Per Diem Nursing- What is it and How Does it Work?

Introduction

Maintaining adequate staff for nursing can be challenging. Staffing issues may arise due to temporary situations like sick leave, extended medical leave, vacations, or some busy time of the year. Therefore, to overcome this situation, there is a need for temporary staffing. For this purpose, we have a per diem nursing option.

Much like locum tenens, per diem nurses can help fill vacancies to ensure that the voids are filled and there is no compromise in patient care delivery. But what is per diem nursing, and how does per diem nursing work? This article will explore the ins and outs of this career path, including how to become a per diem nurse, its advantages and disadvantages, and who is best suited for this role.

What is Per Diem Nursing?

What is per diem nursing? Understanding this term requires breaking it first. ‘Per diem’ is a Latin phrase meaning ‘per day’. When it comes to the healthcare niche, per diem jobs refer to short-term or temporary nursing assignments that cover immediate staffing needs.

Unlike full-time nurses who have set hours and benefits, per diem nurses work on an as-needed basis. They might be called in to cover for sick staff, assist during peak patient loads, or fill in when a facility is short-staffed. These assignments can last a single shift, a few days, or even weeks, depending on the employer’s needs.

Multiple hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, and long-term care facilities employ these per diem. While they enjoy flexible schedules, they do not always receive the same job benefits, such as health insurance or paid time off. Despite this, many nurses find the trade-off worthwhile due to the pros of this nursing, including higher hourly wages and greater autonomy.

How Does Per Diem Nursing Work?

Many nurses ask, ‘How does this profession work?’ The answer depends on the facility and hiring method for nurse practitioner. There are three primary ways per diem nurses find work:

Direct Hire by Healthcare Facilities:

Many healthcare facilities keep a pool of per diem nurses to call upon when needed. So, apply now and you may be called when there is a need. These nurses may receive priority scheduling over agency hires. Also, there is a paramount role of nurse administrators in healthcare.

Staffing Agencies:

Many per diem nurses work through agencies that connect them with healthcare facilities in need of temporary staff. This method offers a broader range of job opportunities and employee retention in healthcare.

Float Pools:

Large hospital systems often have float pools where per diem nurses rotate between departments based on staffing shortages.

Once a nurse is part of a facility’s per diem pool or an agency’s roster, they receive shift offers. They have the freedom to accept, or decline based on their availability. However, facilities may prioritize nurses who accept shifts frequently.

In some cases, per diem nurses can work regular shifts at a facility, essentially becoming a reliable part of the team without a long-term commitment. This structure allows them to gain diverse experiences, enhance their clinical skills, and avoid workplace burnout.

Who Can Become a Per Diem Nurse?

Per diem, nursing is open to Registered Nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and at times certified nursing assistants (CNAs). It all depends on the need for time. You must hold a valid nursing license in the state you are practicing in and meet any specific hiring needs of that institute. Above all, you should have a solid base of clinical experience and adaptability to new environments.

If you are a naive nurse and are learning to learn new healthcare protocols, you can try out this nursing. Moreover, if you want to be diverse in work settings, you can start as per diem. This role is particularly for individuals who are motivated enough and have flexible scheduling.

Skills Required for This Nursing Period

Being in a temporary position at the job, you might feel like every day is a new day on the job. However, a certain skill base will always remain with you:

Clinical competence:

A solid base of clinical skills is required, no matter the job role or workspace. Clinical competence requires you to adapt to different patient populations, care environments, facility policies, etc.

Strong communication skills:

The ability to quickly establish links with patients and families. Moreover, they need to establish a good bond with the interdisciplinary team to maintain an efficient continuity of care.

Ability to work independently:

Once you learn the basics, you should be able to work independently as a full-time employee. It opens doors for a full-time job opportunity too. Working independently, you may acquire multiple designations like a nurse administration.

Adaptability:

Wherever you go, you may have to use a different type of technology to provide patient care. It all depends on your capability to adapt to new things and be open-minded about trying new methods.

Challenges Faced by Per Diem Nurses

While per diem offers numerous advantages, it also presents certain challenges. One of the biggest concerns is the unpredictability of shifts, which can lead to fluctuations in both work hours and income. Some nurses appreciate this flexibility, but for those who depend on a consistent paycheck, the irregular scheduling may become a source of stress.

Additionally, per diem, nurses often do not receive traditional job benefits like health insurance, paid leave, or retirement plans. This means they must take responsibility for their financial planning, which can add extra costs and require careful budgeting to maintain long-term stability. To help address these concerns, staffing agencies such as Nursefinders provide comprehensive Employee Assistance Programs, offering support and resources to their nursing professionals.

Pros and Cons of This Profession

Pros and cons can vary, it depends upon the mindset and feasibility of nurses and the facilities.

Benefits of Per Diem Nursing

• Higher Pay Rates – Since per diem nurses fill urgent needs, they often earn higher hourly wages than full-time nurses.
• Flexible Scheduling – Nurses can choose when and where they want to work, promoting a better work-life balance.
• Diverse Work Environments – By working in multiple facilities, nurses gain valuable experience and expand their professional network.
• Reduced Workplace Politics – Since per diem nurses are not tied to one facility, they can avoid hospital politics and long-term workplace stress.

Cons of Per Diem

• Lack of Job Security – Because shifts are not guaranteed, per diem nurses may experience inconsistent income.
• No Employee Benefits – Most per diem roles do not offer health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off.
• Need for Adaptability – Nurses must quickly adjust to different work environments, patient populations, and electronic medical record (EMR) systems.
• Limited Career Advancement – Since per diem nurses do not hold permanent roles, they may have fewer opportunities for promotions within a specific facility.