Rozina Aziz The healthcare system in the United States is under extreme strain due to the persistent nursing shortage. There are benefits and drawbacks to working on a per diem basis. Those thinking about a profession in this kind of nursing need to know the pros and downsides.
What is a Per Diem Nurse?
Nurses are recruited per diem, which has nothing to do with the type of care they provide. In other words, a per diem nurse is not a full-time employee of a single department inside a hospital but someone who fills in as needed at different hospitals and other facilities.
Some per diem nurses are employed by a single hospital and rotate between multiple units based on patient population and need. Per diem nurses are employed by per diem nursing agencies to work in different healthcare settings. During a workweek, these nurses may work at multiple hospitals, spending varying amounts of time at each location.
What Does a Per Diem Nurse Practitioner Do?
There is a nursing shortage across all specialties. Nursing assistants, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners are just a few of the many roles that per diem nurses fill. There needs to be more distinction between full-time and per diem nurses regarding their core responsibilities.
A per diem nurse practitioner performs duties equivalent to those of a full-time nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners’ job descriptions may vary from one state to the next; however, they typically take on some or all of the following responsibilities:
- Get regular checkups with your doctor.
- Request and carry out diagnostic procedures.
- Identify and manage both sudden and ongoing health issues.
- Develop patient treatment programs.
- Dispense medicine.
- Speak with doctors and other medical experts.
Per diem nurse practitioners must meet the same requirements as their full-time colleagues, including holding an active registered nursing license and passing a certification exam. Nurse practitioners are required to have one to two years of clinical experience prior to working independently.
Nurse practitioners, both per diem and full-time, have more autonomy and training than other nurses. Per diem nursing jobs may be more dynamic than full-time nurse practitioner employment due to the possibility of covering shifts at the last minute in new clinical environments. As a result, per diem nurse practitioners need to be adaptable, quick learners, and able to switch gears quickly.
What is per diem in a hospital?
Per diem nurses provide treatment in various medical facilities, such as assisted living facilities, outpatient centers, and hospitals. The specifics of per diem labor depend on the facility and its requirements. While per diem shifts are filled “as needed,” nurses in a hospital may be rotated between departments like the ER and the labor and delivery ward.
The two most common reasons a healthcare facility hires a per diem nurse are to fill a temporary staff vacancy or assist the regular nursing staff during peak demand. Facilities may hire temporary nurses when permanent nurses take time off, such as during the summer or the holidays. During the winter flu season, they are also employed when there is an increased need for medical care.
During the COVID-19 epidemic, health systems heavily utilized per diem nurses to replace current personnel and fill in for absent full-time workers due to illness or weariness. There was significant pressure on the healthcare system during the epidemic, although per diem, travel, and part-time nurses helped ease that burden.
Why do hospitals and other facilities use per diem nurses?
To function properly, hospitals need a large number of staff members. Because staffing needs might fluctuate weekly, hospitals frequently rely on per diem nurses to fill the gaps. To avoid making permanent staffing commitments for what is likely to be a transitory requirement, hospitals can cover spikes in patient census, such as during a flu pandemic, by hiring per diem nurses. A hospital can reduce its operating expenses if it has access to a pool of qualified per diem nurses.
What are the pros and cons of being a per diem nurse?
Here are the Pros and Cons of Being a Per Diem Nurse:
Pros:
- You can expect a financial boost.
- You can set your hours and work whenever you like.
- One need not become entangled in office politics at any cost.
- You are free to take a vacation anytime you like.
- You’ll be able to juggle work and personal life successfully.
- You may be less likely to experience burnout.
- Several per diem occupations are possible.
- A trial period is available before committing full-time.
- One might work while on the road.
- Taking on seasonal work can provide additional income.
Cons:
- You will be transferred to other sections via the floatation process.
- It’s possible you won’t be able to secure enough shifts to cover your expenses.
- You will not be compensated for the time off between semesters as an employee.
- Not too much time off for illness will be allotted to you.
- There will be less safety in your employment.
- Your employer provides no health insurance.
- Weekend work may be necessary.
- Holidays are not guaranteed off.
- It’s possible that you won’t be able to collect on your retirement.
- Last-minute cancellations of your shifts are possible.
What do permanent placement, per diem, and travel nursing mean?
This is a permanent placement when a registered nurse is offered a full-time position at a hospital or other healthcare organization. Travel nursing refers to a registered nurse accepting temporary employment through a per diem nursing agency to work at a healthcare facility more than fifty (50) miles away from the nurse’s permanent residence.
A nurse from Spokane, Washington, might take a 13-week diem position in the emergency room of a hospital in Miami, Florida. A per diem nurse works with multiple per diem nursing agencies or in a hospital’s centralized staffing pool.
What are the benefits of Per Diem Nurse?
Here are the benefits of per diem nurse below:
Working Benefits:
Per Diem nursing jobs offers several advantages, such as more income and more freedom in one’s schedule. Benefits that per diem nurses may get include the following:
Flexibility:
Per diem nurses can create their schedules based on the shifts they’re available to work. They get to set their schedules and decide where and when they put in their hours. Individuals can choose to work a minimum of one per diem shift per month or increase their workload to several shifts per week, depending on their schedule flexibility. This could be a great option for people with full-time jobs, whether in nursing or not.
