What are the most high-demand per diem nurse jobs hiring today? And what are the per diem nursing jobs with the most competitive salaries in 2025? From the ER to the ICU, here's a rundown of today's most in-demand opportunities, how to qualify, and where you'll find the best salaries.
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Why are Per Diem RNs More in Demand than Ever?
More per diem jobs are available to nurses today than ever before, with employers increasingly turning to these flexible workers to fill staffing needs. Because per diem jobs are on an as-needed basis, they help facilities stay flexible as patient volumes shift, and as local professionals become difficult to find.
That means demand is high for per diem nurses of all types, from new grads to seasoned veterans with decades of experience. And that’s good news for nurses who thrive with flexible scheduling or variety — or those who just want to maximize their take-home pay with a fast way to work some extra shifts.
Looking for more info on per diem healthcare work? We’ve got you covered!
- What is per diem nursing, and what are the benefits of per diem nursing?
- What per diem jobs are available to allied health professionals?
- How can you find the best per diem jobs?
What are the Most High-Demand Per Diem Nurse Jobs Hiring Today?
As demand surges, so do the opportunities for per diem nurses — and in many cases, so does the pay. Of course, it’s also true that some per diem nurse specialties are more in demand than others. With that in mind, here’s a rundown of today’s most in-demand jobs, how to qualify, and where to find the per diem nursing jobs with the most competitive salaries in 2025.
#1: Med/Surg Nurses
Medical-surgical (med/surg) units are some of the busiest places in a hospital, making them the most in-demand specialty for per diem nurses according to per diem job openings from America’s leading per diem staffing and recruitment company.
- How to qualify: The work is fast paced, but typically you’ll only need basic certifications (along with your nursing license) to land a med/surg assignment, making it a top choice for those who want to boost their earnings quickly. It’s also great for newer nurses looking to build experience.
- Where to work: Where can you find the med/surg per diem nursing jobs with the most competitive salaries in 2025? This can change quickly, but in 2025, the highest-paying locations include Manchester, NH, Denver, CO, and Houston, TX. Search open jobs here.
- Bonus tip: Med/surg is also the hottest specialty for per diem CNAs. See open jobs here.
#2: Telemetry
Focused on monitoring and caring for patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, and other serious conditions, telemetry nurses fill an important role in a variety of facilities, but usually in hospitals. These jobs are great for building experience treating specific chronic conditions, or for learning new tech and best practices like advanced telemetry monitoring that can help you land other jobs.
- How to qualify: To work a telemetry per diem job, you may be required to have specific experience as well as nursing certifications in basic life-saving care. On top of that, decision-making and critical-thinking skills will also be valuable.
- Where to work: The locations with the highest-paying per diem telemetry jobs in 2025 include Thousand Oaks, CA, Chattanooga, TN, and San Antonio, TX. Search open jobs here.
#3: Critical Care / Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
There’s always demand for ICU nurses to care for those in critical, life-saving need — people who are recovering from a serious accident or surgery, or suffering from the onset of a critical condition like a heart attack or kidney failure.
- How to qualify: ICU jobs usually require experience in life-saving conditions — not just direct patient care, but the equipment and technology used to deliver it. The skills also overlap with telemetry and progressive care, so any experience in those specialties can also be helpful. You’ll also need basic certifications; specialized options like CCRN are also recommended.
- Where to work: Where can you find the per diem nursing jobs with the most competitive salaries for ICU nurses? This can change quickly, but in 2025, the highest-paying locations include Riverside, CA, Wichita, KS, and Augusta, GA. See what's available by searching all open per diem ICU nursing jobs here.
- Bonus tip: Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) jobs — critical care for newborns — are also abundant, with the most competitive salaries currently found in Las Vegas, NV and Nashville, TN.
#4: Emergency Room / ER
Hospitals often struggle to keep their ERs fully staffed, leading to plenty of per diem ER jobs across the country. A 24/7 department that can have unpredictable surges in the number of patients needing treatment, emergency departments also experience a huge variety of conditions, from broken bones to serious trauma.
- How to qualify: Requiring immediate care to patients in extreme emotional distress, the job of per diem ER nurse is perfect for those who like nonstop activity during their shifts. Basic life-saving certifications are necessary, as is a can-do attitude and lots of energy. It also helps to have triage training and certifications for trauma and Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN).
- Where to work: Here’s where to find the per diem nurse jobs with the most competitive salaries for ER nurses in 2025: Richmond, VA, Portsmouth, NH, and Asheville, NC. See what's open right now here.
#5: Intermediate / Progressive Care (PCU)
Progressive care unit (PCU) jobs involve caring for patients in immediate need of care, but not at the level that requires ICU admission. It’s called intermediate care because it’s the stage between critical care and what can be delivered at home or in an outpatient basis.
- How to qualify: Like many of the other high-demand per diem nurse specialties, the PCU calls upon nurses to deliver a wide range of care, using a diverse range of skills including teamwork, communications, independent thinking and, if the situation calls for it, leadership. You’ll also need basic certifications, with PCCN certification or specific cardiac or renal care certifications helpful too.
- Where to work: Where can you find the per diem nurse jobs with the most competitive salaries for progressive care RNs? The top locations in 2025 include Inverness, FL, Tampa Bay, FL, and Kansas City, MO. See open jobs here.
- Bonus tip: Earn up to $750 when you refer an RN to a HealthTrust per diem job! Learn more here.
Find the Most High-Demand Per Diem Nursing Jobs Hiring Today with HealthTrust Workforce Solutions
Find the most high-demand per diem nurse jobs hiring today with HealthTrust! We’ve got hundreds of open opportunities every day, including some of the most competitive per diem nursing salaries you’ll find in 2025. See for yourself — see all of our open per diem jobs here.
