Do Nurses Work Several Per Diem Jobs?

Nurses General Nursing

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I just got hired as a "per diem" nurse, and I'm wondering if I can work 'per diem" at two hospitals to assure that I am working full time?

Do nurses work per diem at several hospitals?

Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I have 2 PRN jobs at the 2 hospital systems in my city. It's worked pretty well for me.

One is an outpatient job and the other med/surg nights. The scheduling requirements are pretty lax but since once is outpatient..there are no holiday or weekend requirements.

I'm seeking something part time now and want to keep the PRN night job (pays better).

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
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?

My first job as a nurse was prn.

Is PRN and Per Diem the same thing?

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Is PRN and Per Diem the same thing?

When I'm using either term, yes.

Several years back I worked flex pool at a hospital. Had all the OT I wanted. Then, they changed their policy and filled all their full time positions with people they paid half as much and we didn't have work unless someone called off or the census was up. I quickly filled out a bunch of applications for agency positions per diem so that I could call and say "you need someone" whenever I was cancelled. I got two jobs within a week. Was required to book one shift per month with both agencies. If I couldn't do that then I didn't need another job. You can definitely work more than one per diem job. Just make sure that none of them have a non-compete clause. I have only seen one small privately owned home health care company that had this in the fine print, in that case, pass up the opportunity and find another agency.

I love being per diem. I will never go back- unless my life takes a change for the worse, and I have to work full time to keep a roof over my head or provide for a family member. Then it's nice to know I have that option. Otherwise, I'm per diem for life!

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I know a nurse who works three per diem jobs ON TOP of a full-time job (and has several kids!). It is a running joke that she doesn't sleep.I wouldn't mind working a FT job and a PRN job, or a PT and one or two PRN jobs.Variety is the spice of life.

Thanks for all the helpful comments!

Need advice, how do you work multiple per diem jobs and do orientation without conflict from the other per diem job? 
 

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