
Benefits of per-diem nursing work
- Flexibility. Working per diem for nurses provides flexibility with scheduling. ...
- Expand your nursing skill set. When you work a per-diem job, you may be assigned to work on an unfamiliar unit. ...
- Work at various facilities. ...
- Grow your career through different specializations. ...
- Higher pay. ...
- Seasonal work opportunities. ...
Is working per diem a good option for nurses?
Working per diem allows nurses on varying levels to complete a shift when and where it suits them. While the pay is often higher and the ability to sustain a positive work-life balance more achievable, there are aspects that need consideration.
Should nurses pick up per diem shifts to avoid burnout?
Here are some tips they advise to keep burnout on the back burner when picking up per-diem shifts: Working per diem can be an excellent way to save and provide an extra source of income. It allows for exploring other nursing fields and specialties and a way to meet new nurses and see how different hospitals operate.
What are the financial benefits of per-diem nursing shifts?
Other financial benefits of working per-diem nursing shifts include: Working per diem for nurses provides flexibility with scheduling. Sometimes because it is short notice, per-diem shifts pay more than regular nursing shifts.
What are per-diem nursing jobs?
Per-diem nursing jobs allow nurses to create their schedules and create a good work/life balance. Nurses work per diem or flex staff for multiple reasons, including exposure to other floors and specialties, meeting new nurses, and flexibility with their schedule.

Do per diem nurses get retirement benefits?
Per diem nurses do not receive retirement benefits because they are not considered full-time employees of the institution they work for. So, you can essentially work for many years for an institution and will not have anything to show for it when you retire.
Do PRN nurses get benefits?
Additionally, PRN nurses typically do not get benefits, such as healthcare insurance or retirement plans. A less tangible drawback is that you may not form friendships with other members of the staff since you will not be consistently assigned to the same floor or department.
Do per diem nurses get 401k?
Typically, per diem nurses earn a comparable wage to permanent nurses in the hospital and a little higher average wage in long-care term settings. Per diem nurses and aides can purchase health insurance through Nursefinders and participate in a retirement 401k plan.
What are the pros and cons of working per diem?
Top 6 Pros and Cons of Working a Per Diem Nursing JobPro: You can choose your own hours. ... Pro: You can block book. ... Pro: You can keep an eye out on the job market. ... Pro: You can get to know some potential employers. ... Con: Hours are not guaranteed. ... Con: You might have to float.
Is it better to be PRN or full-time?
Those who accept PRN shifts have the opportunity to earn more money than a full-time employee. You see, full-time employees make a set amount of money from salary and they also receive a benefits package with it.
Do PRN nurses get insurance?
First, you have no assurance you will be able to work enough to meet your earnings needs; PRN nurses are the first to be called off when there is a short census. Second, you generally have no benefits package like paid time off days, insurance and retirement.
Does PRN get retirement?
We focus on keeping HCA Rewards fair, smart and competitive so we can offer PRN colleagues a full package of rewards and benefits that support health, life, career and retirement.
Is working per diem worth it?
Benefits. The main difference between a per-diem job and a part-time job is the potential for benefits. When you work a part-time job, your employer may provide benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off. However, as a per-diem employee, you likely won't get any benefits.
What is the difference between PRN and per diem?
Some people say PRN and some people say Per Diem. PRN initials stand for “pro re nata” a Latin phrase that means as needed. Per Diem is a Latin phrase that means “by the day”. Whether you say PRN or you Per Diem, it means that daily needs.
Is per diem a bonus?
Many employers consider per diem to be a bonus to their employees and any amount that is leftover after meals and incidentals can generally be kept by the employee.
Do I pay taxes on per diem?
Taxes on Per Diem Reimbursements Per diem payments are not considered wages—and are therefore non-taxable—as long as they meet certain conditions. You will be subject to taxes if any of the following are true: Payment is more than the allowable federal per diem rate. You did not file an expense report with your ...
Does per diem call in sick?
Paid Sick Leave and Protected Absences. Even though they may not work many hours, per diem employees are entitled to paid sick leave under California law and many local laws.
But do per diem nurses get benefits?
Per diem nurses do not receive traditional benefits like health insurance or vacation pay.
Per diem nurse scheduling
As a per diem nurse, you have more control over your schedule. You can work an extra shift one week or no extra shift the following week. Unlike part-time nursing jobs and full-time nursing jobs that have a set amount of hours they're supposed to work every week.
