Questions about working PRN

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Hi everyone,

I was hoping some of the more "seasoned" LPNs could give me some info on some of my questions before I set up an orientation with what I am hoping may be a very good job prospect.

This is basically my situation. At the present time I am not seeking to obtain a full-time job. While my children are both grown and gone, I have an 84-year-old old mother who resides with my husband and I. While in pretty decent health for a lady of that age she does require trips to various doctors. I really don't have anyone that I can depend on to make sure she gets where she needs to go other than myself and to be honest I want to spend time with her if at all possible in her "golden years" because it is important to me:) I also plan on starting classes for prerequisites in January so that I can eventually finish my RN. Hence the need for some flexibility in my work schedule. I figure working maybe three days a week would be plenty for now.

Here is what I would like info on. When you work PRN do you have the right to refuse a shift that you simply cannot work or are you obligated to work every time they call needing someone? I realize that it is probably different with each facility and I do plan on asking before I accept this offer, but what is the norm? I understand these positions do not have benefits and that is okay for now. I just want to make sure I don't bite off more than I can chew, as I did when I went to work "part-time" as a mail carrier (what a joke lol). That basically turned out that once I was trained on the different routes I was working SIX days a week with NO benefits and no right to refuse working without being written up over it. I eventually had to quit:( Is it like that working PRN with nursing or is this a more flexible way to both get some experience, make some money, and still be able to tend to the other obligations I have? I actually have two prospects, both with LTC facilities and I would like to get somewhere I can stay long enough to get some experience.

I would greatly appreciate any advice as I am going to have to decide something in the new few days.

Thanks to all and have a great day!!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Imvho it would probably look better resume wise if you took a part-time position. Most places will do either 20 our 24 hours a week. It be more structured and you would probably get a better orientation than PRN where they kind of expect you to hit the ground running. At my PRN job I have to work a certain number of shifts per month. I do not have to take a shift when called but most times I do unless I'm working at my other job. They like it when the PRN people seem willing to pitch in and help as needed which is the point of the position I guess. Good luck with whatever you decide!

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Thank you very much for your reply Jules:)

I am not so much worried about hitting the ground running because they are very much aware that I am a "new grad" nurse and I have much to learn:D. In fact I was told straight out by the lady who interviewed me she didn't mind hiring a new grad because she had discovered throughout her 40+ years of nursing that sometimes we worked out better because we hadn't developed "bad habits" as she put it lol.

I am just trying really hard to make sure I don't place myself in the same position I was in awhile back with being a mail carrier. While I am more than willing to work any shifts I CAN, I do not want my life taken over to the point I can't even get my mom to her cardiology or nephrology appointment etc.... or even keep my rotten little grandson overnight occasionally lol!

I wasn't exactly sure what PRN entailed... I have been told more than one thing by different folks, but guess I will find out for myself this Monday, as I am going to start orientation with this facility. I definitely need to get started somewhere and jobs are scarce where I am unless you have several years experience!

Oh an btw I like your avatar and wonder if you have as many of the furry little "beasts" as I do?

Have a great day!

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I started a per diem position in LTC as a new grad back in May of this year. They gave me 2 weeks orientation on the different shifts. Once a month, I give them the days that I am available to work and I am usually scheduled on those days. I must work 1 weekend per month and 1 winter and 1 summer holiday. If they are short handed on the days that I am not scheduled and they call, if I do not have plans, I will go in. But I have turned them down and they understand. I am preparing to start a LPN-RN program in the spring and I am hoping my facility will work with me to get a schedule that works around school.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Oh an btw I like your avatar and wonder if you have as many of the furry little "beasts" as I do?

Have a great day!

DH and I have stopped counting the furbabies. I think we are in denial, lol. The one that looked like my avatar was extra special. ;) Good luck and I hope you love your new job.

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I started working "casual" as a fresh, new GPN. My orientation was three day shifts and two evenings because that is what I was hired for. It was also a continuing care facility that my college used for student placements. Until new grads passed the national exam we were paid as NAs, once the pass certificate was produced we got back pay to bring us up to LPN rates.

My health authority requires casuals to submit "availability sheets" at least one month ahead. You will be expected to work one weekend a month. You can request the shifts of your choice and also tell them which units you will work. The more limitations you place on your availability the less your income will be. You also have to realize that part time employees have the first pick of shifts. The staffing office will also "pre-book" you in advance, they have some sort of formula for allowing for sick and vacation days of regulars. If they don't need you that day, they call to cancel you.

