{"id":10874,"date":"2020-03-25T07:21:24","date_gmt":"2020-03-25T11:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theothershift.com\/?p=10874"},"modified":"2023-08-24T15:31:07","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T05:31:07","slug":"working-per-diem-nursing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theothershift.com\/working-per-diem-nursing\/","title":{"rendered":"The Truth About Working Per Diem Nursing. Is it Worth It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Per diem, or agency nursing as it’s sometimes labelled, can pay you very well, provide incredible flexibility and allow you to experience how other health facilities operate. However, there is also some downside, like working in unfamiliar territory, with people you’ve never met and equipment you’re not familiar with. So, is working this type of ad-hoc schedule worth the momentary stress? <\/p>\n\n\n

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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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wouldn’t it be nice to choose when, where and how much you’d like to work on any given day? Well, per diem nursing allows for this kind of flexibility. Whilst there are obvious advantages, the downside is real and nurses need to be aware of this before getting overly excited and quitting their current job. This post explores what per diem nursing is, the truth behind this schedule and tips for success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Per Dim (Agency) Nursing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Australia, my motherland<\/em>, we often refer to this type of work as agency nursing<\/em>, but essentially it’s the same thing as in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of nursing was created to help meet the staffing requirements of hospitals and health facilities particularly in times of unusually high admissions and vacation or sick calls from staff (ie, flu season and natural disasters).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nurses may choose to work per diem to either financially support themselves and their family, on top of their current part-time or full time job, whilst others may choose to work per diem full time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The beauty of this type of work is you get to choose your roster. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

But you might be asking, why would you choose to work in random, unknown places, at unusual times and without any friends when you could simply do a job which provides you a higher level of comfort?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the positives of per diem Nursing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros<\/strong>:<\/td><\/tr>
High wages<\/td><\/tr>
Shift flexibility – you choose when and where you work<\/td><\/tr>
Ability to travel for your job – sometimes this can be overseas<\/td><\/tr>
Work \/ life balance (no need to work night shift or weekends – in most cases)<\/td><\/tr>
Amazing networking opportunities<\/td><\/tr>
Strengthen and adapt your nursing skills depending on the situation<\/td><\/tr>
Potentially decreased levels of burnout<\/td><\/tr>
You can work multiple per diem jobs for extra money and a greater chance of securing work<\/td><\/tr>
Per diem jobs can lead to a full time \/ part time position in a desired field<\/td><\/tr>
Great way to try out different nursing specialties before committing to further education.<\/td><\/tr>
Excellent way to stay up-to-date with evolving changes in the medical field<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sounds good right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this kind of schedule can be molded to suit your lifestyle, there are other aspects of the job you need to know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Your per diem employer is unlikely to pay medical \/ health insurance<\/td><\/tr>
Potential for low job security <\/td><\/tr>
The higher wages include sick pay and annual leave<\/td><\/tr>
Working in unknown locations with staff you’ve never meet and equipment you haven’t used before can be scary<\/td><\/tr>
Shifts can be cancelled last minute or you can be sent home early<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I did want to point out that per diem nursing is not the same at PRN nursing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a table to summerize the main differences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>Per Diem Nurse<\/strong><\/td>PRN Nurse<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Employer<\/strong><\/td>Per diem nurses are hired by an external company and can work anywhere within their scope of practice<\/td>PRN nurses are employed by the unit and work solely within that department<\/td><\/tr>
Set Requirements<\/strong><\/td>Per diem nurses do not have schedule requirements<\/td>PRN nurses are subject to nursing requirements of that unit. You may need to work a certain number of shifts in a pre-defined time period to maintain employment.<\/td><\/tr>
Job Flexibility<\/strong><\/td>Per diem nurses can choose when and where they work<\/td>PRN nurses are limited to one specific unit\/department<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n
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The Truth About Per Diem Nursing and What To Expect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Along with being aware of the pros and cons of per diem nursing, it’s useful to know the truth about this kind of work and what you can expect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is what I have learnt and am still learning about per diem nursing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll Never Get Bored <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Per diem nursing doesn’t give you the chance to ever feel like this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you are assigned to work at a place you’ve been to before, there will always be something new to learn. From staff, procedures, medications, equipement and documentation there is always something changing to keep you on your toes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having to learn new processes limits the chance of you becoming complacent and causing errors. Pushing your brain to learn new information is not only good for you but also for your patient and their family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though this can seem intimidating and frightening, try and change your thinking to excitement rather than fear. After working 1-2 shifts in same location, life will soon become easier and the shifts more enjoyable. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Per Diem Nurses Often Get Lost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You will walk the wrong way, drive down the wrong street, catch the wrong train, walk up the wrong stairs and struggle to find a car park, but it\u2019s all part of life for per diem nurses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you stop and laugh at your own expense, you’ll see the funny side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In regards to documentation and where to find information, you may feel a little lost there too. But it’s interesting how quickly you’ll find your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though this can seem intensely overwhelming, I often remind myself that everyone else here has worked it out…so I can too! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Success Tip:<\/strong>
Before accepting a shift in a place you’ve never worked, ask you per diem employer which documentation method they use. Are their notes handwritten or do they use a computer system like EMR or EPIC you may have never used. Obtaining necessary training is essential and can be a huge stress reliever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Per Diem Nurses Are Able to Avoid Workplace Drama<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being able to come in, do your job and leave without any strings attached is one of the incredible advantages to per diem nursing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of getting caught up in workplace discussions, big decisions and even wearing a specific uniform (for most per diem employers) you can simply swan in and fill a vacancy to the delight of those in charge at the hospital<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you bring the necessary skill set for the job advertised everyone will love you.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It’s simple.. agency nurses can simply enjoy the 8+ hours doing the job they love with no extra commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n

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You’ll often be labelled the “Per Diem” or “Agency Nurse” – Instead of your name<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes regular nursing staff and even in-charge nurses will forget you have a name. You will be referred to by your title, which can feel pretty isolating for those who aren’t prepared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But instead of getting upset, re-introduce yourself and be proud of the help and support you bring to the shift. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Success Tip:<\/strong>
Avoid telling other nurses what you can do at the start of the shift. Otherwise, they will assume “you know what you’re doing” leading to minimal support and potentially a poor orientation. If you do have the skills and knowledge, this will quickly become obvious to those around you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n