What are your thoughts on working PRN on top of FT?

I haven't posted on here in a while! But I am currently a full time RN at a local hospital med/surg/tele unit. We were recently bought out/joined to a certain health network and I am now making .70 cents less an hour (because their shift differential is based on base pay and not the straight $4.00 like our previous employers were)... our insurance is more expensive, I'm now paying for student loans for my husband (who is proudly a stay at home dad) .. and needless to say.. we're broke!! No longer able to make it on just my base income alone...

I am really wishing to supplement our income with some PRN shifts. I have an interview at a nursing home and I was just wondering what is everyone's thoughts on working PRN in a NH setting on top of working in a hospital???

I am hoping to work at least 2-3 days a month. I would be happy if I just even worked 1 day a month. I know it will be hard on me (I also have a 1 year old) but this is what we have to do right now to pay down some debt and save money. My husband has actually looked for and applied at several part time jobs but no one is willing to work with a rotating schedule (mine)...

Do PRN nurses at NH'S typically make more money per hour?? I realize you do not receive benefits or anything. What if you went on maternity leave... do they keep your job for at least 12 weeks even though you don't get 'benefits'?
Also what is your experience in general working in a NH as an RN?? What do you find yourself doing most on night shifts?

Thanks for the information.
I have always had at least 1 prn job and love them. The money is great! I can't imagine only working 40 hours a week.

We call it per diem and yes, per diem gets paid more than regular staff because of no benefits. In this economy, many of the RN's I work with are the sole breadwinners because their spouses are often out of work. So, 2nd jobs are common.

Thanks for the comments! so far I am feeling confident...

If you can handle it along with your other responsibilities, that would be an excellent way to make a few extra bucks nd I'd say go for it.It's less burdensome, because it'sjust one day and plus, it makes you give your best to the job because at the back of your mind, your have the thought of "Come shift end, I'll be gone." At least, for me, it makes me give my all.

Two or three days per month shouldn't be too bad. And, it might be a nice change of scenery if you know what I mean. Can't hurt your experience either. Good Luck.

Also how do they do orientation for just prn nurses?? Do you normally orient once a week for so many weeks or what? I'm assuming most people they hire prn have either part time or full time work already..

I had a ball working at Lowes on day every other weekend. PT doesn't have to be in Nursing. I got discounts on appliances and got to go home at a reasonable hour. Plus we had a customer have s syncope and I knew what it was and we got to call an ambulance. Wheeee.

I love per diem work! You don't have to worry about dreading coming back to work the next day... and the next... you just work whenever you need the extra money. In this economy I wouldn't feel save unless I had a per diem back up job. You just never know when you're going to be laid off.

Quote from P_RNI had a ball working at Lowes on day every other weekend. PT doesn't have to be in Nursing. I got discounts on appliances and got to go home at a reasonable hour. Plus we had a customer have s syncope and I knew what it was and we got to call an ambulance. Wheeee.

I have had a PRN job in addition to my FT one for three years. But not all PRN jobs pay more. Can you pick up extra shifts with your current employer...even if it is on a different floor/unit? That would make you the most money since you'd get time and a half after 40 hours.

I have always had PRN job since I got one year of experience. It is manageable, I usually work twice a month to to get a check everytime the facility gets paid. The good thing is it's different than my fulltime. So go for it. Now I work fulltime and do 2 shifts a month and go to school fulltime. I know I'm crazy. I've notice PRN is usually 30-50 hr but depends on location. Good luck

Quote from GM2RNI have had a PRN job in addition to my FT one for three years. But not all PRN jobs pay more. Can you pick up extra shifts with your current employer...even if it is on a different floor/unit? That would make you the most money since you'd get time and a half after 40 hours.