Receiving great pay and working flexible hours may just be the definition of joy for nurses nationwide.
It’s called per diem nursing, and it is no secret that this type of work offers a level of freedom and financial stability that is ideal for many nurses.
Nursing is one of the most challenging jobs in the world. Therefore, those who dedicate their lives to serving others will sometimes suffer burnout, compassion fatigue, or just overall stress from working long days and back-to-back shifts.
But guess what? You can have a rewarding nursing career.
Here’s how to find joy in nursing again by working PRN.
Working PRN gives you flexibility and rest
A nurse who works as a full-time employee for a facility may work between 30 to 40 hours a week.
However, it’s not uncommon for nurses to work overtime hours and pick up back-to-back shifts of 8 hours or more, particularly when hospitals are understaffed. In these cases, regularly staffed nurses may feel overworked and fatigued.
Working per diem or on an as-needed basis is key to establishing a work-life balance.
Per diem nursing allows nurses to create a work schedule around their lives—not the other way around. With per diem nursing, you can pick up as many or as few shifts as you want. By maintaining work-life balance, nurses can have enough rest between shifts, avoid burnout, and enjoy more fulfilling careers in the long run.
Working PRN offers financial stability
PRN nurses tend to earn higher hourly rates than those of internal nursing staff. This is because healthcare facilities don’t typically provide PRN nurses any benefits. Plus, facilities need these shifts filled quickly, creating an urgency that can lead to higher hourly payouts.
The average PRN nurse can make between $30 and $50 per hour or more. These per-hour rates may also be much higher in facilities looking for last-minute coverage. PRN nurses make a pretty solid hourly pay and are blessed with the flexibility to choose when, where, and how much they want to work.
Working PRN lets you diversify your skills
One of the most significant advantages of working PRN, or pro re nata, is that it opens doors to using your skills as a nurse in various medical environments. For instance, as a registered nurse (RN), you could work in a hospital's emergency department one day and then in a medical-surgical unit the next.
Depending on your nursing specialty, you could even schedule a shift in pediatrics, oncology, or the intensive care unit (ICU). Wherever you land as a PRN nurse, expect the opportunity to put your skills to the test and hone new skills in various healthcare settings.
Diversifying your skills while working as a PRN nurse will set you up for success by making you more versatile and adaptable when applying to potential internal staff positions.
PRN nurses are happier overall
The verdict is in: Most nurses who work PRN report being happier and finding joy in nursing.
If you just pop over to a few Reddit forums, you will see just how many nurses are enjoying their newfound freedom while working PRN. One per diem nurse from Reddit says,
“I work two PRN jobs full-time, and it’s fantastic. I don’t burn out like I did before (when I was at one of the jobs at FT). I tell them when I can work, and I take a little trip/vacation every month. It’s worth not having benefits to me. I pay for my health insurance through the marketplace for a few hundred more than it cost me before. I never miss events I want to go to because I just block myself off the schedule that day.”
Research shows that a happy work-life balance is vital for longevity and can significantly improve mental and physical health. PRN nurses benefit from an awesome work-life balance, which allows them to prioritize perhaps one of the most important things in life: their wellbeing.
Can I be happy as a nurse? Start your journey in PRN nursing
Remember when you were fresh out of nursing school, with bright eyes and a thirst for making a difference in the world?
This is the energy you need to find again, and it’s possible with PRN nursing.
Flexibility, more time off, and higher hourly rates are just some highlights of PRN nursing—let’s be honest, it’s a pretty fantastic deal.
If you are ready to find joy in nursing and reap all the benefits of a balanced work-life, then PRN nursing is for you. So, yes, you can absolutely be happy as a nurse again!
Sign up with Nursa to find local, high-paying PRN jobs. Search by license, specialty, and job preferences and get matched with opportunities near you.
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