Picking up PRN shifts means working on an as-needed basis — you choose which shifts, days, and facilities you work, and you’re paid per shift instead of on a fixed salary. To start, you need an active credential (CNA, LPN/LVN, or RN) and a way to find open shifts: a facility’s internal pool or a staffing platform. This guide covers how the work and pay actually function, what to look for, and how to pick up your first shift.
What “PRN” means — and how it relates to per diem
“PRN” comes from the Latin pro re nata, meaning “as needed.” In practice, a PRN nurse or CNA works shift by shift rather than a set weekly schedule. You’ll also hear the term per diem (“by the day”) used for the same kind of work — and while the two overlap heavily, there’s a distinction worth knowing: PRN work is usually tied to a single facility, while per diem work is picked up across multiple facilities. (We break that down in detail in per diem vs. PRN nursing, and cover the basics of as-needed work in what a per diem nurse is.)
For this guide, the important part is the shared core: you decide when and where you work, and you’re not guaranteed hours. That’s the trade — flexibility and a higher hourly rate in exchange for guaranteed shifts and benefits.
How picking up PRN shifts actually works
The arrangement is simple: a facility has an open shift it can’t fill with regular staff — a call-out, a vacation, a seasonal surge — and you agree to work it. You’re paid for that shift, and you’re not committed to anything beyond it.
A few things to expect:
- Shift lengths typically run 4 to 12 hours.
- Minimal orientation. You’re expected to step onto a unit and work, so comfort with new environments matters.
- You may float. Depending on census, you could be assigned to different units.
- Two ways to find shifts. You can join a single facility’s internal PRN pool, or use a staffing platform that shows open shifts across many facilities in an app. A platform gives you more to choose from and the freedom to work wherever you want.
How much do PRN CNAs and nurses make?
Pay is the biggest draw. Because there are no guaranteed hours and usually no benefits, the hourly rate for as-needed work is typically higher than an equivalent staff role.
Role | Typical hourly range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CNA | ~$20/hr and up | CNAs averaged about $20/hr in nursing homes in 2025 (Skilled Nursing News); per-diem shifts often pay a premium above staff rates. |
LPN / LVN | Between CNA and RN | Falls between the two; varies by market and setting. |
RN | ~$44–$48/hr average, up to ~$80 | Per diem RNs average around $44–$48/hr (Indeed, ZipRecruiter); highest in high-cost states like CA, NY, and MA. |
Two things push you toward the top of the range: location (high-cost metros pay more) and shift (ICU, ED, nights, weekends, and holidays carry premiums). For a deeper breakdown, see our PRN CNA pay guide.
How does same-day pay work?
One of the biggest frustrations with as-needed work is waiting on a two-week payroll cycle for a shift you already worked. Some platforms fix that with same-day pay — the money for today’s shift is available today.
On Switch, per-diem shifts come with same-day pay, so your cash flow keeps up with your schedule. If you’re picking up shifts because you want flexible income — around school, a primary job, or family — getting paid fast is part of what makes the flexibility actually work.
How to pick up your first shift
Getting started takes days, not weeks:
- Confirm your credentials. Make sure your license or certification is active, and your CPR/BLS and immunizations are current.
- Know your preferences. Decide your units, preferred locations, and shift types before you start browsing.
- Create your profile. On a platform like Switch, you [create your profile], add your credentials, and clear a background check and any facility-specific requirements.
- Browse and claim. Open the app, see the shifts near you, and claim the ones that fit — often with a single tap.
- Work it and get paid. Show up, do the work, and — on Switch — get paid the same day.
What to look for in a shift app (or facility pool)
Not every option treats you the same. Before you commit anywhere, compare on the things that actually affect your day and your paycheck:
- How fast you get paid — same-day, or a two-week cycle?
- Whether real people answer when something goes wrong with a shift or your pay.
- What happens when a shift is canceled (more on this below).
- Transparent pay — you should see the rate before you claim the shift.
- Continuity — can you return to facilities you know, or is every shift a cold start?
We compare the major options in detail in our guide to the best apps for picking up shifts — but those five questions are the ones to ask anywhere.
What happens if a facility cancels your shift?
This is the one that burns people. You claim a shift, plan your day around it, and then the facility cancels last-minute — or fills the spot internally and never updates the app, so you drive in, scrub on, and get told you’re not on the schedule. On most platforms, that lost day is just gone, and so is the pay.
It doesn’t have to work that way. On Switch, when a facility cancels late or fills a shift internally without canceling, the penalty lands on the facility, not you — because a shift on Switch is a commitment on both sides. It’s a small thing that tells you a lot about whether a platform actually has your back.
Making PRN work into a career
As-needed work isn’t a step down from a “real” nursing job — done deliberately, it’s a way to build a broader career on your own terms:
- Anchor a core schedule of recurring shifts, then add last-minute openings for extra income.
- Return to facilities you like. Building relationships with charge nurses and managers who request you back turns a pile of one-off shifts into a reliable roster.
- Mix your settings to protect against burnout and build a wider résumé.
- Keep your credentials current so shift offers are never delayed.
Frequently asked questions
You need an active credential (CNA, LPN/LVN, or RN). Some higher-acuity shifts prefer experience, but many as-needed shifts are open to providers at all stages, especially in long-term care.
Often within days — the main gate is credentialing and a background check.
CNAs average around $20/hour and RNs around $44–$48/hour, with per-diem rates typically at the higher end and varying by market, specialty, and shift.
Yes — many providers keep a primary role and pick up as-needed shifts on top of it. Check your employer’s moonlighting policy.
They overlap, but PRN usually means as-needed work at a single facility, while per diem means picking up shifts across multiple facilities. See per diem vs. PRN nursing.
Ready to pick up your first shift?
If you want control of your schedule, higher pay, and same-day pay — without being locked to one facility — Switch is a straightforward way to start. Download the app, create your profile, complete your onboarding, browse shifts near you, and claim the ones that fit.
You choose the work; Switch handles the rest, pays you same-day, and has your back when a facility doesn’t.
Sign up. Download. Start today.
Switch is the easiest way to get the shifts you want at the rates you deserve—in the best facilities in your area.