Can someone please explain per diem to me?

[harborview]

All I know is that it isn't salaried and you don't get benefits. Thanks.

[harborview]

I also know it mean "by the day." I guess more specifically, I want to know if you work for a hospital or an agency, or do you have a choice? Is there a minimum amount of shifts? How do you sign up for shifts? Is it always in the same unit?

[rn2bnwi, BSN, RN]

I think that policy will vary depending where you work. Typically Per diem would not mean agency but an actual specific facility. i know that around here most of the hospitals require you be available for 4 shifts a month. Good luck!

[Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN]

Hey there, per diem where I am at is offered through the hospital. You are their employee, and basically, you tell them when you want to work. The minimum requirement is 16 shifts a year. You arent eligible for bonuses that may be offered to non per diem staff when they are in need of a nurse, (i.e. 200 bonus and time and a half. ) If you are per diem and the census is down, you are the first that will be called for an at home. You can work as much or as little as you would like. It is a pretty nice gig if you can afford to be prn and have benefits through somewhere else. Hope I helped a little. Ivanna

[Melinurse]

I work per diem at 2 facilities. Basically with both I call at the start of the week and tell them when I will work. I don't have a minimun # of hours or anything but some facilities will have other requirements. I usually pick up 2 shifts a week at each facility but they usually call and ask me to pick up another 1-2 shift because of call-ins, etc.

It all depends on your facility. So be sure to ask specifics. Like I am not required to pick up holidays or weekends. But I also don't get extra " holiday pay " ( like double time or time and a half ). I get a flat rate regardless of what shift I work. I do work most weekends though, by choice or by call in because of short staffing. I hope that helps. You probably would want to do prn at 2 places because you'll be the first to get low-census/on-call if they don't need you, esp. at a hospital.

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I work per diem on a unit, requirement is 24 hrs/ month, a certain % needs to be 'off shift' that could be eves/nocs or weekends, I don't usually do holidays, but on the occasion I do ,I get time and a half. Other units within the same hospital have different requirements some 6 shifts a month, the "casual" staff in the float pool have to do 2 shifts/week