Pay increase:
Often, per diem nurses make more than their full-time counterparts on a shift-by-shift basis. This is partly because of the unpredictable schedule of per diem jobs. Employers rarely provide benefits for per diem labor, which is one drawback to the greater pay.
Get cutting-edge training:
Depending on the agency, per diem nurses can gain experience in various nursing fields. For instance, taking on shifts in the pediatric emergency room could be a great way for full-time nurse who normally works in the adult ER to advance their careers by learning new skills and expanding their knowledge base.
They might also use cutting-edge technology that helps them keep one step ahead in an ever-changing industry. Nurses who opt for per diem work might gain experience in various settings without settling in for the long haul.
Get experience by switching jobs:
Registered nurses who work on a per diem basis are not restricted to working for a single organization. This allows students to gain expertise in various clinical situations and geographic locations. A dynamic workplace can provide mental stimulation, which certain nurses may appreciate.
Institutions Benefits:
Healthcare facilities can also reap the benefits of per diem nurses. First, it helps to fill in the blanks regarding personnel, which can lighten the load on regular employees and reduce the likelihood of burnout. Extra advantages consist of the following:
Care for patients has been enhanced:
Staff burnout and stress could lower care standards and put patients at risk. By bringing in temporary workers to help as needed, you can keep morale high and employee fatigue to a minimum.
Reduced expenses:
Per diem nurses might be cost-effective because they do not receive benefits. Per diem employees may provide a tax benefit to healthcare facilities, and staffing companies often manage the paperwork and compliance difficulties associated with using them.
Versatility:
Per diem nurses are frequently well-rounded and capable of working autonomously due to their extensive experience in various settings and specialties. Because of this, they can be used to fill staffing gaps, especially during times of crisis, with minimal training and full confidence in their abilities.
How to become a Per Diem Nurse?
The application process for per diem nursing jobs is straightforward and can be completed by anybody with a profile on a suitable job board or agency. It typically takes three months to finish, but there are no unique prerequisites for you to meet, so you should be done quickly. It would help if you got right into the provided training after being hired so that you can begin your new job.
Finding a corporation that can use your skills at a fair price is the only hurdle here. Each organization has its unique hiring process, so weighing your options before making a final decision is important.
Qualifications and Education for a Per Diem Nursing Role
Employers who hire nurses per diem are fine with a candidate’s educational background if they can do their work effectively. But, if you want to work for certain companies, you may need a specific diploma, such as an LPN or RN, which can take anywhere from one to three years to earn. They may also inquire about your level of professional experience; some employers are open to hiring individuals who need a relevant work history.
How many hours can a Per Diem Nurse Work?
Regarding how many hours per week per diem nurses are expected to work, every workplace has its policies and procedures. Working 10–12 hours a day, five days a week, would add up to an average of 60 hours a week. In some cases, such as when they are short on permanent personnel, you may be asked to work up to 80 hours per week, which is rare.
How many hours can a Per Diem Nurse Work?
Remember that there will be instances when overtime is necessary, but only as much as is necessary because if you accept an offer, there will be constraints put forth by your employer depending on how long he thinks you must perform the task provided to you.
What is the salary and job outlook for per diem nurses?
According to the BLS nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $111,680. The income of per diem nurse practitioners can vary significantly due to the various venues and shifts they may work in. Prices may be considerably higher in areas with greater demand. The compensation for per diem nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic is uncertain, though there have been reports of some travel nurses receiving substantial weekly payments from their employers.
The current state of nursing shortages has been thrown into chaos thanks to the pandemic, but per diem nurse practitioners are shining bright as a beacon of hope in the darkness. With their skills and dedication, they’re poised to be the heroes we all need in the world of healthcare.
The job market for nurse practitioners is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 52 percent increase in nurse practitioner demand between 2020 and 2030. There will likely be around 335,000 NPs by 2030. Many opportunities for per diem nurse practitioners can be expected due to the increasing need for healthcare services brought on by an aging population, a focus on preventative services, and the departure of nurse retirees.
Conclusion
Paid per diem nurses typically receive higher hourly rates than their full-time counterparts. The hourly rate for per diem nurses varies greatly from one medical facility to the next. Nursing salaries vary by agency and other factors like as location, specialty, and working hours. Yet, in northern California, it is common for per diem nurses to make between $70 and $100 per hour. They can make well over $2,000 between regular salary, overtime, and shift premiums every shift. Apply today if this sounds like something you could do; per diem nurses are generally happy and eager to lend a hand.
FAQ’s
Do per diem nurses get retirement?
Because they are not considered regular staff, hospitals cannot offer per diem nurses retirement plans.
Is per diem good for nurses?
Since they work irregular hours and may not be eligible for benefits like health insurance and per diem, nurses are often paid more than permanent employees. Working per diem might have drawbacks, including the possibility that nurses are only needed sometimes. A week or two passes without a shift being offered to them.
When does per Diem end?
The maximum number of per diem payments that can be made to a contractor in a single contract assignment is 12 months. After 12 months, the per diem fee should be terminated if the contractor is still working on the same contract assignment.
How long does it take to get per diem?
To be eligible for 3/4 per diem, your trip must take more than 12 hours and more than 50 miles from home. No per diem will be paid out for absences under 12 hours. If your trip lasts more than one day, you’ll get 3/4 of your normal per diem on the first and last days of your trip.
