PRN

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jul 20, 2013

PRN here! Wouldn't have it any other way! Vacation whenever I want! Two days a week: sometimes back to back but mostly spaced out! Sign up for extra days when I want to do something extra like taking a cruise or heading to the beach. The money is great so I pay for car note, car and health insurance and the usual nagging, never-ending bills like utilities, rent, etc., from just the two days a week. Love the cancellations but being placed on-call sucks!!!!

You're gonna love it!!!

RNKPCE · Jul 20, 2013

Love it! Work PRN two jobs for a total of about 20-24 hours a week. The flexibility is the main reason I do it, no worrying about whether I will get the time off I want. This is a big satisfier to me. The second reason I love it is the extra pay, my husband has the benefits so I don't need them. Yes I get canceled occasionally but not that often.

RNperdiem, RN · Jul 21, 2013

PRN working once a week here, sometimes 3-7 if someone wants to leave work early and they contact me early enough. Otherwise I am a housewife.

Pros: less stress with fewer hours, complete flexibility in schedule, higher pay rate compared to when I worked full time(I fund my own retirement account and my husband's job carries the health insurance)

Cons: can get cancelled(fairly rare), not all units treat per diems or float staff well, possible coworker jealousy("Must be nice to work once a week; I wouldn't know.")

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 21, 2013

I've worked PRN at two jobs for the past year-plus. Currently I work 2 days a week; I've worked the equivalent of full-time hours in the past and could easily do so again if it wasn't for the infant at home. So for right now, I prefer to have flexibility in my schedule.

If I get cancelled and want those hours that week, I just put in for a weekend shift which is pretty much guaranteed. Benefits aren't an issue so I don't worry about them. One job pays far better than the other so they get priority when it comes to making myself available.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2013

I've been working PRN at the same facility for three years. This is my only job and it generates enough cash flow for me to live comfortably. I typically work two to three 12 hour shifts per week.

corgimomRN · Aug 24, 2013

I went PRN right out of school, I work full time on a set schedule. I just dropped down to 2 days a week b/c I am getting the hang of things and I want to. If you don't need benefits it's the way to go. I can work full time hours down to only 600 hrs a year. MY choice! Yes haters will hate when you get to be first down staffed but they will like it when you have the freedom to pick up a shift for them.

OCRN3 · Aug 24, 2013

Work PRN on the floor 3 times a month, and it makes things great. Freedom and flexibility is the key to my satisfaction. I have just accepted a teaching position 4 months in, even though its 4 days a week it's an easy 4 days. I will give that job till the end of the year before I decide to go PRN only. I think that's what will end up happening. Can't get used to the Monday thru Friday thing.

Pros PRN

Schedule when u want

Pay

3 days a month only

Cancel self whenever

Cons

No health insurance

First to float

Sometimes they give u a heavier run

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Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2013

I'm about to start my first PRN job. So far, I've worked full time and part time, and I much preferred part time. I just don't have it in me to work full time. I value my free time way too much.

So, pros for me are:

Higher rate of pay (base pay plus 15% premium and any shift differentials)

Work when I want, don't work when I don't want

Don't have to put in for vacation

Scheduled staff is expected to cover holidays

Since it's in the ED, I won't be floating

Cons:

No more health insurance!!! Yikes!

No guaranteed hours

I plan on working 2 shifts per week on average, although sometimes I might work a whole lot, then not work at all for several weeks so I can travel, then work a whole lot when I get back.

DoeRN · Aug 24, 2013

Pros: I work PRN and I do like it because of the flexibility and the pay. I make almost $20 more an hour than regular staff.

Not having to work weekends and holidays if I don't want too.

Not having to worry about getting time off.

I can take a month off it I need too.

Floating to different floors. I don't get mixed up with all the politics.

Cons: I was canceled this morning so during the slow months it can really tie up your schedule when you are canceled and have to pick up an extra day. So now since I was canceled twice this week I need to try to make up those days next week.

Bad assignments but I know I'm not coming back the next day so I get the day over with.

No benefits which sucks because now I need them for an upcoming surgery. I have insurance on my own but it would sure be nice to get some sick pay while I'm out.

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13grad71 · Jul 17, 2015

Same here. I work PRN but almost always get 3 12 hour shifts unless I specifically block my days. Yet, sometimes I still get called even on block days. However, when census is down, you are the first to go. I like the higher pay and like the PP I fund my own retirement pay and set aside x hours x pay rate per paycheck to my vacation fund. Medical insurance thru spouse.

This set up works for now, but I will probably go full time down the road.

sparklie.lady · Jul 17, 2015

PRN (and a full time job) here! I work 48 hours every six weeks to keep the position. (Luckily right now, my unit is dangerously understaffed, so I rarely get cancelled.). Good luck! If you can make do with the hours and don't need health insurance, enjoy it! I find that being PRN allows me to enjoy everything I loved about this job while not having to care about management's dumb policies and the politics therein.