what is prn work

PRN is an acronym for the Latin term "pro re nata," which means "as needed" or "as the situation demands". PRN work refers to temporary employment where an employee works only when needed, to fill in for an absent employee or to cover a special situation. PRN workers are not part-time or full-time employees, but fully licensed professionals who want to work on-call instead of as a full-time employee. PRN work is common in the healthcare industry, where nurses, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists, and many other healthcare workers work PRN. PRN nurses, for example, may work a single shift or may work a variety of shifts, filling in for nurses on vacation or in times of high need. PRN work provides employees with the opportunity to make extra money and the freedom to choose assignments and shifts. However, hours are not guaranteed for PRNs, and work schedules are often created in advance, so PRN workers can be sent home if the shift is light and they are not needed, resulting in a loss of hours and pay.