PRN nurses

I am a new RN (just passed my boards last week) and I've been hired to work PRN in the acute care unit at a local hospital. I was disappointed at first that I didn't get hired as a contract nurse, but the more I think about it, the more I think I should actually be grateful that I was hired to work PRN. The hospital requires PRN employees to work 1 summer and 1 winter holiday. I will work full-time during my 6 week orientation and then be on PRN status. Beyond that, it seems I can pretty much work whenever I want to. I start my job in 6 days and I already know that full-time positions are coming open in my unit. I have benefits through my husband and did not plan on using the hospital's regardless so that is not an issue for me. The base pay for contract and PRN employees is the same, but the shift and weekend differential is just slightly less for PRN employees.

I do have 3 young boys - 2, 4, and 6, so being able to schedule around their activities would be really nice. Or do full-time employees also have flexibility in their schedules? Is there an obvious choice here if I do not need the benefits? I realize that I would not have guaranteed hours....is it worth the trade off to work the days you want to. My husband has been the only provider for several years, so my money is all extra.
Quote from MILOBRII am a new RN (just passed my boards last week) and I've been hired to work PRN in the acute care unit at a local hospital. I was disappointed at first that I didn't get hired as a contract nurse, but the more I think about it, the more I think I should actually be grateful that I was hired to work PRN. The hospital requires PRN employees to work 1 summer and 1 winter holiday. I will work full-time during my 6 week orientation and then be on PRN status. Beyond that, it seems I can pretty much work whenever I want to. I start my job in 6 days and I already know that full-time positions are coming open in my unit. I have benefits through my husband and did not plan on using the hospital's regardless so that is not an issue for me. The base pay for contract and PRN employees is the same, but the shift and weekend differential is just slightly less for PRN employees.I do have 3 young boys - 2, 4, and 6, so being able to schedule around their activities would be really nice. Or do full-time employees also have flexibility in their schedules? Is there an obvious choice here if I do not need the benefits? I realize that I would not have guaranteed hours....is it worth the trade off to work the days you want to. My husband has been the only provider for several years, so my money is all extra.

"benefits" are not only health insurance. You may bemissing out on a retirement fund and other extras, like tuition reimbursement, bonuses, etc.

Quote from classicdame"benefits" are not only health insurance. You may bemissing out on a retirement fund and other extras, like tuition reimbursement, bonuses, etc.