The benefits of per diem nursing are becoming known by more nurses each day. Per diem is a Latin phrase that means, “by the day” or “per day.” A per diem nurse works on an as-needed basis for hospitals, healthcare facilities, clinics, and more.
Due to the increasing needs in healthcare environments, per diem nursing is in high demand. When healthcare settings have staffing shortages or extra needs that can’t be solved by their traditionally employed staff, per diem nurses assist by jumping in to meet those staffing needs.
Typically per diem nurses work during times of high admissions and fluctuations in patient census, to cover employees on vacation, call-outs, or to fill general gaps in coverage when a facility is short-staffed.
More and more nurses are making a career move to per diem nursing for the vast array of benefits. Here are the top 5 benefits of per diem nursing that will have you eager and excited to get started today!
Per diem nursing offers nurses a flexible and lucrative career path that differs from traditional nursing roles. As a per diem nurse, you work on an as-needed basis for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities without being tied to a fixed schedule. Instead of working set shifts each week, you have the freedom to pick up open shifts that fit your availability.
This unique arrangement provides many advantages that attract nurses to per diem work. Let’s explore the key benefits of per diem nursing and how it can align with your lifestyle, career goals, and financial needs.
Freedom and Flexibility
One of the biggest perks of per diem nursing is the flexibility and freedom over your schedule Unlike staff nurses who work a routine schedule, you can choose when and where you want to work as a per diem nurse You simply review available shifts and select the ones that fit your personal schedule each week.
Per diem nurses typically commit to working a minimum number of shifts per month. However, you generally have plenty of openings to pick from at multiple facilities. This flexibility empowers you to balance work with school, family time, vacations, and other obligations.
For example, if you want to take a month-long trip abroad, you can decline shifts for that month with no repercussions. Or if you need to care for a sick loved one for a few weeks, you can work lighter. When you return, pick up more shifts to supplement your income.
You can also factor in your changing energy levels, health needs, and preferences when signing up for shifts If you feel burned out, take time for self-care until you’re ready for more work.
Unlike staff nurses who might struggle with rigid schedules, per diem nurses can adapt their workload to complement their lifestyle. This freedom and flexibility allows for a career that truly fits your needs as they evolve.
Work Variety
Another advantage of per diem nursing is exposure to diverse settings within healthcare. As a per diem nurse, you can pick up shifts at multiple units or departments within the same hospital. Or you can work at several different hospitals, outpatient clinics, doctors’ offices, and more.
This variety prevents you from getting bored and burned out from the repetition of a single environment Plus, it expands your clinical knowledge and skills. When you work with diverse patient populations and healthcare teams, you gain more well-rounded experience
For example, you might spend one week in the emergency room, the next in post-anesthesia, and another in the neonatal intensive care unit. Or divide your time between hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, community clinics, and long-term care facilities.
The ever-changing scenery keeps things exciting. You’ll encounter new situations that challenge you to think critically and broaden your expertise. This expands your career opportunities down the road.
Supplemental Income
Per diem work also offers the ability to earn supplemental income on top of a primary job. Some nurses maintain part-time or full-time staff positions while picking up per diem shifts here and there. This brings in additional money for saving goals, vacations, debt repayment, and extra padding in the budget.
Working just one or two per diem shifts per week can make a significant impact. Even if you don’t need the extra money immediately, it never hurts to build your savings.
The flexible scheduling also makes it easy to work an occasional shift during times that complement your primary job. For example, nurses who work Monday through Friday during the day can pick up evening, night, or weekend per diem shifts. For busy families, the money may simply provide a little financial breathing room.
Higher Hourly Wages
Per diem nurses earn hourly wages, rather than an annual salary. This pay structure enables higher per hour rates that reflect the flexibility per diem nurses offer. Hospitals and clinics depend on per diem nurses being available to fill open shifts, so they compensate accordingly.
Standard per diem nurse wages range from $40-$50 per hour on average, although rates vary by location and setting. Compare this to average staff nurse hourly pay of $33 per hour. The higher wages reward per diem nurses for their willingness to work variable schedules.
However, remember that the hourly pay does not include benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Still, the increased base pay provides excellent income potential. For example, working just 20 per diem shifts per month at $45 per hour would equal over $90,000 annually.
Of course, per diem wages fluctuate based on your experience level, certifications, employer, shift differentials, and local factors. The rates also incentivize nurses to pick up less desirable shifts like nights, weekends, and holidays when staffing needs increase. But in most cases, you’ll earn more per hour through per diem work compared to staff roles.
Gaining Experience
Pursuing per diem work early in your career helps you gain experience quickly by exposing you to diverse settings and patients. This accelerated learning curve can springboard recent graduates into higher level roles faster than remaining in one environment.
As a per diem nurse, you’ll build clinical skills and organizational knowledge rapidly by working alongside different providers, teams, populations, and procedures. This makes you more marketable when you eventually seek out a staff position, specialty role, or advanced nursing degree.
The flexible scheduling also allows time to participate in continuing education while maintaining an income stream. For example, take a per diem shift here and there while completing a certificate program or pursuing your MSN. This ensures you continue growing as a nursing professional.
Think of per diem nursing as a training ground that boosts your confidence, competence, and career prospects. The experience you gain will serve you well wherever you head next.