Per diem nursing compensation
Another reason to consider per diem nursing is the excellent compensation that comes with it. With traditional nursing, you're given a schedule and then you work the shift or shifts you're assigned.
Learning new skills
Per diem nurses also have the ability to work with a variety of healthcare providers. This allows them to pick up on some additional skills. Especially if you're working for a specialty hospital.
Per diem nursing reimbursement
Did you know that per diem nurse employment gives you the opportunity for reimbursements? Since per diem nurses aren't actual employees and are contracted out just like a freelancer, they get tax breaks.
Life and work freedom
Per diem nursing is great whether you have a small family, large family, or are single. Anyone can take advantage of the wonderful perks of per diem nursing.
Joining Para to make your life easier
The last and possibly the biggest benefit to per diem nursing is your ability to work for Para! That’s right! You can apply for an available job through Para easily from your phone.
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.
Work-Life Balance
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.
Higher Pay
Per diem nurses are usually compensated at a higher rate than “staff” nurses. Since hospitals or facilities might be looking for last minute coverage urgently, the pay is greater to allow them to fill positions quickly and take care of desperate needs.
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.
Gain Valuable Experience and Expand Your Skill Set
When you’re working at different facilities, you’re learning a ton purely due to the fact that you’re getting first-hand experience on how different sites operate. You also have the opportunity to learn alongside other experts, being exposed to more than you would otherwise.
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Make these top 5 benefits of per diem nursing possible for YOU with Nurseio! As a nurse staffing agency, our goal is to make your life easier so that you can thrive!
What are the benefits of per diem nursing?
Tax breaks are very enticing benefits of per diem nursing. Some of the tax-deductible items for per diem RNs are: 1 Cost of uniforms, including laundry and dry cleaning expenses 2 Malpractice insurance 3 Phone, internet, computer-related expenses related to your job (which also includes warranties, apps, and software) 4 Professional licensing costs 5 Cost for continuing education (including books) 6 Costs related to your job searches 7 Trade literature costs
What is PRN in nursing?
Nurses who work PRN or travel positions experience many “first days on the job”. It comes with this line of work and it is a big adjustment to make each time a nurse goes to a new facility. While you don’t develop relationships as extensively with coworkers and patients, you will gain cultural competence.
Why do nurses need to be per diem?
Per diem nurses, often have additional learning and educational opportunities because they get new opportunities to cover many specialties. For example, a per diem emergency room nurse, who also floats to ICU units, might also be able to cross-train for a PACU unit they have staffing needs.
Why is per diem important?
One of the most significant benefits of working per diem is that you can choose precisely when you want to work. As a working mom, it makes it much less stressful to know that you won’t be scheduled during a time you don’t have child care. #3. Per diem nurses can pick up seasonal work.
How many hours do nurses work?
For example, full-time nurses often work three 12-hour shifts a week . You can schedule yourself to work on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday one week, and then on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the next week. That leaves you with eight days off in-between your shifts to hop on a plane for a week’s vacation. #9. Working per diem is a great way ...
What does "per diem" mean?
What does per diem mean? Per diem is a Latin term that means “by the day.”. A per diem nurse is a nurse who is employed “by the day,” or as needed by a medical facility.
Can a PRN decline shifts?
Per diem/ PRN nurses can decline shifts. Unlike career nurses, who often do not have complete control of their schedules, per diem nurses can choose to decline shifts if they don’t jive with your schedule. This means that if you don’t want to work nights, holidays, or weekends, you usually don’t have to. #5.
Do nurses work full time?
Most nurses work full time, at least for their first few years after graduating from nursing school. Novice nurses need to put the time in and develop their clinical and critical thinking skills. It takes many years to build up nursing expertise at the bedside, which is why I would never recommend that a new grad nurse work per diem. If you are considering per diem as a nursing avenue for your career, make sure that you are experienced enough to manage the stress of working in many different working environments.
Do hospitals have per diem nurses?
Most hospitals have their own unit of staffed per diem nurses. These nurses may be assigned to one particular unit in a hospital or can be resource nurses who cover many different specialties within the hospital setting (as long as they are trained to do so).
Why do nurses work per diem?
Nurses work per diem or flex staff for multiple reasons, including exposure to other floors and specialties, meeting new nurses, and flexibility with their schedule.
What does it mean to be a per diem 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. You could be filling in for nurses who went on vacation, called out sick or if a floor is short of nurses.
Why is working per diem important?
