Many healthcare professionals have preconceived notions about PRN nursing. Some believe these roles are unstable, offer lower pay, or make nurses feel disconnected from the care team.
Per diem nursing jobs give you freedom and flexibility to combine jobs that suit your professional and personal lifestyle.
In this article, we’ll clear up the most common PRN nursing misconceptions, showing how PRN work is different today and why more nurses are choosing this path for a better work-life balance.
Why PRN nursing gets misunderstood
Lots of clinicians continue to hold outdated ideas about how PRN shifts and flexible nursing jobs work, despite their increasing popularity.
Older staffing systems were not transparent. The system was based on lists, job boards, last-minute phone calls, emails, and even sticky notes. Clinicians were often confused about whether they would be scheduled, or when and how much they would be paid.
But today’s PRN model looks completely different.
Technology has revolutionized how PRN nursing operates. These days, online platforms offer access to numerous openings, clear pay rates, and facility details.
This change increases transparency and allows nurses to strategically plan their careers. As a result, PRN shifts have become a new normal for many clinicians.
Clinicians are no longer sitting back and waiting for staffing agencies to call with a last-minute request. Instead, they are using platforms like Nursa to search through available openings, hourly rates, facility details, and find shifts that meet their needs.
Sadly, many of these nursing myths still exist, particularly regarding commitment, income, and reliability. We’re here to bust those myths!
4 Myths about PRN nursing: Busted
Setting the record straight about these misconceptions enables clinicians to make informed decisions rather than relying on antiquated assumptions.
So, let’s clear the air!
Myth #1: PRN nurses can’t earn a consistent income
One common concern is that being a PRN nurse does not offer predictable pay. However, in practice, PRN can offer income stability, especially with the on-demand platform model and the explosive growth of facilities’ needs.
First, PRN typically offers higher hourly pay. Often, facilities adjust compensation to secure last-minute or high-need coverage, meaning PRN nurse shift pay can be higher than traditional roles. A few PRN shifts a week can equal or exceed a full-time salary equivalent; this surprises many clinicians.
Second, PRN doesn’t have to replace other forms of employment. It can be an additional income stream or a side job to save up for a big purchase, trip, or the holidays. Many clinicians combine PRN with part-time or full-time jobs to create a hybrid schedule that works with their lifestyle and finances. This method helps nurses to stay flexible and earn a consistent income.
Nursa lists shift rates upfront, making pay transparent. Clinicians know exactly what they will earn before accepting a shift, something not always available in traditional full-time roles.
Related: Why nurses and CNAs love working per diem shifts
Myth #2: PRN nurses aren’t part of the team
This common myth is that clinicians working PRN feel lonely or disconnected as they transit between facilities.
PRN clinicians walk onto shift ready to work wherever they’re needed. They’re brought in to make in-house staff workloads more manageable, balance out staffing ratios, and often do the tasks others don’t want to do. PRN nurses work well with staff teams and are often valued by staff, especially during busy times or staffing gaps.
A number of PRN clinicians pick up multiple shifts at the same facility and become familiar with workflows, expectations, and colleagues. As time passes, they become reliable contributors who aid teams in providing continuous care. People say PRN nurses are “outsiders” because of the outdated agency model, but not because of the new PRN model.
Flexible scheduling doesn’t have to mean a lack of connection. Many clinicians say PRN helps them avoid burnout, keep positive relationships, find joy in their work again, and choose the places they work based on values and style.
PRN nurses can create a strong network of professionals. When clinicians work in different facilities, they can meet a variety of healthcare professionals and form community and connections either for support or future professional opportunities.
Myth #3: PRN work is only for certain career stages
Many believe PRN is restricted to new graduates dipping a toe in the pool or experienced nurses winding down their career. However, PRN work is flexible enough to be appropriate for every professional stage.
Many clinicians at the mid-career level pick PRN jobs for better work-life balance or to reduce burnout. They do it to have more control over their PRN schedule and a change of scenery.
Completing a nursing degree opens doors to a wide range of opportunities. Nurses can also take advantage of flexible PRN roles to work closer to home while pursuing other interests.
Parents who need help due to changing family needs will use PRN so they can create more time at home or work around their partner’s more rigid work schedule. Nurses seeking a specialty or advanced degree use PRN while they further their education without losing clinical hours.
PRN is also a great option for clinicians who wish to investigate other settings without immediately committing to a full-time role. Through this exposure, clinicians develop more skills, pursue areas of interest, and choose the right career path for themselves while still retaining the flexibility and autonomy that a full-time role may not offer.
Having a variety of work experiences not only strengthens your resume but also makes you feel energized and rewarded at work.
Myth #4: PRN jobs are hard to find or unreliable
This misconception comes from the days when per diem work depended on agency calls. However, it is easier than ever to find PRN jobs today. Clinicians can instantly find nearby shifts with the help of Nursa’s platform.
Nurses can look at openings in real time instead of waiting for an agency recruiter to contact them. They can pick when, where, and how often to work.
Reliable access to open shifts on Nursa is driven by:
- Real-time notifications for new shifts
- Verified credentials and background checks stored directly in the app
- Open shift searches by city and state
- Consistent demand as more facilities adopt on-demand staffing
- Clear pay transparency with posted hourly rates
PRN is no longer an unpredictable waiting game. It has become a reliable part of modern healthcare staffing.
Why flexible nursing is the future
Healthcare is changing. Clinicians want autonomy, manageable workloads, healthy schedules, and choice.
Industry data indicate that the global per diem nurse staffing market is projected to grow from USD 8.13 billion in 2022 to USD 13.07 billion by 2030, representing an average annual growth rate of approximately 6.2%. This trend underscores the rapid growth of PRN as one of the fastest-growing models in nursing.
A PRN work model allows for flexibility in hours, taking breaks without risk of losing work, and exposure to new environments and units.
Platforms like Nursa make flexible work easier for clinicians by giving them easy access to shifts, transparent pay, and the ability to choose where to work.
As healthcare staffing evolves, the world of per diem nursing has evolved as well, in order to continue supporting both facilities and clinicians in their work, and ensuring patients receive the care they need.
The future of nursing emphasizes autonomy, transparency, and choice, the very essence of flexible PRN-based work.
See for yourself
PRN nursing has undergone significant changes since the origin of these misconceptions.
The Nursa platform is a modern tool that gives you immediate access to shifts along with details on hours, location, and pay. PRN is a great option for nurses looking for schedule flexibility, opportunities, and a sustainable income.
Take control of your schedule and start picking PRN shifts that fit your lifestyle. Sign up with Nursa today and start browsing local PRN shift opportunities near you.
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