Networking Opportunities
Working at multiple healthcare facilities as a per diem nurse enables you to connect with dozens of providers across settings. You’ll work alongside many different types of nurses, medical staff, administrators, and interdisciplinary team members.
These interactions let you establish strong relationships within your regional healthcare community. You might even impress a unit manager enough that they later recruit you for a staff nurse opening.
Expanding your network increases visibility for future job searches and partnership opportunities. You’ll have contacts at various institutions who can provide references and insider knowledge to advance your career.
The broad network also offers perspective on organizational cultures, workplace environments, and leadership styles. You can soak up this insight to make more informed decisions when applying for nursing jobs. Knowing potential colleagues beforehand provides a built-in support system wherever you go.
Work-Life Balance
Ultimately, per diem nursing promotes an optimal work-life balance by providing flexibility and great pay on your own terms. The autonomy empowers you to harmonize your career and personal needs.
You can work as much or as little as fits your lifestyle and bank account at each stage of life. For busy times, scale back. For financial goals, take on more shifts. Enjoy leisure and family time without completely sacrificing income.
This balance sustains your passion for nursing while avoiding burnout. When you control your schedule, you can prioritize self-care and prevent the exhaustion that leads nurses to leave the field altogether. A happy nurse is better equipped to provide exceptional care.
If you want the ability to adapt your work schedule based on other life priorities, per diem nursing offers the perfect solution. Take advantage of the freedom and flexibility to design a career that aligns with your needs and aspirations. The opportunities for varied experience, income growth, networking, and work-life balance create a uniquely rewarding nursing path.
Work at Different Facilities in a Variety of Specialties
Does working at the same hospital on the same floor sound repetitive and stagnant to you? With per diem nursing, you’ll never get bored! You can work at multiple different hospitals, clinics, and facilities in your local area that interest you.
Per diem nursing provides you with opportunities to meet new people, network, and try out different nursing specialties. This is a great way to test out a specialty before committing to a permanent position or furthering your education.
Some use per diem nursing to discover their passions, or as a way to lead them into a new position. Others love that per diem nursing simply allows them to not feel “stuck” to one facility or unit. This also keeps the excitement of variety!
Freedom and Flexibility in Scheduling
Instead of being tied to specific hours or required shifts each week that “staff” and “career” nurses must adhere to, per diem nurses can work as much or as little as they want.
Some nurses use per diem nursing as a side gig to earn extra money, and other nurses turn per diem nursing into their full-time gig.
There are no employee commitment policies as a per diem nurse, so you can control your schedule as you see fit. You can choose to pick up shifts that align with your availability and preferences based on time, day, workplace, and specialty.
If you feel like picking up a ton of shifts one week, you can! If you need time off another week, you simply don’t schedule yourself!
Most nurses that are employed by hospitals and healthcare facilities are subject to the needs of the unit. Sadly, it’s common for these nurses to miss out on important occasions such as birthday parties, time with loved ones, or the ability to be present with their children due to their work schedule.
With per diem nursing, you’re more likely to sustain a positive work-life balance. If you don’t want to work nights, weekends, or holidays, you don’t have to, and there are no penalties for it. Since you’re not employed on a permanent basis, YOU get to choose how you want your work schedule to look on any given day.
When you’re able to work your per diem schedule around your personal life rather than molding your personal life around your work schedule, your life improves and so does your work satisfaction.
Per diem nursing is also associated with decreased levels of burnout because you have the ability to work at your own pace with less pressure and stress, and can prioritize other important areas of your life!
Per diem nurses are usually compensated at a higher rate than “staff” nurses. Since hospitals or facilities might be looking for last minute coverage, the pay is greater to allow them to fill positions quickly and take care of desperate needs.
You’re the one assisting hospitals and healthcare facilities and providing them with the necessary skilled nurse for their shift. They’re more than happy to exchange higher pay for meeting their needs!
Per diem nurses are usually paid at a faster rate compared to payment schedules at traditional hospitals or facilities. With the nurseIO platform, at the end of each shift, you’re paid instantly for the hours that you worked. Not having to wait for your hard-earned money is definitely a perk!
Is Working Per Diem Worth It? | The Pros and Cons | Nurses to Riches
What are the benefits of being a per diem nurse?
Per diem nursing can offer flexibility, exposure to diverse health care settings, and potential financial advantages. However, being a per diem nurse comes with the challenges of inconsistent work, limited employee benefits, and a lack of job security.
What is per diem nursing?
Per diem nurses, sometimes referred to as PRN nurses, are nurses who work “by the day” or as needed by the institution where they are employed, rather than working a set schedule.
Can a nurse work per diem?
Working per diem can be temporary, but some nurses work per diem instead of working full time as a staff nurse. To be a per diem nurse means you work shifts that need coverage including shifts that need to be filled last minute. Per diem nursing jobs will continue to be an option for nurses due to staffing issues and gaps in coverage.
Why are per diem nurses paid more than full-time nurses?
Per diem nurses usually receive higher hourly wages compared to their full-time counterparts. This is because they fill in during times of increased need or for shifts that are difficult to staff. Facilities also pay these nurses more because they aren’t guaranteed a significant number of hours.