Here are some tips they advise to keep burnout on the back burner when picking up per-diem shifts: Working per diem can be an excellent way to save and provide an extra source of income. It allows for exploring other nursing fields and specialties and a way to meet new nurses and see how different hospitals operate.
Why do nurses get paid more?
They get paid more because: Hospitals do not have to provide benefits such as health insurance, personal time off (PTO), sick days. Shifts tend to be last minute and need to be filled quickly.
Is Caitlin Brown a per diem nurse?
Benefits of per- diem nursing work. Caitlin Brown, BSN, RN, has been a nurse for a year and a half and is already accustomed to working two jobs. In addition to her full-time job as a nurse on a Med/Surg floor, she picks up per-diem shifts. Caitlin chooses to work per-diem for a variety of reasons, but mainly because she's "in desperate need ...
Can you work per diem hours?
Hours are not guaranteed when working per diem. This is one of the disadvantages of working per diem. Hospitals can cancel you at any time. To make sure this doesn't happen, you might want to work with a nurse staffing agency that offers multiple per diem nursing jobs.
Can a per diem nurse work in different hospitals?
You can work at different hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, etc., as a per-diem nurse. Caitlin likes the fact that she can work at different facilities within the hospital because it allows her to meet new people and network. It also allows her to do work that is different from her full-time position.
Why do nurses work per diem?
Working per diem allows nurses on varying levels to complete a shift when and where it suits them. While the pay is often higher and the ability to sustain a positive work-life balance more achievable, there are aspects that need consideration. Think varied work opportunities, health insurance and leave benefits.
What is a per diem nurse?
Per diem nurses are hired by an external company and can work anywhere within their scope of practice. PRN nurses are employed by the unit and work solely within that department. Set Requirements. Per diem nurses do not have schedule requirements. PRN nurses are subject to nursing requirements of that unit.
How to improve nursing skills?
Work / life balance (no need to work night shift or weekends – in most cases) Amazing networking opportunities. Strengthen and adapt your nursing skills depending on the situation. Potentially decreased levels of burnout.
What does "per diem" mean in nursing?
Per Diem is a latin phrase meaning “per day.”. It’s a phrase regularly used in the United States to describe a type of nursing schedule where staff are on temporary assignments rather than employed on a permanent basis with set hours and days.
How many shifts in a row can you work at the same hospital?
Turning up at the same hospital or health care facility with the same people can feel a little repetitive and stagnant – particularly if you’ve worked 6-8 shifts in a row.
How much does a nurse make in California?
An example of a nurse working in California can make, on average, $102,700, or $49.37 per hour in comparison to the same nurse in Ohio who’s average wage is $65,500, or $31.39 hourly. ( source) 6. Request PM/2nd Shifts.
Can you work multiple per diem jobs?
You can work multiple per diem jobs for extra money and a greater chance of securing work. Per diem jobs can lead to a full time / part time position in a desired field. Great way to try out different nursing specialties before committing to further education.
What does it mean to be a per diem nurse?
Home / Nursing Articles / What Does It Mean to Be a Per-Diem Nurse? "Per Diem" means "by the day. ". In other words, nurses working in a per diem role are essentially working on call. Working on call means different things based on the facility or organization. For example, the nurse may be called same-day for sick calls.
How many hours does a per diem nurse work?
Shifts may vary from a partial shift to an eight to twelve-hour day (depending on the organization). Per diem nurses can also be pre-scheduled to fill in for regular staff who will be off on vacation, etc.
How long can a per diem nurse go without a shift?
They may go a week or two without an offered shift. This can result in financial strain if the nurse has no other source of income. Also, per diem nurses are typically not benefited. They may not have health insurance, paid vacation or sick time, etc.
Do nurses get paid higher for per diem?
Also, they are not tied to any specific schedule. Per diem nurses also are typically paid higher than regular staff as they do not have set hours and sometimes have no benefits such as health insurance. One of the disadvantages of working per diem is that sometimes nurses may not be needed.
Can a per diem nurse be hired for a seasonal job?
Per diem nurses can also be hired for seasonal staffing coverage; for example, during cold and flu season where patient care demand spikes, or summer when many nurses go on vacation. Holiday coverage is also sometimes considered "seasonal," as many nurses request that time off.
What Paid Benefits Do Nurses Get?
Here are some of the major paid benefits that nurses receive and have access to:
Is It Worth Becoming a Registered Nurse?
The pros of becoming a nurse are many and varied, and they don’t all translate into monetary value.
Conclusion
Nursing can be an incredibly rewarding career both in financial terms, paid benefits, and emotional well-being.
