Nursing continues to be one of the largest healthcare professions in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that registered nurses held about 3.5 million jobs in 2025, with employment projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035.
But not every nurse wants to work a traditional full-time schedule.
Maybe you want to work around family responsibilities. Maybe you already have a full-time nursing job and want to pick up extra shifts. Or perhaps you simply want more control over when you work.
That is where PRN nursing and per diem work can fit.
But what exactly does PRN mean? Is PRN the same as per diem? How does a PRN nurse get paid? And what should you know before accepting your first flexible shift?
What Does PRN Mean in Nursing?
PRN comes from the Latin phrase pro re nata, meaning “as needed.”
In nursing, a PRN nurse generally works when a healthcare facility needs additional coverage rather than following a fixed full-time schedule.
For example, a hospital, nursing facility, or other healthcare organization may need additional nurses because of:
- Staff shortages
- Employee vacations
- Sick calls
- Increased patient volume
- Seasonal demand
- Open shifts
- Schedule changes
Instead of committing to a standard five-day workweek, a PRN nurse may work selected shifts based on the arrangement with the employer or staffing platform.
However, PRN does not have one universal definition across every employer. Requirements such as minimum shifts, scheduling expectations, benefits, and pay structures can vary.
What Is Per Diem Nursing?
Per diem nursing means working on a day-by-day or shift-by-shift basis.
A per diem nurse typically does not have the same regular schedule as a full-time employee. Instead, the nurse picks up individual shifts when opportunities are available and when the schedule works for them.
PRN and per diem nursing often overlap.
The simplest way to think about them is:
| PRN Nursing | Per Diem Nursing |
| Means working “as needed” | Usually means working individual shifts |
| Can involve an ongoing relationship with an employer | Often focuses on shift-by-shift work |
| May have employer-specific requirements | Usually offers greater scheduling flexibility |
| Benefits and minimum-shift rules vary | Pay and benefits depend on the arrangement |
| Can be part of a facility’s staffing model | Can be arranged through employers, agencies, or platforms |
The terms can be used differently by different employers, so always check the actual job or staffing agreement.
What Does a PRN Nurse Do?
A PRN nurse generally performs the same type of clinical work expected of a nurse in the same role and care setting.
For example, an RN may:
- Assess patients
- Monitor vital signs and patient conditions
- Administer medications and treatments
- Document patient information
- Communicate with physicians and other healthcare professionals
- Educate patients and families
- Assist with care planning
- Respond to changes in patient condition
The exact responsibilities depend on the nurse’s license, education, competence, and practice setting.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes registered nurses as professionals who provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public, and provide advice and emotional support.
Importantly, working PRN does not expand a nurse’s scope of practice. State nursing laws and regulations still apply.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) notes that nursing practice is governed by state Nurse Practice Acts and related rules, which establish requirements including scope of practice.
Where Can PRN Nurses Work?
PRN and per diem nurses can work in many healthcare environments, depending on their qualifications and available opportunities.
Common settings include:
- Hospitals
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Long-term care facilities
- Assisted living settings
- Outpatient facilities
- Clinics
- Home healthcare
- Specialty care environments
The BLS reports that RNs work across hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, nursing and residential care facilities, outpatient settings, schools, and other environments.
Your license, experience, certifications, and state regulations can determine which shifts you are eligible to accept.
How Much Do PRN Nurses Make?
There is no single national PRN nursing rate.
Pay can vary based on:
- Nursing license and role
- Location
- Clinical specialty
- Facility type
- Shift timing
- Experience
- Demand for workers
- Employer or staffing platform
- Overtime or differential policies
For context, the BLS reported a $97,550 median annual wage for registered nurses in May 2025, equivalent to $46.90 per hour when expressed as an hourly wage. However, this is an occupational median and not a specific PRN nursing rate.
PRN nurses should compare the actual offered rate, scheduling requirements, taxes, benefits, cancellation policies, and other terms before accepting work.
Why Do Nurses Choose PRN or Per Diem Work?
Flexibility is one of the biggest reasons nurses consider PRN and per diem work.
1. More Control Over Your Schedule
Instead of following the same weekly schedule, you may be able to choose shifts that fit your availability.
2. Extra Income
A nurse with a full-time position may use PRN shifts as a way to earn additional income.
However, your actual earnings depend on available shifts, pay rates, taxes, expenses, and how many hours you choose to work.
3. Work Around Personal Responsibilities
Flexible shifts can make it easier to work around school, family responsibilities, appointments, or another job.
4. Explore Different Work Environments
Taking occasional shifts can expose nurses to different facilities and care settings.
5. Maintain Clinical Experience
Depending on the role and employer requirements, occasional clinical work can help nurses continue practicing their skills.
What Are the Challenges of PRN Nursing?
PRN work offers flexibility, but it is not automatically the right choice for every nurse.
Potential challenges include:
- Less predictable income
- Fewer guaranteed hours
- Limited or no traditional employee benefits in some arrangements
- Having to adapt quickly to different facilities
- Different documentation systems and workplace procedures
- Scheduling competition for popular shifts
- Potential cancellation of shifts
- Tax considerations for independent contractors
For example, a nurse who depends on a guaranteed weekly paycheck may prefer a full-time or part-time position over purely flexible work.
