The nursing profession is changing with more men entering roles that were traditionally considered female.
PRN nursing can provide many benefits, such as:
- Greater flexibility
- More autonomy
- Increased opportunity for career advancement
These benefits sit at the top of many clinicians’ priorities today.
As the need for new, skilled clinicians rises, men in nursing are discovering that PRN roles allow them to balance work, life, and long-term career goals while trying out different clinical settings all on their own timetable.
The increased interest in flexible, higher-impact clinical roles is also reflective of the changing nature of the profession, with opportunities for growth, leadership, and specialization more available to all.
Given the evolving expectations of the workforce and an increasing demand for autonomy, it’s not surprising that more men in nursing are opting for PRN work to mold careers in line with their goals.
The rise of men in nursing
In the United States healthcare system, there has been a steady increase in male nurses over the past decade.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, men account for a growing share of the RN workforce. This trend has been driven by cultural shifts, greater acceptance of gender diversity in nursing, and the appeal of meaningful, stable careers.
Over the past few decades, the face of nursing in the United States has undergone gradual changes. According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey, men account for about 10.4% of registered nurses (RNs) and roughly 9.1% of licensed practical nurses (LPN/LVNs).
Other sources, including nurse-education and workforce reports, place the total share of male nurses in the broader nursing workforce at 12–15%, a marked increase from the roughly 7% reported in 2008.
This steady growth points to a shift not only in numbers, but in cultural attitudes: increasingly, men view nursing as a viable, respected, and rewarding career path. As more male nurses enter the field, the profession becomes more diverse, enriching patient care, offering broader perspectives in teamwork, and helping reduce long-standing stereotypes about who “belongs” in nursing.
Generational shifts also play a significant role.
Younger nurses, especially Millennials and Gen Z clinicians, place a high value on autonomy, nontraditional career paths, and flexible scheduling. These preferences align strongly with the PRN shift model, which gives them the freedom to work on their own terms while still gaining meaningful clinical experience. As newer generations enter the nursing workforce with different expectations than the previous cohorts, flexible work options like PRN continue to grow in popularity.
Why flexibility matters more than ever
Traditional nursing schedules can feel stifling to many providers, particularly male providers juggling school, parenting, travel, or dual careers. That’s why PRN work has become so appealing. It gives control over time, money, and workload, enabling clinicians to develop sustainable routines.
A clear example of how flexibility can reshape a clinician’s work-life routine comes from Ken, an LPN who works PRN shifts with the Nursa app. In his interview, he explains that what he values most is the freedom to choose when he works:
“The only thing I can say it has really improved for me is my flexibility… If you feel like you don’t want to work, you don’t pick a shift. If you want to work, you look for a shift and pick it. That’s very flexible for me.”
You can read more about his experience in the full interview.
Today’s healthcare workers are prioritizing flexibility, especially male nurses who are opting for jobs with flexible hours and reduced workloads without affecting professional development. The PRN options allow nurses to:
- Draw boundaries
- Pursue personal goals
- Manage responsibilities outside of work
As the expectations at the workplace change, such freedom is becoming a necessity for clinicians in search of long-term balance and career satisfaction.
PRN scheduling supports real life
Many clinicians explore PRN nurse jobs to find positions that match their lifestyle and professional goals.
PRN shifts allow clinicians to:
- Accept work when they choose
- Balance outside commitments
- Reduce burnout
- Explore different work settings
- Maintain a better work-life balance for nurses
One of the main reasons male clinicians opt for PRN roles instead of full-time or part-time nursing staff roles is the ability to turn work “on or off” according to life demands.
Nursa facilitates this flexibility by providing clinicians with instant access to local PRN shifts, transparent pay rates, and real-time scheduling. Today's workers, particularly those who prefer to manage their careers, are prioritizing this.
Apart from scheduling on a shift-by-shift basis, PRN work gives clinicians a greater sense of control during big transitions in life.
Male nurses often seek PRN jobs when going back to school, moving, or adjusting to new family responsibilities. The capacity to stop, restart, or scale their workload without completely exiting the profession keeps them engaged in patient care while preserving long-term stability. One of the reasons this kind of PRN work continues to shine is the model’s adaptability for today’s clinicians.
