PRN- Should I feel bad?

Leonardsmom,LPN · Jun 27, 2015

Honestly I would try to not let it bother you. It is up to you if you want to let the nurses that are asking why you don't pick up more hours or not. During the spring semester I was working full time hours while taking 15 credit hours. I had times when I would be asked if I could stay over or pick up extra hours. With the course load I was carrying I would politely let then know I could not, either because I had class the next morning or was working on a paper or had a test to study for and left it at that. As long as you are meeting the obligation of the hours that are needed for your position and the hours that you agree to work or pick up, there is no more required of you.

RNKay · Jun 27, 2015

Don't let them make you feel bad! Management will walk right over you if you let them. They most likely would make you feel bad even if you picked up more shifts and THEN said no to overtime.

"What are you, rich?" "you're young, you don't want extra money?" those are the phrases I hear at work for not working overtime, ridiculous!

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2015

You have no reason to feel bad. Staffing the unit is not your job, it's theirs. Sure as a PRN you *may* be able to pick up more than a FT'er can, but it's your choice so long as you're meeting your contractual obligations (say, if there is a minimum number of shifts you agreed to work.)

You agreed to the PRN position because that's what works for your life. Part time work isn't something that needs to be excused, anyway (referring to your concern that the RNs will think school is an excuse.) Besides, they have all been through nursing school and I would almost bet my home that they would understand completely.

Work will always be there. Nursing school will not--especially if you fail because you didn't prioritize your studies.

For what it's worth, I have worked PRN as an RN and almost never agreed to extra last-minute shifts. I had four kids (5 now), and the entire reason I worked PRN was so that I would be home most of the time.

fifiandclea · Jun 27, 2015

Thank you so much!! I honestly was debating wether I should schedule more nights next month. I work at least twice a week and try not to work more than 30 hours a week. I do say yes but not as much. I can see my supervisors and co workers getting annoyed but I did sign up to be PRN so I could have days for school and rest! Thank you for letting me see that! They have asked if I would like to work full-time before and I said no because of school. Im not in a nursing program ( I became a CNA when I thought being a nurse would be the right career choice But I changed my mind) Im trying to instead get a bachelors in Biology and work with DNA. Changing my career choice means different classes which also equals more classes. I m not worried about paying school but i am worried about doing well in school. School is and will always be number one before work for me. Thank you again!! I will nee to remember this the next time Im feeling bad for saying no :)

Lulu Belle, RN, EMT-B · Jun 27, 2015

I have had the exact same experience.

They KNOW I am a full time student with other commitments, which is why I work per diem. I'm very blessed in that I don't need to work full time while in school, so I don't!

Today the nursing secretary snapped at me "you are supposed to be able to work 7-3 and 3-11, why are you so unavailable?"

Um, because I was hired as a per diem employee required to work 2 days a month, not 40 hours a week.

I think the bottom line is you have to be firm and set boundaries while still remaining professional.

(But gosh darn it, I will never work in LTC again after this so long as I live)

Sorry to rant, but this issue had me worried to the point that I was going to ask the same exact question on here!

PS0812 · Jun 27, 2015

Heck no, don't feel badly. You're PRN. If you wanted to work full time you would. Nursing administrations love warm bodies. Stick to your guns and offer no excuses!

adamRn79, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2015

That's what PRN is.

lovesongajp · Jun 27, 2015

I'm also a PRN nurse... They call me every single day, sometimes more than once. It became exhausting saying no that many times so now I usually "go to hell 'em." Ha! I will say I did give in and work 5 (12 hr) days in a row once and they still had the nerve to call me on my way home on the 5th day and ask me to work that night, um, NOPE. All they want is a warm body and they will keep calling until they find one. Good luck to you!

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2015

Would they feel bad if they were well staffed and NEVER called you to work ? If you said anything about it their response would be "you are PRN so shifts are not guaranteed". That works both ways.

So no you shouldn't feel bad but you will if you flunk out looking after a facility that won't return the favor.

Lâ™¡vER · Jun 27, 2015

Their inability to properly staff their facility doesn't fall in the realm of your responsibility in any way.

NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN · Jun 27, 2015

There's no reason to feel bad for not accepting more shifts. You work PRN for a reason. You are going to school to further your education and that should be your first priority. If you want to tell them you are in school and that is why you cannot accept more work, go for it, but you don't owe them any explanation. Your employer knows that they have a staffing problem, it is their responsibility to figure out how to fix it. You should not feel bad for not accepting more shifts than you feel comfortable working.