What is it like to live in a big city as a PRN nurse? Here are a few perks: flexibility, great pay, and the chance to gain experience by working in different units in local hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
Plus, let’s not forget what comes with big-city vibes: endless entertainment options—think dining options for foodies, live performances, and a vivacious nightlife to explore during your time off.
One huge perk of being a PRN nurse is that you can take as much time off or as much time on as you want. In other words, per diem nurses are generally in charge of creating their own schedules, allowing for an excellent work-life balance.
Feeling intrigued? Here’s how to live in a city as a nurse and make the most of a fast-paced environment and flexible schedule.
Understanding the per diem lifestyle
Per diem means “per day” in Latin. So, a per diem nurse is a healthcare professional who commits to working one shift at a time and is able to take on multiple assignments or nursing jobs in various hospitals or other facilities.
Sometimes, a per diem nurse will choose to pick up several shifts in the same hospital, which helps them gain the trust of nurse managers in that medical facility. This may help secure future nursing jobs, as the per diem nurse will begin to build rapport with other members of the healthcare team and gain familiarity with the facility's policies and procedures.
Other per diem nurses may decide to fill in for shifts at multiple local hospitals or other healthcare facilities during the month or week, making relationships and gaining experience in a diverse range of settings.
What are the advantages of working PRN?
More and more nurses are turning to per diem work because it allows them to create a flexible schedule while also earning great pay.
Per diem nurses typically make more per hour than internal staff nurses, in part because they do not receive employee benefits. In addition, when a healthcare facility urgently needs to fill gaps in staffing, the facility is much more willing to pay more for a per diem nurse to fill in.
Here are a few more BIG advantages of working as a PRN nurse:
- Flexibility in scheduling
- Work-life balance
- Professional networking
- Opportunity for high hourly income
- Exposure to different healthcare environments
- Chance to discover the perfect nursing specialty for you
Social forums such as Reddit are flooded with nurses talking about the advantages of working per diem.
One user says, “I work two PRN jobs for full-time hours, and it’s fantastic. I don’t burn out like I was before (when I was at one of the jobs FT).”
Another nurse says, “Yep!! Outpatient endoscopy and ICU per diem gigs. I've never been happier. There are no weekends, holidays, or vacations whenever I want.”
The final verdict? PRN nursing is an incredible opportunity to have flexibility and nail down a great work-life balance.
But what about living in a big city as a PRN nurse?
Ahh…big city life. Some love it; some loathe it. It all boils down to your preferences. You can live in a city as a nurse in order to access more professional opportunities and gain experience in a wide range of facilities. However, city living isn’t for everyone.
You may love living in a big city as a nurse if you meet these characteristics:
- You are an extrovert or an introvert/extrovert who needs lots or a moderate amount of social interaction with friends or acquaintances.
- You love new experiences and surprises and love having something “to do” most nights of the week.
- You crave diversity and love working as a nurse in fast-paced and sometimes chaotic environments.
- You are not afraid of taking on a nursing task that still falls within your nursing scope but requires you to step out of your comfort zone and learn new skills.
On the other hand, big-city living may not be right for you as a nurse if you identify with the following:
- You are more of an introvert and don’t need much social interaction. You would rather gather at home with a few close friends.
- You enjoy a slower pace of life and a small-knit community.
- You prefer experiences to be well planned and organized.
- You like working in nursing settings that are structured and predictable.
You should also consider that a big metropolis like New York City, Boston, or Atlanta will have a higher cost of living than a small town. However, your earnings as a PRN nurse will likely be higher in these cities. For instance, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs in New York City make an annual mean wage of $115,650. On the other hand, in Elmira, NY—a much smaller city—the average annual wage is $84,090.
Quick tips for finding housing in a big city as a PRN nurse
Travel nursing is different than PRN nursing. PRN nursing does not provide nurses with housing. So, if you are looking for permanent housing as a PRN nurse when moving to a big new city, be sure to do plenty of research beforehand.
Here are some quick tips for finding housing as a PRN nurse in a city setting:
- Facebook groups, such as Traveling Nurses Housing, could be an option for PRN nurses who want to at least have a temporary place to stay until they secure a more permanent rental.
- Furnished Finder is another viable option for PRN nurses who are looking to relocate to a large city and need a short-term place to stay.
- Diggz is an AI-powered platform that matches roommates based on their lifestyle preferences. It is currently available in 27 major cities and metropolitan areas.
Also, moving close to the medical facility or facilities you are planning to work at as a PRN nurse can save you time and money. In addition, you can take advantage of finding housing that is close to public transportation, which will make your commute easier.
Balancing work and personal life
Whether you choose to live in a large city or a small town as a nurse, it’s vital to balance your personal and nursing life.
While many individuals are switching to per diem nursing for exactly this reason—a work-life balance—it’s still important to make time for yourself. Keep in mind that nurses who work longer shifts and experience sleep deprivation are likely to develop burnout.
Therefore, it’s in your best interest to pick up enough per diem shifts to cover your expenses, including hobbies, exercise, and good nutrition, without going overboard. In other words, make sure you intentionally put together a PRN nursing schedule that works for you.
If you are a night owl, you could try working night shifts. If you are an early-bird-gets-the-worm kind of nurse, you could work morning shifts.
Some nurses prefer schedules with back-to-back 12-hour shifts or “4-on, 4-off” to enjoy the four-day gap that comes afterward. Others much prefer working office hours.
The idea is to find a work-life balance that keeps your nursing feet experienced in the field while also finding enough time to nourish your personal life.
Ready for city life?
Living in the city as a per diem nurse is a chance to make awesome cash, meet new friends, and discover all the delights an urban area can offer. If you want to branch out as a per diem nurse and have access to a diverse range of healthcare settings and experiences, then big city life could be for you.
Why not explore some options today? Use Nursa to see where you can start working as a PRN nurse in your local city or other cities throughout the U.S.
Sources:
- American Nurses Association: Nurse schedules: Pros & Cons of 12-Hour Shifts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Maps
- Reddit: Nurses who do Part Time/PRN, are you happier?
- National Library of Medicine: Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Nurse Burnout in the US
