In the healthcare industry, nurses are often employed under two different employment structures – per diem (PRN) and permanent positions. Depending on the needs of the healthcare facility and the nurse, one of these structures may be more suitable than the other. The differences between PRN and Per Diem can be confusing, especially for a nurse who is just starting their career. In this blog post, we aim to provide a detailed overview of PRN vs Per Diem, highlighting their similarities and differences, and helping healthcare facility managers, nursing students, and other interested parties to gain a better understanding of these two employment types.
What is per diem nursing?
“Per diem” is a Latin phrase that translates to “by the day.” Per diem nurses work erratic shifts at various locations, much like PRN nurses. Per diem nurses can work shifts at various locations, in contrast to PRN nurses who are limited to working for one hospital at a time. When full-time nurses take summer vacations and during the winter flu season, when there is expected to be a high demand for medical services, are some of the situations where per diem nurses are most frequently used.
Per diem nurses may go for extended periods of time without being chosen for a shift because their jobs are typically unstable. However, this leads to higher pay per shift and the freedom of not having to work a specific number of hours or shifts within a specific amount of time.
What is PRN nursing?
The term “pro re nata,” from which the abbreviation “PRN” is derived, means “as the circumstance arises,” indicating that a PRN nurse is only called upon when a particular medical unit requires them. The schedule is typically very flexible, and they frequently have to fill in for full-time nurses who need to take time off for personal reasons. Depending on the PRN nurses’ preferences and the medical unit they work for, the precise amount of work per week varies.
Although working as a PRN nurse doesn’t offer you the same benefits as working as a full-time nurse, it does give you more flexibility and the chance to interact with a wider range of medical professionals. However, since you would constantly be traveling, working in new places, and interacting with new people, this calls for a high level of adaptability. This also means that you have to adjust to new workplace responsibilities and policies on a regular basis because each medical facility tends to have slightly different rules.
It can be difficult to become a PRN nurse because most medical facilities demand a registered nurse license, at least one year of hands-on nursing experience, and references from prior employers. Nevertheless, depending on the number of shifts they work each week, the majority of PRN nurses can earn pay that is comparable to that of full-time jobs and additional benefits like retirement plans and health insurance.
PRN vs. per diem nursing
Although there are many similarities between PRN and per diem nursing, such as the flexibility of the work schedule and locations, they are not the same.
Similarities between PRN and per diem nursing
Here are some similarities:
Differences between PRN and per diem nursing
Some differences between the two are:
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FAQ
Do PRN get paid more?
Due to the absence of benefits and paid time off (PTO) that the facility does not have to provide for PRN therapists, PRN hourly rates are significantly higher than those for a comparable full-time OT position.
What does PRN mean per diem?
Pro Re Nata, or PRN, is a shorthand for the Latin phrase. The phrase itself can be translated as “as needed” or “when necessary.” You’ve likely also heard “per diem”. The term “per diem” means “for each day”. A PRN nurse is one who is prepared to work on an as-needed or as-needed basis.
What does PRN shift mean?
The acronym “PRN” stands for the Latin phrase “pro re nata,” which translates to “as the situation demands” or “as needed.” Fully qualified professionals who prefer to work on-call rather than as full-time employees are PRN nurses.
How many hours is PRN job?
Unlike full-time nurses, who typically work about 40 hours per week, PRN nurses can work anywhere between zero and over 40 hours per week. As with freelancers or temporary employees, PRNs can work as many or as few days as they like.
