like they're saying they don't.

1 hour ago, jammin222 said:

I find it offensive that I work so hard to come in for sick calls/vacations/short staffing and am always very flexible and willing to work wherever I am needed.

Now you know how they value that. Kinda hurts. But realistically it's either be hurt or be empowered.

 

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I was offered a PRN position that paid $8-10 less per hour than I would have made working full time. I was told it was the flat rate for all PRN RNs, regardless of education or experience, and I had one hour to take it or leave it.  There was also minimal scheduling flexibility for the PRN nurses.

Left it. (Based on what I've read on this site about HCA facilities, that was a good call.)

You're technically taking a pay cut each year due to the inflation rate. I think I'd stop covering sick calls and short staffing days and only work my scheduled shifts while keeping an eye out for better opportunities.

If you went part time, could you still work 8s?

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18 minutes ago, Closed Account 12345 said:

I think I'd stop covering sick calls and short staffing days and only work my scheduled shifts while keeping an eye out for better opportunities.

This.

Make your schedule by picking up holes that are posted in advance. Let them worry about their dire day-to-day needs.

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On 7/28/2021 at 5:44 PM, SmilingBluEyes said:

Good question. What keeps you there? When I was PRN we got 15% diff for being PRN. How do they expect you to stay? Perhaps you shouldn't.

Thank you for your response. Nurses used to get a differential for being PRN but that was cut before I went PRN. I think I am staying cause it isn't fun to find a new job and I like my boss. But honestly, I think that is really it. And to be honest, it really isn't about the pay as much as the reasoning behind it. I work hard too and I work more than nurses that are actually scheduled part time. Just my boss's words saying that they value me isn't really enough, I expect them to show it just like I do by being flexible and always willing to help out.

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

Well they clearly don't care about your loyalty or hard work. At least not enough to reward it. I am so sorry. You deserve better. Maybe you will have to move on to get better pay. I get not wanting to get a new job; I just don't think they care enough to treat you right.

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On 7/28/2021 at 7:48 PM, Closed Account 12345 said:

I was offered a PRN position that paid $8-10 less per hour than I would have made working full time. I was told it was the flat rate for all PRN RNs, regardless of education or experience, and I had one hour to take it or leave it.  There was also minimal scheduling flexibility for the PRN nurses.

Left it. (Based on what I've read on this site about HCA facilities, that was a good call.)

You're technically taking a pay cut each year due to the inflation rate. I think I'd stop covering sick calls and short staffing days and only work my scheduled shifts while keeping an eye out for better opportunities.

If you went part time, could you still work 8s?

$8-10/hr is a huge difference. I don't understand that because the organization does not provide you any benefits so they are really saving themselves a ton by having non-benefited staff.

Yes, I can still stay working 8s if I went part-time, which is nice. I agree that I am taking a pay cut each year, I am getting closer and closer to the bottom of the pay grade. It isn't necessarily all about the pay, more the mentality behind it. Just that I don't deserve as much as other staff even though I work more hrs than scheduled part time.

I am not sure if this matters, but I only have 12 scheduled shifts a year, so very rare that I am having to come in.

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