You got into travel nursing because you love the flexibility of being able to explore different parts of the country while working for a set amount of time.
But what if your travel nursing career could be even more flexible?
If you don’t need to work a standard 40 hours every week, or you value the ability to take jobs when and where you choose, PRN travel nursing may be a good fit for you.
We’ll explain PRN travel nursing, its benefits and disadvantages, and how you can find the perfect job.
Table of Contents
- What Is Travel PRN?
- Can You Work PRN as a Travel Nurse?
- How To Become a PRN Travel Nurse
- How To Find PRN Travel Nurse Assignments Near You
- 4 Reasons To Consider PRN Travel Nurse Assignments
- Cons of PRN Travel Nursing
- Trusted Nurse Staffing Can Help You Secure Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment
What Is Travel PRN?
PRN stands for the Latin term “pro ne rata.” This means as needed or as the situation demands. So PRN travel nurses are those who prefer working on-call instead of full-time.
Some PRN nursing positions may have set minimum hours, but they’re usually based on the needs of the employers and have flexible working days and times. PRN travel nurses may work one shift every once in a while or they may be scheduled for a variety of shifts as the need arises, such as other nurses going on vacation or calling in sick.
You may also see PRN travel nurses referred to as per diem nurses.
Can You Work PRN as a Travel Nurse?
Although travel nursing is a highly flexible industry, it usually involves full-time contract work with specified components such as:
- The number of weeks you will work for each contract
- The number of hours you will work each week; and
- The facility where you will perform these services
But it is possible to bring the flexibility of PRN work to travel nursing. Say you’re travel nursing in a city or state that you really want to use your time to explore while you’re there. Instead of offering a typical contract where you’re locked into 40 hours per week, facilities may be okay with you working fewer shifts on an as-needed basis. This will largely depend on their current staffing needs, so it may not work out in some cases.
Some people also choose to retain PRN status at their home facilities while they are working as a travel nurse. This adds even more flexibility to the job as they are able to earn income in between travel nursing assignments.
How To Become a PRN Travel Nurse
If you are a registered nurse with the necessary licensure, you can work as a PRN travel nurse in any facility that accommodates this position. If you’re looking for PRN opportunities around your home base, you may want to apply to temporary nursing pools at the places you’re interested in working.
If you want to take advantage of PRN assignments while traveling, check with your agency. An established travel nursing agency should have information about facilities they contract with allowing employees to request PRN work rather than a typical contract.
How To Find PRN Travel Nurse Assignments Near You
If you’d like to find PRN travel nurse assignments in your own state — or any other place in the U.S. where you’re interested in traveling — you should check with Trusted Nurse Staffing to see what opportunities are available.
A career in travel nursing means being able to do whatever else it is you love, and the added flexibility of taking PRN shifts gives you even more time for that. With the Trusted Nurse Staffing Pronto app, you can enter your search details and find jobs that meet your requirements.
Plus, you’ll always have the backing of our top-notch staff to help you design the employment situation of your dreams. Go to Pronto now to search for jobs near you.
4 Reasons To Consider PRN Travel Nurse Assignments
Now that we’ve answered your questions about PRN travel nursing, let’s look at some reasons you may want to consider taking these kinds of assignments.
#1: Schedule Flexibility
Travel nursing itself is quite flexible because you have the opportunity to work in different areas, facilities, and specialties all within a short period of time. But PRN travel nurse assignments can add even more flexibility to this field.
A travel nurse can basically become their own boss in this scenario, as they are free to choose where and when they’d like to work. This flexibility allows:
- Even more time for travel and leisure.
- The ability to go back home for planned events when needed.
- The ability to turn down jobs from facilities you don’t enjoy as much.
- Opportunities to work in several different specialties in a short time.
If you don’t have a set budget during a specific travel nursing assignment, you may be able to turn down jobs more freely. If you decide you’d like to pick up some extra shifts, you can do that when they come along.
#2: Resume Building
Since PRN travel nurses are able to work in many different areas of a hospital or other healthcare facility, they can gain experience in a variety of specialties and pump up their resumes.
