What are the perks of PRN nursing? Pairing you with financial freedom and flexibility, PRN nursing can elevate your career by allowing you to work exactly where you want, when you want, and how you want. break any glass ceiling and be in full control via multiple variables.
While it may initially feel overwhelming, becoming a master of your time and finances is achieved with disciplined practice. Once these skills are honed and incorporated into your life, they become the stepping stones for your success.
This article will give Nursa clinicians the utmost guidance on managing their shifts.
Why Is It Important to Manage Your Shifts?
Wondering why managing your scheduled shifts is needed? Let’s explore some benefits of doing so.
Avoid Double-booking Shifts
Clinicians might source shifts from multiple platforms. While this practice provides a sense of security, it can lead to double-booking shifts across various platforms.
When you accidentally book two shifts simultaneously, you will inevitably need to cancel one, often at the last minute. Better shift management will help you avoid this problem.
Don't Miss a Shift
Efficient shift management means you won’t accidentally miss a scheduled shift. Arrive on time and ready for every shift to avoid being flagged with "No Show," which can result in a 14-day freeze on your account.
Make it Easier to Travel Between Shifts
A major perk of being diligent with your PRN shifts is that it allows you to plan and schedule the shifts that best fit your needs, taking into account time for travel, physical activity, and your other goals. Remember, giving your best to your patients requires you to provide the best to yourself, too.
Optimize Your Schedule
One of the considerable benefits the Nursa app offers is the ability to own your time. By prioritizing the organization of your shifts, you can create the kind of work-life balance that you want without settling for someone else's time frames or restrictions.
How to Check Your Shift Schedule in the Nursa App
Nothing will help you more than being able to schedule and manage your shifts in Nursa’s centralized platform. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to check scheduled shifts in the app.
Our users can find their schedule in the Nursa app by viewing the Menu and clicking on Schedule. From there, they can view shifts by status (Open, Viewed, Requested, Scheduled, In Progress, and More) for the selected day on their calendar.
Here are some features of our Schedule page:
- The Schedule page and calendar allow you to view the dates for your scheduled shifts.
- You can change your schedule view to see shifts that are: Coming up, Completed, Waiting for Facility Confirmation, Processing Payment, Completed, Canceled, and Expired. (Expired shifts are any older shifts that have timed out. Shift reports cannot be completed for expired shifts.)
- The colored dots will guide your organization in a simple yet efficient way.
The image below shows an example of what your Schedule page may look like.
For more information on checking your schedule, view this support article in the Nursa Help Center.
3 Tips for Managing Your PRN Shifts
Now, let's digest your managing skills into simple tips and tasks.
1. Request Multiple Shifts for the Same Date and Time You Want to Work
With Nursa, there is no need to worry about double-booking and having to cancel overlapping shifts. You can request multiple shifts on Nursa that fit your availability. When you are scheduled for a shift, all other Nursa shift requests for the same date and time are hidden to prevent you from being double booked.
2. Check Your Schedule in the Nursa App to View and Track Shifts
Create a habit of regularly checking your schedule to familiarize yourself with which shifts are still pending approval and which are confirmed.
If you struggle to remember to do this, move the Nursa app to the first screen you view when you unlock your phone, create a daily reminder on your phone, or put a note on your bathroom mirror so you remember to check it every time you brush your teeth.
3. Track All Your PRN Shifts in One Location, Even Those Not in the Nursa App
Make technology your best friend and use it to your advantage by compiling all your scheduled shifts on your phone’s calendar or other tracking tool to ensure they are all tracked in the same place.
You can make a copy of this simple shift tracker template to manually log and track your shifts across platforms. Be sure to make a copy so you can edit it easily.
Pro tip: Remember to allow notifications on the Nursa App to ensure you never miss a shift.
Nursa Shift and Scheduling Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Why Can’t I See Shifts in the App?
Are you not seeing shifts in the app? There are a few reasons why you may not be seeing shifts in the app, such as the following:
- Facilities post their per diem shifts regularly, and depending on the need, there could be limited availability in your area.
- You may have filtered out all the available shifts around you. Check to make sure you don’t have too many filters applied. You can see which filters are selected by looking at the filter chips above the list of shifts. View this Nursa Support article to learn more about your Shifts Page and filters.
- Nursa may not yet be working with a facility near you. You can join a waitlist to be notified when shifts become available!
What Happens If I Miss or Cancel my Shift?
Nursa understands that unexpected events can interfere with you completing your shift, and we do our best to work with you through those difficult situations.
If you are scheduled for a shift but unable to work it for any reason, you should always cancel the shift through the Nursa app. You are welcome to reach out to Nursa Support should you need assistance canceling in the app, and you are encouraged to contact the facility and explain your call out reason.
For more details, view Nursa’s Support article on No Shows and Cancellations.
What If a Facility Cancels My Shift?
Facilities that cancel shifts on short notice will be penalized. However, there is no penalty for the clinician—you won’t need to take any action. Nursa will let you know if shifts are canceled and suggest some similar open shifts as replacements.
How Do I Remove an Unscheduled Shift I Requested?
If you can no longer work a shift you've requested, we recommend that you remove your shift request as soon as possible. You will not suffer any consequences for removing an unscheduled request.
You can remove your shift request from your schedule using the Nursa app. Read Nursa’s Support article on removing and canceling a shift.
Pick Up New Shifts to Try These Tips
Implementing these tips will prepare you to take your PRN career to the next level. It's time to put them into practice; find your next shift now.
