I am also a casual and I am liking the flexibility that it offers. I have been at this job for about 2 months now and I often get called 2 times a day to work that night or the next day. I find myself sometimes avoiding the phone call all together because it is too much. I consider myself very lucky to be able to obtain "full time" work as a casual, but as a downside I get no benefits. For me though, having the flexibilty at this point (I am young) outweighs having benefits right now.
For those of you who are also casuals, what is your opinion on avoiding staffing phone calls....is it wrong to not pick up the phone? For me, working my 3-4 shifts a week that I have pre-booked is plenty for me as I do have another job. I just feel bad that I let the phone ring, does it look bad to the manager if I dont pick up the additional shifts?
I did it for 6 months when my daughter was born. I worked 2 days, as opposed to 3. More money per/hr, got to chose what days I could work. I was married at the time, so i was under my exH's insurance.
I think there was once I got called off...... I didn't mind, I made plans immediately. Then they called me back 30 min later to change their mind and ask me to come in....... I didn't pick up the phone! They needed someone the next day so I made up the hours. When I wanted and was able to a 3rd day, the opportunity was there.
However, if you need insurance, want PTO, want some sort of retirement plan, this isn;'t the way to go.
I work PRN because I love the flexibility. I work two PRN jobs for the job security, and I have more offers for work than I can ever accept. I think it helps too that I have cross-trained into several different areas (step-down, med-surg, peds, etc) so that I have more potential areas I can work before I would get canceled.
I am not yet a nurse, but when I am I would like to work PRN. Please tell: as a new grad, did you work med surge for a couple of years to solidify your skills/gain experience? I imagine you were cross trained as a staff member? I ask because I am trying to chart the trajectory of my career. I like the idea of being a permanent casual (or a traveler) after I gain my initial experience.
Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
I like being able to work whatever days that I want to. I can take off whenever I like. I get plenty of hours... well, here lately I'm getting plenty of hours anyway.
The downside is that I get no benefits... no insurance, no vacation time, no sick time. I could live without the vacation and sick time, but I really need insurance so I'm looking to go full time in the near future.
I just switched to PRN status this past Sunday. One of the main reasons for the switch was because I needed more time to focus on school (pursuing MSN).
I like that I don't have to work 3 days a week anymore, and I can schedule myself in whenever I want. I also have another PRN-type job where I could pick up shifts if I want to.
I am quite sure I could get full-time hours on my floor if I chose to.
It has been a little time-consuming finding my own insurance, but so far, the change has been so worth it. The pay is higher as well.
i worked per diem/agency for several years. some months i made great money, especially from around oct thru early january when the regular staff was totally uninterested in working overtime during the holidays. after then, the work totally dried up as the regular staff got their holiday credit card statements and the hospital staffing offices got their monthly agency bills and starts mandating ot from the regular staff. one year i worked a total of six days in three months between jan and march.
but then come summer, the staff was burnt to a crisp and wanting vaca with their kids, so the work picked up.
i got used to the ebb and flow, but if you can't live with this sort of uncertainty, getting a regular job is better.
Dove87
14 Posts
I am also a casual and I am liking the flexibility that it offers. I have been at this job for about 2 months now and I often get called 2 times a day to work that night or the next day. I find myself sometimes avoiding the phone call all together because it is too much. I consider myself very lucky to be able to obtain "full time" work as a casual, but as a downside I get no benefits. For me though, having the flexibilty at this point (I am young) outweighs having benefits right now.
For those of you who are also casuals, what is your opinion on avoiding staffing phone calls....is it wrong to not pick up the phone? For me, working my 3-4 shifts a week that I have pre-booked is plenty for me as I do have another job. I just feel bad that I let the phone ring, does it look bad to the manager if I dont pick up the additional shifts?