Requesting status change...good idea?!?! help!!

caliotter3 · May 27, 2010

The only problem I see with this is that if you are officially PRN, then theoretically down the road someone could very well start to use you as PRN and hire someone else as full time who would have priority over you when it comes to hours. There would be absolutely no guarantee of hours for you if you are PRN. If you are full time, they are supposed to schedule you full time. Any agreement should be obtained in writing.

brownbook · May 27, 2010

Sounds good with big BUTS. You are probably young but does benefited positions get different retirement benefits. Can you be sure you won't need medical benefits? I assume you get medical from your husband, what if he dies or loses his job? Talk with your manager about what you plan. If you are per deim you would be first canceled as they hire full time benefited personnel.

Jules A, MSN · May 27, 2010

Personally until you have been somewhere long enough to earn the reputation of a valued team member I wouldn't ask for anything...not saying you haven't already done that, wanted to make the point. :) Good luck.

LETRN · May 27, 2010

Do you have the option of forgoing benefits while staying FT? In my system we can opt out of benefits for 25% more pay and remain FT. I've chosen to do this because my husband's insurance is markedly better then what I would be offered at the hospital, and because after paying for his insurance we would still be ahead $300 per month.

I would be afraid to bump down to PRN as a new employee because your employer may not guarantee your hours.

llg, PhD, RN · May 27, 2010

I agree with the previous posters.

Going PRN (while trying to still work full time hours) works for some people, but not for others. As someone pointed out, unless your employer really WANTS a lot of PRN staff, she may choose to hire someone into that full time budgeted position and then you won't get as many hours of work as you think you will. Even if they don't hire into the budgeted position you vacate, what happens if the patient census drops? The PRN staff gets "called off" while the budgeted staff gets the chance to work the shifts available.

Also ... I know a lot of people who THINK they are going to make more money as PRN, who are shocked to discover that they actually make less in the long run. For example, with no paid vacation time, they get NO PAY at all when they take a few days off to go on vacation ... or over the holidays ... call out sick ... etc. Those periods of NO PAY at all can "eat up" the extra money you earn per hour being PRN if you are not careful. Those paid vacation days, sick days, etc. have actual dollar amounts attached to them.

Also, as someone mentioned, retirement benefits may seem small at first ... but they can really add up in the long run. You shouldn't ignore that in your calculations. Too many young people don't take retirement seriously -- and then get a rude awakening when they start thinking about retirement when they hit 40 or 50. They realize how foolish it was to ignore that back when they were in their 20's.

So ... going PRN might be right for you ... and your boss might allow it. But for most people just starting out in their careers, it is not a smart move.

netglow, ASN, RN · May 27, 2010

There is also the strong likelihood of getting dumped on as a PRN.

I remember one PRN, from when I was a student that got (along with me as a student), all the patients nobody else wanted.... all 6 octos, demented, tachy. 3 were post GI with drains and tubes. Getting report we kept asking, "demented? How demented? Tachy? How tachy? UGH that was a day.

labrador4122, RN · May 27, 2010

at my hospital to be PRN staff you have to have worked there or have 1 year experience

allnurses Guide · May 27, 2010

I'd say if you need a certain number of hours for a paycheck to live on, stick with the staff position. PRN is way too iffy.

Sparrowhawk · May 27, 2010

PRN not a good way to go if you want full time hours...you can choose not to have the benefits and still be full time. Benefits aren't mandatory are they?

lkwashington · May 27, 2010

Just take everything in consideration. I agree with most of the above posts. They have some valuable information. Just write down pros and cons. Talk to your husband Then go from there. Good luck.

mamamerlee, LPN · May 27, 2010

Stick with the staff position - you will still want/need sick time, vac time, insurances, etc. I doubt you will save that $3 to make up for the days you will want off at some time. Also, you will always be the first to be cancelled, as others have mentioned.