Do Nurses Work Several Per Diem Jobs?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2015

You can do whatever you want if you can find another per diem job.

Jules A, MSN · Apr 5, 2015

I have always worked at 2-3 hospitals at the same time and wouldn't have it any other way.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Apr 5, 2015

Sure you can!

RNperdiem, RN · Apr 5, 2015

I have heard of this. As long as the schedule works out, everything is fine. One thing to keep in mind is having double the requirement for working holidays. Where I work, per diem staff has to work one summer and one winter holiday. If you have two jobs, you might have double the holidays to work. Each workplace also has annual competencies/check-offs to do as well.

If you are lucky, there might be more than enough work to have full-time, even over time hours. You can always look for a second job if the hours are very skimpy.

Katie71275 · Apr 5, 2015

Yes you can.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 5, 2015

You can work at as many per-diem jobs as your schedule and sanity will allow.

However, keep in mind that each job is going to expect you to fulfill their scheduling requirements and aren't really going to make allowances for the other job(s). If you have to work 3 shifts a week at Job A, Job A isn't going to care that you also have to work 3 shifts a week at Job B. Nor is Job A going to go out of their way to accommodate your schedule at Job B. So keep that in mind.

joemomma35 · Apr 5, 2015

I do it. Here's a list of pros and cons of doing per-diem only.

Pros:

Awesome flexibility - you can take off whenever you want and you're not held to one place or one unit.

More $ per hour

If you lose one job you still have another one, it gives you more leverage if things go poorly

Cons:

You don't get your own unit as a per diem, in some fields of nursing this can be a big disadvantage because you always get new patients.

Scheduling can be tough, sometimes you end up with the crappy shifts that nobody wants

No benefits - You pay for your own health insurance out of pocket and don't get PTO.

You can make it work between several jobs; it's important to find out with their scheduling requirements are before you accept the job. Try to find a place with a lot of need (bigger facilities). Some require a certain amount of shifts a month unless you tell them you'll be gone a while - most require certain holidays and a weekend a month but they may be flexible with which holidays you have to do. Overall I like it a lot, but it's not for everyone.

Jules A, MSN · Apr 5, 2015

I do it. Here's a list of pros and cons of doing per-diem only.
Pros:
Awesome flexibility - you can take off whenever you want and you're not held to one place or one unit.
More $ per hour
If you lose one job you still have another one, it gives you more leverage if things go poorly
Cons:
You don't get your own unit as a per diem, in some fields of nursing this can be a big disadvantage because you always get new patients.
Scheduling can be tough, sometimes you end up with the crappy shifts that nobody wants
No benefits - You pay for your own health insurance out of pocket and don't get PTO.
You can make it work between several jobs; it's important to find out with their scheduling requirements are before you accept the job. Try to find a place with a lot of need (bigger facilities). Some require a certain amount of shifts a month unless you tell them you'll be gone a while - most require certain holidays and a weekend a month but they may be flexible with which holidays you have to do. Overall I like it a lot, but it's not for everyone.

Excellent list and I would add as pros:

1. Working with different people and different policies will improve your practice and experience by exposing you to different ways of doing things both good and bad.

2. Stay out of the fray of politics!!!!

3. Easier to tolerate the annoyances because you know you will be rolling out in a few hours or shifts and aren't tied to the place.

4. I swear employers treat people who they know can walk at any time better than those who are dependent on the check to pay their mortgage.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2015

I am per diem, but I have only one job. I get plenty of shifts at my one job, so I haven't felt the need to take another one.

Different employers have different per diem policies. I am not required to work any holidays. The scheduled staff is responsible for covering holidays.

Also, I am tied to a home unit, the ED, and I am actively involved in the unit.

But yes, there are a couple of other per diems where I work that have other jobs, and they make it work.

As to #4 above, I think this must be true, as I am treated really well- it's like they actually care whether I leave or not. It's nice to be valued.

ChellyFutureNP · Apr 5, 2015

Yes you can! Also, make sure that per diem is what you would like to do. I absolutely love being per diem and being a travel/float nurse... Some nurses hate that though.

Good luck!

MatrixRn · Apr 5, 2015

I have heard of people working several per diem jobs at once, how does that work when facilities seem to want a year of experience with them before going per diem?