basic question: per diem

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Aug 6, 2006

what does this mean? is it standard terminology that means the same thing at all hospitals? i know it has to do with working for higher hourly rate, but with no benefits. but i was also told it means you work "when you want." is that right? is there really that much flexibility in scheduling? can someone explain how it works.
btw i am a pre-nursing student who is trying to get some hospital work experience and even a lot of the entry-level, non-licensed positions are available "per diem."

"per diem" = PRN or as needed. You do get a higher hourly rate, no benefits other than shift differential and you work when you want to. If it's a decent size hospital that literally means when you want to, in a smaller hospital you may have to take your chances and schedule yourself hoping you won't be cancelled. PRN help are the first cancelled when the census drops. Where I work you put yourself on the schedule whenever you want to work. You can cancel yourself without any reprecussions if it's within 24 hours of the start of the shift. We're required to work one summer holiday and one winter holiday of our own choosing.

br107 · Aug 6, 2006

ok so you do schedule yourself in advance. it's not like you totally come and go as you please. do you generally have to schedule yourself within certain hours...like ony for the night shift for example?

br107 · Aug 6, 2006

and do they typically require you to work a certain # of hours within a certain time frame. eg, X hours every 2 weeks.

allnurses Guide · Aug 6, 2006

I think that in most places, you can schedule yourself for any openings in the schedule that are available, be it day, evening, or night shift.

At the hospital I used to work at, you had to work at least two eight hour shifts every six weeks, or one twelve hour shift in that same time period.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 6, 2006

Hospitals around here require 2 shifts per month.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Aug 6, 2006

When the schedule is posted each month the openings are written down with blanks beside them and you fill your name in or if you wake up and feel like working you can call about 5 am and tell them you can work and 9 times out of 10 the super says "come on in" if they say no, go back to sleep and before 9 am they'll be calling you back to come in. Also you can call a full-timer or even part-timer and and say "hey do you want me to work for you tomorrow or do you want to split a shift. PRN is wonderful for me since I don't need the benefits. I just went back to PRN this past January. Prior to that time I was full time for 3 years because hubby was out of work and it was equally nice to have the benefits then. Nursing is very versitile indeed!

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2006

I work per diem at one job. I make more per hour than the other nurses. I have to work 8 hours every 4 weeks to remain active as an employee. I worked at this facility for 5 years prior to changing my status and I did maintain my seniority and years service. I call the staffing office and let them know my availability, they confirm the days/hours I am needed. At this facility I am never cancelled, usually called for more hours. 300+ bed sub-acute/LTC/dementia/personal care. I work all 9 units and I supervise so I am useful to them.

Oh yeh, I make more per hour at the per-diem job than I do at the full time hospital job....after a certain number of hours I work at per-diem my hourly pay drops, I am then put into a lower pay scale. I don't have the paperwork in front of me but I think it is over 24 hours in 4 weeks. The first 24 hours I make the high pay, then I drop about $1/hr for the next 24 hours of work. I don't get any benefits though so I do need the full time position as I am single. Full time position is about $1.50/hr less than the perdiem.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2006

per diem

it is called "flex pay" here. there are requirements on how many weekend shifts you need to work per year and how many holidays you work per year-MUCH less than someone who works full time. You don't get benefits but still can contribute to your 403b.

I made $32/hour for days and $35/hour for evening/nights.

You weren't qualified for holiday, weekend or incentive pay.

I have gone to FT since my base pay was within a $1 of the Flex pay and I could make WAY more with benefits and the incentive pay is $5-20 more per hour depending on the situation.