Per diem nursing is a type of care that is provided on a case-by-case basis. Nurses who work on a per diem basis may be employed a nursing agency or a hospital, and they fill in as needed. This type of nursing offers a great deal of flexibility as well as the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, but it also has some drawbacks.
Temporary labor is frequently required hospitals, clinics, and home nursing agencies to fill in gaps in their schedules. Nurses on a per diem basis can cover for sick employees, provide extra coverage during major medical emergencies, and provide time off for maternity leave or a simple vacation. Per diem and travel nursing are frequently compared, but travel nursing entails longer rotating assignments that can last months, whereas a per diem nurse may have a different job every day.
Benefits are rarely provided to per diem nurses. They are, however, paid more than regular nurses, partly because they do not receive benefits and partly because of their versatility and utility. In a critical nursing shortage, a nurse who is certified in one or more nursing specialties can earn even more money. A per diem assignment at a facility such as a hospital can sometimes lead to a full-time job offer.
People who work in per diem nursing must be fully trained, certified, and qualified nurses, just like other nursing professionals. They must maintain professional certifications, and many are members of nurse professional organizations in order to keep up with changing trends in the field. A per diem nurse may value the flexibility of scheduling that allows him or her to choose which shifts to work and when, but she or he must also be prepared for constantly changing work environments and a lack of personal connections on the job due to frequent changes in assignment.
Per diem nursing services are offered many nursing staffing agencies, and some companies specialize in providing nurses on demand. People interested in this type of nursing can apply for long-term or temporary positions in per diem nurse staffing departments at such agencies. It helps to have a lot of experience and qualifications so that the nursing agency can send a nurse out to a client with confidence.