What exactly does "per diem" mean?

[ljds]

I'm thinking of working for an agency to supplement our family income. I have never worked agency before, so I have some questions:

What does per diem mean? Does that mean they call me that day and offer a position, or does it just mean that I am not signing a contract to work specific days?

This is how I envision my agency experience working: pleas correct me or give me some input!

I submit to my recruiter my availability for a specific time period, and how many shifts I am interested in working. My recruiter then schedules me. I know there are times when you *do* get a phone call that day saying they need someone to come in; but I am also assuming that there are times when you know several days in advance that you are in fact scheduled.

What sort of expectations should I have of an agency? Is the nurse responsible for calling to see if she has been canceled, or is the agency responsible for calling you? What sort of "cancellation pay" is out there, and what time parameters does it fall under? Does travel typically get covered? It is common to establish yourself at a couple of different facilities and then to usually work only those facilities?

Any other thoughts are appreciated!

Lori

[crb613, BSN, RN]

Hex said:

I'm seriously considering going per diem at the hospital where I work f/t. But that "non-existent check" comment scared me a little bit. Actually, it scared the crap out of me.

Did you mean that sometimes you get paid less than usual or that you actually get zero for an entire pay period due to being canceled or what have you? (That would definitely not work for me.)

Excuse my ignorance, I'm new to the whole per diem thing.

I work PRN & do not have any problem working.....my phone rings off the hook! I have only been PRN for 9 months.....have never gone without a check if I wanted to work. You might go PRN for a couple of places if you are worried about that. I think it also depends on how experienced you are & how many different areas you can or want to work in. I only do ER now & have all the shifts I want & then some....I am usually in OT.

[KLKRN, RN]

newlvngrad: In my experience, almost all registries place you in either nursing home or hospitals, but check out home health agencies, too. I did know of an agency per diem nurse when I worked in home health.

I have also gone six weeks without a paycheck because of being cancelled. What has worked for me is to sign on with two registries.

But I'm an RN and a lot of times the LVN will be cancelled before me, even though I'm costing them more.

And "per diem" means "by the day." Latin

[wearingmanyhats, RN]

I have worked agency for more than 18 yrs now. I am never expected to take a shift, but then again, I am never sure I will work this week.

For the past 6 yrs, I have made at least $25,000/yr!!! Picking and choosing my shifts (pretty good in my book)

You do need to be confident in your abilities, and able to think on your feet.

I love it...wouldn't dream of doing anything else...

Faye

[zahryia, LPN]

scrappingfaye said:

I have worked agency for more than 18 yrs now. I am never expected to take a shift, but then again, I am never sure I will work this week.

For the past 6 yrs, I have made at least $25,000/yr!!! Picking and choosing my shifts (pretty good in my book)

You do need to be confident in your abilities, and able to think on your feet.

I love it...wouldn't dream of doing anything else...

Faye

Is that a typo? I mean, 25k in this day and age is not much. Or do you mean in addition to your salary, you have made 25k? If that's the case, that is REALLY good.

[ev6500]

$25K works for me, because it's a 2nd family income, and if I can make my own shifts, it's perfect. I have two kids in HS, and one is a traveling dancer, so I will certainly look into that when I graduate. ?

[Blouis, APRN]

I currently work per-diem at a hospital. Since April there were major budget cuts and full timers were dropped to 2 days a week. Float pool/per-diem were being called off left and right. I was down to a couple days a month! Times were hard. I never thought the hospital would call us off so much. I was forced to drive 45 minutes away for another hospital. I work in the float pool there. Hours are always there. I love per diem. I learned a valuable lesson-if you work PRN, always have another job just in case hours are cut.

I am able to make my own hours, work when I want to. I can take 5-6 days off in a row if I wanted. I do not receive benefits (that sucks) but I get paid about $15 more than staff nurses. I may get the worse patients on the floor but at least I am able to make all of my kids football games, school functions, and family trips!!!