Full time vs Part time vs Per Diem

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  1. What do you prefer Full time, Part time, or Per Diem?

    • 7
      Full Time
    • 9
      Part Time
    • 11
      Per Diem

27 members have participated

I used to be a full time nurse on the floor 4-5 days a week. Sometimes I would be forced to work late, not getting to have my lunch was the expectation, and by the end of the day my feet were killlling me. I was burning out fast. I still loved being a nurse but each week it was something different. Drama, emergencies, and god forbid something happened with my kids. I decided I had enough with working full time. So I looked into dropping down to part time hours maybe work a couple days a week. It didn't work out because the hospital still mandated my schedule, and long story short I ended up getting a job at this company that does per diem work. Its great, I signed up took me no time and I pick where I want to work, when I want to work for top pay. No asking for vacation time or a day off here and there to watch my sons basketball games.

I prefer this a lot more than working full time on my feet ill tell you that, But what does everyone else prefer?

Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.
I relate to much of your concerns. However, I work two per diem jobs. That allows me to make sure I get all of my hours on a regular basis. Between the 2 jobs, there is always a need somewhere. Even in the summertime. However, I pick up in the ICU and ER both, and occasionally float to sister hospitals in the city that are of the same company. So I'm just saying... you could get two per diems, or pick up in other units to get your hours in, if needed. I get calls all the time begging me to work.

My medical, dental, and vision, is $260/month. Total. It's not a very fancy plan but I don't need lots of extras. My insurance covers a couple prescriptions, and all the other regular stuff.

I need a sugar daddy too. Where can we find one?

It's too bad healthcare is not affordable in every state. I am working per diem but my healthcare is $800 a month and that's through COBRA from my old full-time gig. I checked into Obamacare but that would be $1200 a month in my state! I am loving those per-diem hours though.

0 Votes

I have worked per diem for a long time, and I like it because it can fit around my family obligations.

Because my husband's job brings our family health insurance, I am able to continue per diem work. Without health insurance, my son's health issues would have bankrupted us a long time ago.

As a per diem nurse I never have to be in charge, precept new staff, go to staff meetings (unless meetings are listed as mandatory), join a committee and come in on my day off for meetings, and nobody is telling me to get a BSN.

0 Votes
Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.
It's too bad healthcare is not affordable in every state. I am working per diem but my healthcare is $800 a month and that's through COBRA from my old full-time gig. I checked into Obamacare but that would be $1200 a month in my state! I am loving those per-diem hours though.

Yes, those prices sound about right. My friend was paying 800.00 a month for a very basic plan that didn't have good coverage, so if he did have a hospitalization or major injury it would have been a financial disaster for him. He quickly learned and went back to working to get coverage.

Also another great benefit of working full-time is that I can get short term disability insurance, which I tried to get on my own privately and couldn't. This saved my @ss last year when I broke my ankle and ruptured some ligaments and had to be out of work for 2 months!! If I didn't have that insurance I would have been totally up """"s creak without a paddle!

Anyone that has this private insurance or Obamacare should very carefully look at the fine print of what it does and does not cover. It might seem ok when you are in your 20s and have very little issues, but all it takes is one major accident and/or hospitalization!

Annie

0 Votes

So this company I work for is a little different. Its like an agency but not. I get to pick what place I work at every shift and if I don't like it I don't go back. There is a rehab facility 5 miles from my house I like working at. The staff nurses are great and after dealing with my kids all day its a good change of pace. Sometimes it can be stressful, but I like it, it fits me for what I need if that makes sense.

0 Votes
Agency work is my worst nightmare. I have seen agency nurses with long term assignments, on occasion. That might not be so bad. Going "all over" would kill me, though ...especially considering I'd be going there specifically because they're short staffed.

There are different kinds of agencies though. I don't have to go very far for any of the shifts I work. I kind of bounce around to a handful of places I like.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

I worked per diem through an agency like you are and it was great. I could decided where I worked and when.

Since I moved to a different state, I am now working PDN through 2 agencies. One has wonderful benefits which is great. Since I have health insurance through my husband, I am not on the insurance.

I enjoy working this way and it allows me to take time off when I need to do so. I say, if it works for you, then that is what you should do. It doesn't work for everyone. When your children get older, then you can re-evaluate if you want something different.

0 Votes

Alot of variables here. Whats the cost of health insurance. Some hospitals in my area for a family are only a couple hundred dollars versus over a thousand a month. For me and where I am at in my life right now, I need 12 hours full time. This would minimize amount of days I am paying for childcare. I also want a place that has the opportunity of overtime if I so desire it. I am sure down the road I would prefer 8 hour shifts but at this point in my life its not financially feasible. Neither is part time or per diem hours.

0 Votes

I have done it all: full-time, part-time, multiple part-time and per-diem jobs. Now, I love the flexibility of per diem, but I also really like my current specialty. For that reason I have dropped down to part-time and while I watch every dime it has been worth it for myself and my infant. Currently per diem wouldn't work as I need benefits and I can get them part-time. I also have an awesome retirement match and would give that up if I went per diem. It's whatever butters yo bread.

0 Votes
Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

It just depends on where you are at in life, not necessarily what your prefer. I have done all those at various times. What I really would prefer is to not work at all, maybe someday! For now, I work part time because of medical reasons. Hopefully retirement will be calling soon.

0 Votes
Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.

My first 2 years I worked full time, then went per diem in the float pool. I loved the variety of the different floors, but mostly loved making my own schedule, and the pay dif. I now have 2 per diem jobs and work as a chronic care manager from home full time. I still have the flexibility with all 3 and make my schedule that fits the need of my untitled chauffer mother position.

0 Votes
Specializes in NICU.
I relate to much of your concerns. However, I work two per diem jobs. That allows me to make sure I get all of my hours on a regular basis. Between the 2 jobs, there is always a need somewhere. Even in the summertime. However, I pick up in the ICU and ER both, and occasionally float to sister hospitals in the city that are of the same company. So I'm just saying... you could get two per diems, or pick up in other units to get your hours in, if needed. I get calls all the time begging me to work.

My medical, dental, and vision, is $260/month. Total. It's not a very fancy plan but I don't need lots of extras. My insurance covers a couple prescriptions, and all the other regular stuff.

I need a sugar daddy too. Where can we find one?

Have you ever used this insurance for say surgery?How well did it cover ?

Hospital dental premium 59/mo/

Medigap 300/mo

SS Medicare 134-300/mo

Cobra 1200/mo thru hospital plan.

Prescription plan 30-100/mo thru UShealthcare.

0 Votes
Specializes in hospice, LTC, public health, occupational health.

I'd love to be able to work part time on a PRN or per diem basis, but since I carry the health insurance for two adults and five kids, no dice. The benefits at my husband's job suck and are expensive compared to what I have at mine, so I'll be working full time for the foreseeable future.

0 Votes
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