PRN status question

[Palmetto_Nurse]

Can a nurse who has PRN staus purchase short term disability if the nurse's employer offers it? Or is short term disability a full time benefit only?

[RNKPCE]

I think it depends on the company you work for. Where I work both full time and part time employees get short term disability as a benefit but not prn. There are outside companies you might be able to buy it from but it maybe tougher to get underwritten on and more $$

[Palmetto_Nurse]

I think it depends on the company you work for. Where I work both full time and part time employees get short term disability as a benefit but not prn. There are outside companies you might be able to buy it from but it maybe tougher to get underwritten on and more $$

Thanks, batmik. I was PRN for over 8 years with my previous job and never thought twice about benefits. My husband carries our health and dental insurance and I was still able to contribute to my 401k which is super important to me. When we moved, I came onto my current job full time with no health insurance benefits, but was able to purchase short term disability insurance. To be honest, I signed up for it "on second thought" because it was so cheap...and boy am I glad I had it. I ended up having to have surgery in Jan. and was out 5 weeks. Then in March, I broke my foot which kept me out for another 5 weeks. Now I'm afraid to go without it. Even though I'm young and healthy, ya never know, ya know?

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Generally, per diem employees are not eligible for benefits. That means no PTO and no STD. You typically need to be benefits eligible to enroll in STD and, if you're per diem, you're not benefits eligible. There may be some employer that allows it, but I've certainly never heard of it.

[Palmetto_Nurse]

Generally, per diem employees are not eligible for benefits. That means no PTO and no STD. You typically need to be benefits eligible to enroll in STD and, if you're per diem, you're not benefits eligible. There may be some employer that allows it, but I've certainly never heard of it.

This is what I thought. Thank you for your insight. I think I will post a follow up question re. individual STD which I'm sure is outrageously $$$$.