The novel coronavirus can be blamed for many things; death, illness, unemployment, mental health issues, a struggling economy, and more. It can also be credited with jumping up the timeline of the evolution of many things in our society, one of which directly affect the nursing industry and you: the gig economy.
The Rise of PRN Nursing Jobs and What They Are
PRN nursing has long been a part of the healthcare industry. Perhaps largely due to the seemingly ever present nursing shortages that nations worldwide have been struggling under. So, what is PRN nursing exactly? When a nurse works PRN, that means that they agree to work a specific shift that is either outside of their regularly scheduled shifts, or for a facility that they are not a regular employee of. PRN means working pro re nata, per diem, or as needed.
Before COVID-19 hit our shores, we were already a nation with a nurse shortage that allowed the subindustry of travel nursing to be a short-term solution for medical institutions while appealing to nurses who wanted to travel. We identified that while travel nursing was helping facilities, there needed to be something quicker, shorter, and better.
So, we turned our focus to shorter-term, to per diem healthcare staffing. Instead of the eight-13 week contracts for travel nurses. What about the facilities that need a nurse right now for the overnight shift? What about the CNA who wants to earn more, but can't pick up and move away from her home for eight weeks? How could we bring together all the clinicians who want to work PRN, with the medical institutions that need them? The answer is: our PRN nurse app, NursaTM.
The Evolution of Healthcare Gig Economy Sped up Due to COVID-19
In the last years, we've seen other industries moving toward a gig or freelance workforce, delivery services, business consultants, computer science, and of course the healthcare industry. However, what was once a flame growing steadily to eat away at the logs, became a raging bonfire in 2020. Almost a year after its arrival, and COVID-19 jobs for crisis response can still be found in almost every state. The strain placed on medical institutions last year created a competition never before seen in the nursing industry to recruit travel nurses and PRN clinicians and resulted in the highest ever pay packages.
Moreover, hours of visual media attention and thousands of digital articles dedicated to covering stories of nurses and the pay packages being offered for crisis response spread the word to nurses, and nursing assistants across the nation that not only were they needed, but they could earn more and do it on their terms.
PRN Gigs Will Remain a Part of the Healthcare Industry
At NursaTM, we are seeing the highest compensation rates ever offered by medical institutions across the nation. Our RNs, LPNs, and CNAs are earning more in a single shift than we've ever seen. While these pay rates may not last forever, there are a few indisputable facts that mean the gig economy for the healthcare sector is here to stay:
- PRN shifts help everyone.
- Clinicians make more money when they work PRN shifts.
- Facilities get the help they need to maintain compliant staffing ratios.
- Clinicians have freedom to choose when and where they work.
- Facilities don't have to pay benefits to PRN employees.
- Facilities are able to provide compassionate and efficient care to their patients because of PRN staff.
Over the course of the last year, the gig economy for healthcare has firmly established its presence. This rapid growth will not simply shrink or stagnate, it will continue to evolve over time. We are excited to be a part of it. Won't you join us?
Compare the Pay
Let's make it real clear the financial benefit to working PRN gigs with NursaTM by comparing the earnings our clinicians are making to the data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for clinicians in 2019. (2019 is the most recent data available from the BLS).
- In 2019, the median income for registered nurses (RNs) in the U.S. was $73,300 for the year, or $35.24 per hour.
- Currently, NursaTM has hundreds of PRN shifts available for RNs offering a wage compensation rate of $43-$54 per hour. We have RNs who are earning $650 in one shift.
- In 2019, the median income for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the U.S. was $47,480 for the year, or $22.83 per hour.
- Compare that to NursaTM PRN shifts currently offering LPNs an hourly wage of $30-$42 per hour. We have LPNs who are earning $500 for working a single shift.
- Also in 2019, the median income for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in the U.S. was $29,640 in a year, or $14.25 an hour.
- CNAs with NursaTM are earning up to $250 in only one shift. We have hundreds of PRN CNA shifts available offering great hourly compensation rates between $20-$30 an hour.
In some cases, our clinicians are being offered almost double the normal hourly rate for their work. That could be you!
About Our App
Our smartphone application does everything from creating and provide storage for your professional digital portfolio, to browsing PRN shifts in real-time that are near you. You can apply to fill the PRN shift of your choosing directly within the app, and organize your work schedule the way you want it. You'll choose when you work, and where. Download our app today, verify your license or certificate, and get started right away. Pick up a shift and experience for yourself how working PRN gigs can change your life. We have PRN shifts near you, waiting in real-time.
Check out the most popular ways to stay hydrated on the job in our post about the best water bottles for nurses.
