Per Diem

perfexion, ASN, RN · Jun 8, 2015

Usually 2 years is the minimum.

MyPrnPleaseBSN · Jun 11, 2015

please gain some experience before going through agency as some do not give orientation to some hospital you are sent

canigraduate · Jun 26, 2015

It is not a good idea to go with an agency straight out of school. I know a girl from Hawaii who did that to get a job here on the mainland and they send her some crazy places. She has been to LTC, to corrections, etc.

From my own experience, agency nurses are expected to be experienced enough in their specialty to not need supervision. As a new grad, you will not meet this requirement.

NorCalKid · Jun 30, 2015

A couple people in my class were hired per diem right out of school(not agency). They had to work full time hrs for orientation. I think it would be kinda hard to do. You really need to work full time to get comfortable for a while. FT orientation is not even close to enough IMO (I'm on a MS floor). I have been on my own for 4 or 5 months and I'm just starting to get comfortable (where I'm comfortable enough I'm enjoying being on the floor like when I was in school). I still have SO many questions every shift. Being full time and a regular face has allowed me to form relationships with nurses that will kinda mentor me. Not in an official capacity but in an informal, you're my go to guy kind of way. The other thing is I have a home floor and am surrounded by people that know I'm new and my abilities and limits (including charges). If I were per diem I wouldn't really have a home floor and the support I currently get. We don't self schedule, per diem does. That looks really attractive to me. Not sure when I think it's OK to do but I don't feel I'm there yet.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 2, 2015

Why are you looking to go per diem right out of school? Staffing agencies should NOT put you to work , right out of school. If they do, they are not reputable.

Check with your local facilities. Doubtful they would take the time, money and effort to train you.. then utilize you as per diem.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 10, 2015

Most agencies require at least one year of experience. That's because they will offer you little or no clinical training--they expect you to be competent in your practice.

You could try applying for a per-diem spot at a hospital and see if they are willing to take a chance on you. But as a prior poster mentioned, you really need to work full-time hours to get comfortable practicing as nurse...and per-diem means there's no guarantee you'll get enough hours.