Rules for Per Diems

fakebee · Dec 15, 2015

If you're not meeting your minimum requirements to remain per diem at that facility I don't understand why you are upset about the manager calling you on it. She has a limited number of per diem slots available and she might have people willing to meet or exceed those shift requirements.

Clovery · Dec 15, 2015

Of the 5 different places I have worked, all have had a minimum requirement for per diems which generally includes two weekend days per month (not necessarily on the same weekend) and one winter and one summer holiday. Some facilities extend the holidays to "special days" that aren't official holidays like easter, mother's day, halloween, etc.

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Dec 15, 2015

Ours has different "tiers" to the Per Diem, all with different pay grades.

1- one 12-hour shift per 6 weeks, no weekend/hoilday requirement, $2 more/hr than base pay

2- three 12-hour shifts per 6 weeks, one weekend and one minor holiday requirement. Has base pay of about $10 more an hr than full time.

3- six 12-hour shifts per 6 weeks, two weekend days, one minor, and one major holiday. About $12 more an hr than full time.

When I went from full time to option 1, I was required to sign a contract saying I would fulfill my obligated days, I knew which one I was signing up for.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 15, 2015

Having a new manager changes everything. Whatever unwritten/unspoken agreement you had with your former manager, it sounds like this new person has different ideas.

Where I work, there are minimum requirements. We have to work at least one shift in a pay period, work a summer and winter holiday of our choice, keep up with any mandatory classes, education requirements and keep our ACLS and license current.

Per diem staff is part of the overall staff budget. The new manager might have different goals about using per diem staff to the max to cover staffing holes.

Emergent, RN · Dec 15, 2015

Well, the unit is having retention problems, with about 5 travelers. Many left with my previous manager, she was a lot more tactful in her communications and instilled true loyalty.

I know the hospital as a whole has never enforced the official rules, which are impractical for people with other job commitments.

The hospital has overall been good to me, but If they start enforcing this I'll have to bow out.

I like the tiered system described above.

annie.rn · Dec 15, 2015

One of the places I worked per diem was pretty hardcore. Minimum 5 days per month, two weekend days and you were in the same rotation for the major holidays as the FT staff. One year Christmas Eve and Christmas fell on a Sat. & Sun. I worked every other weekend and it fell on "my" weekend to work. They tried to make me work both days when the FT and PT staff only had to work either or.

When I went to staffing pool the requirements were more flexible (3 shifts per month) with one major and one minor holiday. Can't remember the weekend policy.

I definitely had to sign an agreement that mapped out the requirements.

Sounds like yours are pretty standard but weren't enforced by your previous manager. Sorry this is happening. It's sometimes tough to try to hold a FT job and a per diem.

benegesserit · Dec 15, 2015

One facility requires at least one shift every 90 days, the other one every six months. Neither has requirements about what specific shifts are needed. I know that at the "every 90 days" facility that this is enforced in the computer system.

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2015

We have a required policy as well.

I have to work at least 24 hours a schedule (which is about 24 hours every six weeks) and one major winter holiday.

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · Dec 15, 2015

I have been PRN since August, was brought on by choice as an PRN employee. The facility rules are minimum 2 shifts a month, nothing else. I never understood the point of being PRN if your mandated to do a holiday and/or certain times of the month. I don't mind at all working weekends, it's what I usually work, but the flexibility to pick that based on my exam schedule is why I am PRN -- otherwise your part time. Many of the LTC/SNF in my area are requiring every other weekend and every other holiday - again not prn, that is part time lol I don't understand.

If facilities want better weekend coverage/holiday coverage, time to pony up the cash for it. My facility does NOT do holiday pay - even for regular/part time employees ( they can use vacation time to double up if they are scheduled to work). They have a Christmas day opening and sent an email out to the PRN staff. Think anyone picked it up? Nope. Bring back weekend warrior pay - I would then do scheduled weekends for that. They just want the perfect PRN staff without the pay incentives. Waiting for the tide to change - LTC in my area is starting to get desperate for nurses. Me thinks we will start seeing weekend warrior positions return to the market.

Dogen · Dec 15, 2015

I know the hospital as a whole has never enforced the official rules, which are impractical for people with other job commitments.

Yeah, but that's not really her problem, right? She has a unit to staff, and the one pool of employees with which to do it. She can't concern herself with what works for your other job.

I'm PRN and I'm required to work 2 days in each 4 week schedule and one of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day. i have to work Christmas at least once every three years. I don't really have a problem with it because those are days a lot of people want off, so I recognize that my employer has to make rules around them that try to make it so the FTE group doesn't get shafted and short staffed every holiday.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2015

When you took the per diem job, you agreed to the conditions of that job. They're not changing the conditions, so I'm pretty sure you don't have a leg to stand on. If you can't meet the conditions, better to bow out and give the slot to someone else who can.