Can I do per diem with out experince?

[erin01]

is it possiable to do perdiem with out any acute care experence?

[RN1982]

As I said in my previous post, I got a job per diem because the hospital I work for is putting us through a training program and we are paired up with a preceptor. So not all per diem positions are without training.

I never said all per diem programs were without training. But I still wouldn't recommend a new grad to do per diem for at least a year. To each his own.

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

No new grad should be working per diem until they've had at least a year's experience under their belt. Yeah the money is great. But you are putting your license on the line working in an area that you have zero experience in as a nurse.

I worked 9 weeks with a preceptor before I was hired and then completed 12 weeks of new nurse orientation. That's 21 full time weeks before being on my own. The biggest mistake I could possibly make (on my unit) to put my license on the line is a med error or letting a pt fall. My director and hospital evaluated me and found me to be competent to work PRN. I work on an 8 bed medically stable Geri-psych unit. I don't agree with your statement that "No new grad should take per diem until they have 1 yr experience". There are definitely exceptions . Also, many of us that do take PRN end up working full time weeks anyway..I know I do in the fall & winter months .

[RN1982]

I don't agree with your statement that "No new grad should take per diem until they have 1 yr experience".

That's your opinion. It doesn't bother me that you disagree with my statement. My issue with new grads is that working per diem, there are occassions where per diem RNs are floated to other areas where they could be not as familiar with the unit. To me it would just be better for a new grad to have at least 6months to a year of experience to gain confidence in their assessment skills and to learn how to prioritize and organize their care before moving on to float pool or working per diem. But like I said, to each his own. I'm done with this thread.