What are the "rules" about being PRN?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

Each facility has its own rules regarding PRN staff. At my workplace, PRN nurses and techs will be autoterminated if they do not work at least once every 30 days.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Jul 7, 2014

Somewhat off topic, but I've found that having an "on the side" PRN nursing job in addition to your FT nursing job is made very tricky by the 24-hour shift-work nature of the field. I work full time 11pm-7:30am at my FT LPN job. If I tried to work PRN day shift at another facility, I won't be able to make it to the PRN job on time. And if I picked up evening shifts, I'll be late for my FT night shift job.

All you could do would be pick up PRN shifts on your days off from your FT job, but that's very situational and unreliable. If the other job staggers their shifts differently, say 2pm-1030pm or something, that gives you a little breathing room, but not much.

Caffeine_IV · Jul 7, 2014

That depends on your facility. The rule at my employer is 24 hrs every 4 weeks. It varies how strict they want to be on that.

RNIBCLC · Jul 7, 2014

At my facility, PRN must be available to work 16 hours a month to stay employed. I bet every facility has some kind of requirement. Check with your manager to be safe.

kiszi, RN · Jul 7, 2014

My facility requires PRN staff to work once a month. I get calls all the time to pick up, but more often then not I can't take the shift or am already working my FT job. I let voicemail pick up most of the time. I pick up shifts when it works for me. PRN means you work when you want to.

I highly doubt you will be fired for not picking up. There would likely be a lot of firing going on if that were the case. The only consequence may be that you don't get as many calls, which may be what you want anyway.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

My facility is 3 shifts per month.

RNperdiem, RN · Jul 7, 2014

It varies. My job requires one summer holiday, one winter holiday and a minimum of 12 hours per 2 week pay period. We did have a per diem nurse dropped because he didn't complete the required annual education.

caliotter3 · Jul 7, 2014

Even with different or same "rules" at each place, you could find that the person doing the calling could use their own system. I would attempt to speak with these people to find out the "deal", and to let them know what is going on with you. This could be very helpful in the long run.

pookyp, LPN · Jul 7, 2014

My facility is 2 shifts a month. Or you're fired.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

Each job has its own requirements for PRNs to meet. Sometimes you have to actually work X shifts a month, sometimes you just have to make yourself available for that number of shifts (and of course, they may or may not use you...but you were available so that's what counts). Some facilities have evening/weekend/holiday requirements for PRNs as well. You REALLY need to find out what the PRN requirments are at your second job, then figure out if/how you are able to meet them.

Keep in mind that they couldn't care less if you work at another facility: if you don't meet the PRN requirements because you were working elsewhere, you're out of a PRN job.

seaofclouds21, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

Like everyone else has said, it will depend on your facility. When you signed on for the prn position, they should have told you what their requirement was. My work requires a specific number of shifts in a 6 week period (our schedules run 6 weeks) and some holiday requirements (I think it was 1 in the summer and 1 in the winter). I forget how many shifts they are required to meet.

If they don't meet their requirement, they are sent a letter stating that they need to get in touch with the HR manager by a specific date or they are considered as voluntarily resigning.