Before switching to PRN work, consider your financial needs, benefits, professional goals, and preferred schedule.
Who Is PRN Nursing Best For?
PRN nursing may be a good fit for nurses who value flexibility and can manage variable schedules.
It can be particularly useful for:
- Nurses with full-time jobs
- Nurses looking for additional shifts
- Parents or caregivers seeking schedule flexibility
- Nurses returning to clinical work
- Nurses who want to explore different facilities
- Nurses who prefer shift-based work
It may be less suitable for someone who needs guaranteed weekly hours or relies heavily on employer-provided benefits.
How Do You Get Started With PRN Nursing?
The process depends on the employer, agency, or platform, but the basic steps are usually straightforward.
Step 1: Make Sure Your License Is Active
Nurses must be authorized to practice in the relevant jurisdiction.
NCSBN explains that licensure requirements vary by state and that nurses need authorization from the applicable board of nursing.
Step 2: Check Required Credentials
Depending on the role and facility, you may need current certifications, screenings, identification, or other documentation.
Step 3: Find Available PRN Shifts
You can look through:
- Healthcare employers
- Staffing agencies
- PRN job boards
- Healthcare staffing platforms
Step 4: Review the Shift Carefully
Before accepting a shift, check:
- Date and time
- Facility
- Location
- Role
- Pay rate
- Required credentials
- Cancellation policy
- Any special requirements
Step 5: Accept and Complete the Shift
Once confirmed, arrive prepared, follow facility policies, provide care within your scope of practice, and complete required documentation.
How Can MyShyft Help With Flexible Nursing Work?
For nurses who want a more shift-based approach to PRN and per diem work, MyShyft provides a platform for connecting healthcare professionals with facilities offering flexible shift opportunities.
According to MyShyft, healthcare professionals can create a profile, complete credentialing, get activated, and then browse and apply for available shifts.
The platform allows professionals to review opportunities based on factors such as role and location and see details including facility, time, pay rate, and notes before choosing shifts.
MyShyft describes its model as supporting per diem and PRN shifts on a shift-by-shift basis, without 13-week contracts, minimums, or long-term commitments for facilities.
For a nurse, that can make flexible work more straightforward: complete your profile and credentialing, get activated, browse available opportunities, and select shifts that fit your schedule.
PRN vs. Per Diem vs. Healthcare Gig Work
These terms can sound confusing because they overlap.
A useful way to understand them is:
PRN: Work performed as needed, often through an employer relationship.
Per diem: Work performed on an individual day or shift basis.
Healthcare gig work: Flexible, shift-based healthcare work often arranged through a digital staffing platform.
They are not necessarily three completely separate types of nursing. A single nursing shift can be described as PRN, per diem, or gig work depending on how the work is arranged.
5 Tips for New PRN Nurses
If you’re considering your first PRN or per diem shift, keep these tips in mind:
1. Read the details before accepting.
Know the location, schedule, pay, role, and requirements.
2. Keep your credentials current.
Expired licenses or certifications can prevent you from working.
3. Start with familiar settings when possible.
Your first flexible shifts may be easier if you already understand the type of environment.
4. Protect your reliability.
Arriving on time and completing confirmed shifts can help you build a strong professional reputation.
5. Don’t focus only on the hourly rate.
Consider commute time, taxes, benefits, cancellation policies, and other costs when comparing opportunities.
Final Takeaway
PRN nursing can give nurses more control over when and where they work without requiring the same fixed schedule as a traditional full-time position.
The key is understanding what the specific arrangement actually offers. PRN and per diem often overlap, but requirements, pay, benefits, and scheduling expectations can vary considerably.
If you’re looking for flexible, shift-based opportunities, a platform such as MyShyft can provide another way to discover and apply for available healthcare shifts.
Before accepting any PRN or per diem position, verify your state licensing requirements, understand the employment or contractor arrangement, and carefully review the terms of each shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always, but the terms overlap. PRN generally means “as needed,” while per diem usually refers to individual day or shift-based work. Employers and staffing platforms may use the terms differently.
They can work many hours, but PRN positions generally do not follow the same guaranteed schedule as traditional full-time employment. Requirements vary by employer.
It depends on the arrangement. Some PRN employees may receive limited benefits, while independent contractors or gig workers generally have different arrangements. Always review the specific terms before accepting a position.
Yes. Nurses must be properly authorized to practice in the applicable jurisdiction. State requirements vary, so nurses should verify requirements with the appropriate board of nursing.
Authoritative Source
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) — Nurse Workforce Projections, 2023–2038
Use for nursing workforce demand and shortage statistics. - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Use for RN/LPN employment, wage, and occupational outlook data. - National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
Use for nursing licensure, regulation, and scope-of-practice information. - American Nurses Association (ANA)
Use for professional nursing standards and workforce information.
Medical and professional disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, employment, tax, or clinical advice. Nursing scope of practice, licensing requirements, compensation, benefits, and employment classifications vary by state and organization. Always verify current requirements with your state board of nursing and the specific employer or staffing platform.