What is per diem nursing, and why are so many nurses choosing it as a career option? From the details on the benefits of per diem work to the steps to take to get those benefits, here are 8 things every nurse should understand about what it means to work as a per diem nurse.
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What is per diem nursing?
Let’s start at the start. What exactly is per diem nursing in the first place? A per diem nursing job is an assignment where you work only when you’re needed. Like a substitute teacher, a per diem nurse is on call to fill in when someone is sick or on leave, or when a hospital or other facility is experiencing a surge in patients that’s a bit too much for their core staff to handle without help.
Per diem nursing jobs can be temporary or permanent. They’re often in hospitals, but increasingly in other types of care facilities, too. And, while a per diem nurse will sometimes know when they’ll need to work ahead of time, they’re usually called in with little advance warning. In other words, per diem nurses are on call, and expected to be ready to work on short notice.
What’s the difference between per diem and PRN nursing?
Is per diem the same as PRN nursing? They’re similar, but not the same. While they’re both Latin phrases, per diem means “per day” while PRN generally means “as needed.” In practice, PRN nurses and employed by a single facility or organization, and can only work there. Per diem nurses, on the other hand, are contractors who can work for any employer or agency they choose.
Why Work as a Per Diem Nurse?
4 Benefits & 4 Action Items
What are the benefits of working per diem nursing jobs? For those who choose to work them, per diem jobs offer some exceptional benefits. But getting the full value of per diem work means making some smart choices, too. Here’s what you should know.
> What’s the Short Version? 8 Things to Know about Per Diem Nursing:
- Per diem nursing offers career flexibility.
- Getting that flexibility means requires full transparency into assignment details.
- Per diem work is a great way to build skills and earn job security.
- It’s especially helpful for nurses looking to build experience in new specialties.
- Per diem nursing expands your networking opportunities.
- Join associations and attend conferences for even more career connections.
- Per diem jobs usually offer higher pay than permanent positions.
- Always make sure that your recruitment partner offers full pay transparency.
Benefit #1: Career flexibility.
Many nurses work per diem jobs because they value (or they need) flexibility in their day-to-day lives. And per diem work lets them choose not only the time and place they want to work but also the days and shifts they’re available.
The option to work fewer hours while still earning a yearly income can be extremely helpful in certain situations. For example, nurses who are going to school, preparing for retirement, or caring for family members may not want a full-time job, but still need to pick up the occasional shift — not just to bring in income, but to keep up their license or general employability.
> Action Item #1: If you need job flexibility, find a jobsite that provides full transparency into every detail of your assignment — where it is, how you can qualify to work there, and exactly how much you’ll make. Check out the HealthTrust jobsite for an example of full transparency in per diem job listings.
Benefit #2: Experience and versatility.
Per diem work can also help you boost your skillset and earning power. Per diem nurses are often required to float, or help out other units, floors or departments. That builds experience, as well as skills like versatility and communication, which many employers value.
Per diem jobs also give you the chance to try out other hospitals and facilities and see how they operate, which can help you figure out your future career path. It’s a great way to try out new workplaces like nursing homes or rehab centers to see what the day-to-day work is like before making a full-time commitment.
> Action Item #2: Working per diem as a second job — say on the weekends or evenings — can also help you build experience in new settings, or with new tech or equipment. To find these types of opportunities, use a jobsite that offers full details into every aspect of every job to make sure they position you’re applying for is best-suited to your needs.
Benefit #3: Networking opportunities.
Working in more settings or facilities means meeting — and collaborating with — more nurses and other clinicians. Especially if you’re interested in per diem work as a way to move into new and higher-paying specialties, the networking aspect is key. For starters, it’s a great chance to meet new who could help you land your next job (especially if you impress them in your per diem role).
> Action Item #3: Don’t be afraid to make connections! Get to know the people you work with. If your per diem job is in a new specialty, consider joining its association (you can see a list here). Attending conferences and events is another great way to network (for instance, the Nephrology Nursing Summit).
Benefit #4: The chance to earn more.
Finally, the question you’ve been waiting for — what kind of pay do per diem nurses earn? Although per diem doesn’t usually offer guaranteed hours, the pay is usually much higher than in permanent positions. So, your earnings as a per diem worker in a busy hospital could rival what you’d make as a temp worker on a full-time schedule.
Because of the high earnings, some nurses who are already working full-time jobs volunteer for per diem shifts on weekends simply to earn extra cash — maybe to boost savings, make a big purchase, or more quickly paying off a mortgage or student loan. It can also help maximize pay during the times of year when need is high, like flu season or the holidays.
> Action Item #4: As always, check with your recruiter to understand the exact pay for each opportunity. For best results, use a jobsite that offers full pay transparency, including details on any stipends that may come with the assignment.
Trust HealthTrust for the Best Per Diem Jobs
Per diem nursing offers many benefits for your career but it can be tricky to navigate, too. If you’re interested in seizing the opportunities of per diem work, trust HealthTrust to help you make the best possible choices, both now and in the future. Search all of our jobs today to see what’s available.
