[Boston-RN]

Which is better and why? I'm considering either and have her pros/cons for both. What's your opinion...

[ann945n]

Go Agency. I did per diem work and it sucked. You are a slave only to that facility and if you say No to a shift one too many times you get the ax. At least with agency there is more opprotunities and shifts (and higher pay) so you wont being saying no as much and actually get some shifts in

[RNperdiem]

I like per diem at my hospital. I do not have agency experience. I used to work at my hospital full time before I changed to per diem.
I am not a stranger when I float anywhere; the nurses know me. I also know most of the phone numbers, the computer system and how the hospital runs. I do not have to worry about how other places do things which makes my job easier.

[mamalle]

I work per diem in a adult ER- I work when I want to. I put down the shifts I'd like to work and havent had a issue in 7 years getting them. I have come in extra if need be, worked different shifts to help out, along with holidays. ( per our union contract I have to work at one shift every 12 weeks) I try to work weekends and days that will be busy. Im not sure about agency as we really do not use them in the hospital I work for. I have never been cancelled either..

[lsyorke]

I've worked both. I'm now per diem at one hospital.

Pros of Agency:
A bit more money
If you like different "experiences", you'll get alot

Cons of Agency:
Cancelled first
Availability at a "favorite" hospital may not be there.
Being treated hmmm, poorly at some facilities
Minimal orientation

Pros of Per diem:
Good Money
Having a relationship with the facility
Consistent paperwork(or computer charting)
Full orientation

Cons of Per diem:
Some cancelling, but not as much as agency

[Boston-RN]

thank you all for the imput

[JaneyW]

I have only worked per diem-no agency. I like per diem a lot for the same reasons already mentioned. I have many of the benefits of being staff and all of the flexibility of being agency. I don't like the idea of getting calls at 4:30 in the morning or being unsure if I will be working that day. I set my own schedule and have never been cancelled. However, I am thinking about adding some agency shifts here and there now that my kids are older and I have a bit more flexibility in my schedule at home. I think I might like the variety.

[kiszi]

Why not both? I'm seriously thinking about going per diem at my FT job after my first year is up, then picking up agency shifts on the side. Maximum variety, maximum flexibility. Also the benefit of having at least some shifts in a familiar environment. Then if one doesn't work out, there's always the other to fall back on! No reason to choose between the two right away if you don't want to!