Why are athletic trainers stepping away from PRN work?

Why are athletic trainers stepping away from PRN work?

Over the past year, I’ve noticed more ATs turning down per diem opportunities—or leaving the PRN pool altogether. PRN roles were once seen as flexible, supplemental, and a great way to stay active in the profession. Now, it seems the value proposition is shifting.

I’d love to hear directly from you:

💥 Are there too many responsibilities/liability involved?

💥 Bad experiences with coaches/athletes/parents/event operators?

💥 Do you feel PRN pay reflects the level of medical responsibility and liability we carry?

💥 How much does unclear communication, late scheduling, or disorganized event planning influence your decision to accept PRN work?

💥 Have you ever felt unsupported or unprotected in a PRN role—without clear protocols, EAPs, or supplies?

💥 Difficulty securing physician standing orders?

💥 Does PRN work still align with your professional identity, or does it feel more transactional than clinical?

💥 Have you found other roles—inside or outside athletic training—that offer better flexibility, pay, or respect for your expertise?

💥 What are your expectations of what an event operator or PRN company are supposed to provide a AT contractor?

Your insights could help shape how we design better event coverage models and create sustainable opportunities for ATs.

If it is only compensation based, please provide a reason for your rate and what goes into calculating it.

Let’s open up the conversation, drop what state you have done PRN work in and the issues/problems you have experienced... Maybe what a company is doing super well that others could learn from