What is a CNA PRN and is it the right career option for me?

Have you ever come across a job ad for a “CNA certified nursing assistants PRN” and wondered what that meant?

If you’re considering a career in nursing, you may have come across the term “PRN nurse.” PRN is Latin for “pro re nata,” which means “as needed.”

In the context of nursing, a PRN nurse is a nurse who works on an as-needed basis, typically filling in for other nurses who are on vacation, sick, or on leave.

Certified nursing assistant PRN shifts grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic as front-line workers became in high-demand.

What does a PRN CNA do?

As a PRN nurse, your job is to fill in for other nurses as needed. This means that you may work at different healthcare facilities or units, depending on where you are needed. You may work on a short-term basis or for an extended period of time, depending on the needs of the facility or unit you are working in.

PRN nurses are typically responsible for providing patient care, including administering medications, monitoring vital signs, performing procedures, and assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs).

They may also be responsible for charting and communicating with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians and other nurses.

What is the difference between PRN and CNA?

While registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses can technically also work as PRN nurses, due to different certifications and lower education required for certified nursing assistants, PRN is more commonly with CNAs.

Responsibilities for PRN certified nursing assistants and full-time certified nursing assistants are largely the same; however, the work may vary with the type of employer and/or the supervisor on duty.

Can I make a good living as a PRN Certified Nursing Assistant?

As a full-time certified nursing assistant considering switching to part-time or PRN, you may be wondering if it’s possible to make a good living while working on an as-needed basis.

The answer is yes, you can make a good living working as PRN certified nursing assistant – but it all it depends on who you choose to work for.

Some platforms pay more than others, and sometimes your pay can be tied to a review from the facility you worked for. Other platforms can charge you a multitude of fees, from insurance to getting paid.

Always be sure you know how much you are going to make before you agree to working a PRN shift, and when in doubt, ask.

Let’s Start with the Average Salary for Certified Nursing Assistants

The average salary for a certified nurse assistant varies according to patient care experience, geography and the type of facility – for instance, hospital experience may pay more than a long term care facility.

The national average salary for a certified nurse assistant, according to salary.net, is $34,352 or $17 per hour.

As a Certified Nursing Assistant in Texas, the average full time salary is $34,175.

The highest salaries for CNAs in Texas is $40,972 and the lowest salary range for CNAs is $28,384. Keep in mind, these salaries are for full-time employment.

Averaging this out per hour, the pay range for as a certified nursing assistant is $13.85 to $20.12 in Texas.

How much do PRN CNAs make?

Typically, the hourly rate for PRN nurses and CNAs is higher than that for full-time nurses and CNAs. DirectCare Shifts, for instance, pays $18.00 to $21.00 per hour for a normal shift. Per hour pay can increase even more with shift differentials or for last-minute shift incentives.

You also have the opportunity to work as much or as little as you want as PRN certified nurse assistant. It is not uncommon to get paid shift differentials for nights and weekends, or earn shift bonuses for hard-to-fill shifts.

However, your overall income can be more variable than that of a full-time nurse or certified nursing assistant, depending on your certification, they types of facilities you work at, where the facility is located, and the number of shifts you work.

Are you a CNA and need help choosing the right agency to sign up with to pick up PRN shifts? Read this article here.

 

Still need help to decide if a PRN certified nursing assistant is the right career option?

Whether or not a career as a certified nursing assistant PRN is the right option for you depends on your personal preferences and career goals.

Here are some factors to consider:

1. Flexibility:

   • If you enjoy flexibility and variety in your work schedule, a career as a PRN certified nursing assistant may be a good option for you. If you are looking for part time CNA work, then per diem work is also a great way to balance your busy life. You will have the opportunity to work in different healthcare settings and units, which can be both challenging and rewarding.

2. Job security:

   • On the other hand, if you are looking for a stable and predictable work schedule, a career as a PRN certified nursing assistant may not be the best option for you. As a PRN certified nursing assistant, your work schedule and income can be more variable than that of a full-time nurse. PRN options vary, and while you may have work this week, you may not find anything the following week. Depending on the agency you work for, if a contract ends, they may not have additional work for you right away.

3. Career advancement:

   • If you are interested in pursuing advanced nursing roles, such as a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, or nurse educator, working as a PRN certified nursing assistant may provide a flexible work schedule while you attend school and advance your career. Some companies or employers provide stipends or scholarships for school if you continue to work part time.

4. Salary:

   • While PRN nurses may earn more per hour than full-time nurses, their overall income may be less due to the variability of their work schedule. Full-time employees at a facility may resent seeing PRN CNAs making more per hour than they do. Additionally, PRN CNA’s are typically hired as independent contractors, meaning that they pay for benefits like health insurance, transportation and liability insurance – as well as taxes – out of their own pocket.

In conclusion

A career as a PRN certified nursing assistant can offer flexibility and create variety in your work schedule, but it may not be the best option if you are looking for stability or opportunities for career advancement. Ultimately, the decision to become a PRN nurse should be based on your personal preferences and career goals.

DirectCare Shifts: Empowering Nurses and Direct Caregivers

At DirectCare Shifts, we understand the importance of job flexibility, a robust selection of available shifts, and competitive pay for nurses and direct caregivers. Our platform is designed to connect nurses and CNAs with healthcare facilities, employers and clients who need their services on an as-needed basis.

By joining DirectCare Shifts, you can enjoy the following benefits:

1. Job Flexibility:

   • Our platform allows you to choose the shifts you want to work, so you can balance your work and personal life.

2. Robust Selection of Available Shifts:

   • We work with a variety of healthcare facilities and clients, which means there are always plenty of shifts available.

3. Competitive Pay:

   • We pay our nurses and CNAs a fair wage that reflects their skills and experience.

4. Value for Direct Caregivers:

   • DirectCare Shifts was created by a former caregiver who knows what it’s like to be in your shoes. We see you and value you for the work you do, and we appreciate how difficult your job can be.

Join DirectCare Shifts Today

If you’re looking to make a good living working as a PRN nurse or CNA, DirectCare Shifts is the right partner for you! We value job flexibility, a robust selection of available shifts, and competitive pay for our nurses and CNAs.

Join our platform today and start working with healthcare facilities and clients who need your services on an as-needed basis.