If you as a travel nurse are curious about or interested in specific areas, you can let the hospital or your staffing company know what you’re looking for. If certain departments have last-minute call-outs or need to fill spaces due to vacation time, they’ll be thrilled to have you as an available resource.
#3: Keep Your License Current
If you’re a licensed and registered nurse who isn’t working full-time, it can be difficult to keep up with the CEUs required for license renewal. PRN travel nursing lets you stay active enough in your career that it will be easier to work the required hours or attend related conferences to fulfill those continuing education units.
#4: No Single-Facility Obligation
They say that variety is the spice of life! If you’re the type of person who gets bored working in the same place all the time, PRN travel nursing is a perfect option for you.
Since you aren’t locked into a contract with one specific facility, you can try out different places. If you find one you really love and decide you want to work there more often, great. And if not, you’re open to keep taking shifts at a variety of workplaces.
Cons of PRN Travel Nursing
PRN travel nursing offers many benefits, but it can also be tricky to navigate if you have certain needs. Here are some of the disadvantages of structuring your work life this way.
You Won’t Have Guaranteed Hours
If you need more of a stable income and a minimum level of pay, PRN travel nursing may not be the best fit for you. That’s because there may be times when the departments you want to work in are fully staffed and don’t need any relief workers.
It’s also possible that a PRN worker could be called in to work a shift only to discover that there isn’t as much work to be done as was originally thought. This means they could be sent home —since there is no guarantee that they will work a specific number of hours — and lose out on the pay they were counting on when they accepted the job.
Travel Costs While on PRN Travel Nurse Assignments
Since PRN travel nurses aren’t working under a standard contract, they often don’t get the same perks that come with other jobs. For instance, travel and housing stipends are usually only available to nurses who work full-time for an agreed-upon number of weeks.
If you don’t have friends or family in the area where you want to PRN, that means you’ll have to pay for your own lodging, gas, flights, etc. These expenses can really add up and may be a hardship if you are only picking up the occasional shift.
Lack of Benefits
Besides the stipends discussed above, there are also many benefits associated with travel nursing that you probably won’t get if you’re only working PRN shifts.
Trusted Nurse Staffing offers some of the most competitive benefits around, including:
- Highest pay rates in the industry
- 401(k) plans
- Flexible contracts of 6, 8, or 13 weeks long, plus even more options
- Full-time and part-time work
- 24/7 access and support from your recruiter
- Overtime/double-time availability
- Weekly paychecks, daily pay, and advances offered
- Direct deposit payments
- Housing, meal, and travel allowances
- A customized benefits package
- Blue Cross & Blue Shield insurance
- License, certifications, and CEU reimbursements
- A loyalty program
- Referral bonus plan
- Priority job order bonuses
- Sign-on and completion bonuses
If these benefits are important to you, PRN travel nursing may not be the right path.
State Licensure
One of the fun things about PRN travel nursing is that you can conceivably pick up shifts wherever you go. For instance, if you’re visiting family or on vacation and want to make some extra money while you’re there, you could reach out to see if any facilities nearby are offering per diem work.
However, to do this you must either be licensed in that state or hold a license that’s part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. If you’re not, it’s probably not worth it to go through the state licensure process unless you’re planning to be in that location a lot in the future.
It’s Harder to Make Connections
One fun thing about travel nursing is getting to know a variety of people in different cities or states. If you don’t have the typical contract that allows you to work in the same department for 13 weeks at a time, you’ll have a harder time forming bonds and friendships with your coworkers.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who builds connections quickly and easily, working as a PRN travel nurse can give you even more opportunities to make new friends.
Trusted Nurse Staffing Can Help You Secure Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment
Trusted Nurse Staffing wants you to be able to get everything you want out of travel nursing. Whether that’s the option of picking up PRN shifts, having access to top-notch benefits, or being backed by a support team that’s always there for you, we have you covered.
Do you have dreams of traveling the country while still fulfilling your passion for your career? We offer flexible contracts in all 50 states. Use the Pronto app to find great opportunities and take control of your work life.
Connect with Trusted Nurse Staffing via Pronto today.