Exploring career growth through PRN work
Clinicians can experience many different facilities or units instead of committing to only one.
Trying out different settings and roles is especially critical for men in nursing who are still discovering where they feel most fulfilled.
PRN work is an easy way to experience the different workflows, leadership, and patient populations, without a long-term commitment. This hands-on experience allows clinicians to gain clarity about their career and set the stage for deciding on a specialisation, certification, or future full-time role.
Exposure to different settings
Especially useful for early-career clinicians seeking to develop a clinical identity. PRN jobs enable nurses to witness firsthand the workflows, patient demographics, and treatment settings that exist in the healthcare world.
This informed experience helps them choose which paths are best suited to their strengths and interests. By not having to specialize right away, they gain the freedom to discover what aligns more closely with their goals.
Through PRN shifts, clinicians may gain experience across:
- Rehab and long-term care
- Medical-surgical units
- Behavioral health
- Outpatient and urgent care settings
Building capabilities
Working in multiple facilities:
- Expands clinical confidence
- Strengthens adaptability
- Accelerates decision-making
- Creates opportunities for future roles
- Provides insight into team dynamics and leadership styles
If you are a male clinician considering certification, seeking a leadership position, pursuing an advanced practice pathway, or transitioning into a specialty area, doing PRN work allows you to dabble in settings at a lower pressure.
Financial freedom and control
Financial autonomy is another major reason men choose PRN nursing. Per diem nursing roles often pay higher hourly rates than traditional staff positions, and clinicians can pick up as many shifts as they want with the platform.
Nursa allows clinicians to view the pay rate before requesting a PRN shift, so they can make transparent financial decisions that work for them.
PRN work supports financial goals by allowing clinicians to:
- Supplement full-time income
- Work fewer hours for similar pay
- Plan around major expenses
- Choose high-demand shifts or facilities
- Increase earnings without long-term commitments
Besides the hourly pay benefits, PRN work also helps with financial planning more than most people think. Nurses can choose shifts that pay top dollar during busy periods, holidays, or in high-demand facilities, earning maximum revenue with minimum effort.
PRN nursing allows you to build a schedule that meets your financial goals, whether you have student loans, childcare costs, or you work for yourself. It’s a strategic move, not just a flexible one. This closely matches other freelancing trends, indicating that today’s nurses increasingly want control over their income.
Representation and belonging in nursing
The entrance of more men into nursing will bring in diverse viewpoints, leadership approaches, and mentoring access. Their presence helps break stereotypes and motivate others to take up nursing, which is considered a meaningful, stable, and well-rewarding profession.
Men in nursing contribute by:
- Acting as role models for new clinicians
- Supporting diversity and inclusion
- Encouraging dialogue around workforce balance
- Helping normalize gender diversity in care roles
- Enhancing collaboration in clinical teams
Wider representation increasingly enables expanded patient care through inclusive offerings. Patients often have a favourable view of a varied clinical team, while it is believed that the presence of male nurses helps broaden perspectives on caregiving roles.
This makes patients feel more comfortable and helps improve the workplace environment by normalizing gender diversity in all areas. When male nurses are visible in bedside care, leadership, and PRN nursing, they help the public reframe old ideas of who belongs in the profession. As stigma continues to be addressed, more resources now exist to support men entering the profession.
The Nursa advantage for every clinician
PRN nursing can be the answer for clinicians seeking more independence, variety, or financial control. Nursa enhances this experience by providing:
- Flexible scheduling
- Transparent pay
- Local and regional PRN opportunities
- A streamlined app experience
- Independence and career control
Why PRN makes sense for men in nursing
PRN nursing lets a lot of men take on meaningful jobs without sacrificing flexibility to earn better and have more control over finances.
PRN roles often provide a stepping stone to longer-term stability for clinicians, especially those experiencing life changes.
Find chances to boost confidence and enhance clinical judgment through exposure to diverse patient populations, all without the constraints of full-time work. This makes PRN roles a great entry point for men in nursing who wish to develop careers that grow with their personal and professional needs.
Ready to take the next step? Find PRN nursing shifts with Nursa today.
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