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Ty so much for info Fiona and Jen:)... I sure hope this facility is similar to yours in the scheduling ahead of time. That would definitely work for me. It is just that, "you must work this day or else" mentality that I was worried about:) It is like I stated during my interview... what I tell them I will do I will definitely do... it would have to be an absolute catastrophe for me not to follow through.

Oh and Jules... I had EIGHT cats before two more just showed up in the past few days *sigh*. I swear I have an invisible to all BUT cats tattoo on my forehead that says, "Stupid here will feed you just go to her house" LOL. The "newbie boys" aren't aware of it yet, but if they continue to hang around they are about to lose a vital part of their anatomy, as they are both still intact. Everyone else are all spayed and neutered... thats the rule to hang here lololol..... Thankfully I have a big place!!!!

I hope everyone is having a great day!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
The "newbie boys" aren't aware of it yet, but if they continue to hang around they are about to lose a vital part of their anatomy, as they are both still intact. Everyone else are all spayed and neutered... thats the rule to hang here lololol..... Thankfully I have a big place!!!!

I hope everyone is having a great day!

Ha, ha anything intact that comes in my yard unless its walking on 2 legs gets trapped and fixed. :D We have done TNR for years and it really does stabilize the population and cut down on kittens. No wonder I have to work two jobs and keep the money rolling in, lol.

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Specializes in LTC.

Well, as a full timer I am a little biased I think.....Ill use my facility as an example. We depend on our prns to 1. come in when needed and 2. to actually show up and work the shift agreed to. We have had many problems with our prns with the exception of one who is in her 70s and a killer nurse...just love her. She is more dependable than ANY other prn we have...and we have alot. The whole point of prn is as needed...so if you intend on taking a prn position and using it to just work when you want to..it wont last. Prns have to prove that they are reliable in my opinion...for example...2 yrs ago we had one on our list.....ok...now...every single time we called her to come in....she would either not answer and she never returned our calls. Now..how she managed to stay on the list for over a year is beyond me. To me...she was useless and it was a waste of ink to put her name down on the schedule or the phone number list. As a result of our prns not wanting to come in when called (most of them were begging for shifts but wouldnt come in) I had to work double shifts back to back to back for an entire year. I let my DON and administrator have an earful about that deal til they finally made it to where its rotated out if we cant get coverage. Soooo...........basically all Im saying is.....if you plan on being prn.....be prn. The nursing field is a 24/7 job in alot of settings....LTC, hospice, hospitals etc....

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I am well aware that the nursing field is 24/7 and I fully intend to work the days I am scheduled unless it is absolutely impossible. I just don't plan on having my life taken over again (as it was when I was a sub mail carrier) since I have made it very clear to all facilities I have applied to I am not able (or willing) to work a full time position at this time.

This was an old post and since then I have agreed to a set schedule to work every other weekend and every other Monday and Friday. Those two days a week they can count on me to be there. However, I learned a valuable lesson from trying to be "dependable" for the postal service and I don't plan on a repeat performance! I had bought a house and it took me six weeks to get moved into because they kept me working SIX and even sometimes SEVEN days a week when I had to run express mail on Sunday with NO benefits.... definitely not going to be taken advantage of like that again with ANY profession.

Sorry you are having so much trouble with the prn folks at your facility.

Have a great evening!

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When I worked PRN as a CNA, I would put myself on as if I was full time and let them call me off when needed. This way I was always counting on working that shift unless I was called off. That made it easy and it made it look like I was always willing to work. I had a full time schedule as PRN, and I got called off half of the time, but I was alright with it. Hope this helps, and good luck on your interview

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Specializes in ALF/SNF.

I am a PRN employee at a LTC/ALF... I give them my schedule a month in advance.... I have full availability. They circle the days they need me, and I'm expected to work that day. I think that's the way it should be in most facilities. Make sure that you make it very clear to them that you cannot work the days that you have appt's scheduled for your mom. If they need someone to work, chances are they will hound you to work, and make you feel guilty if you say no (I do). Any ways, do not let them take advantage of you- you will lose your mind, and not to mention the fact that everytime you see your scheduling coordinator, she'll give you the "look". I hate that. Other than that, I love being PRN- I get to know everyone! Good luck!

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