Per Diem Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Trauma & Emergency.

Okay here's the story. I work "per diem" at my facility. I work every weekend without fail. In the summertime I pick up extra shifts during the week while I'm out of school, but I cut it down to weekends Saturday and Sunday only is what I was hired for.

I was looking through my employee handbook and it states nothing about per diem shift requirements as far as holidays, weekends or how many shifts you need to be available for per pay period. Keep in mind I worked all 3 major summer holidays. I am now being told that I HAVE to work Thanksgiving + Christmas. I work per diem..and as far as I know they hired me for Saturday and Sunday without a holiday requirement. I offered to work new years day but they still are telling me I must work Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are plenty of places around here that will hire me for the weekends with no strings attached.

What do you guys think?

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Specializes in Cancer research/ Orthopedics/ Surgery.

I think at most they should ask you to work EITHER Thanksgiving or Christmas, not both.

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

Also per-diem means just that. Most per diem is an as needed basis. We required they work one weekend per month and no less than 1 shift per month. No requirement on holidays. Therefore I ended up being the one to work every stinking holiday being the full timer lol. The question is - will this facility hold it against you for refusing. Many nurses work full time and supplement income with per-diem jobs therefore what would they do if you were working else where and already commited to that job for those days? Just my opinion but that's why I work per-diem now if because I can pick my days and hours.

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Specializes in L&D, PACU.

One of the big advantages of Per Diem is being able to say no. It SHOULDN'T be held against you. However...grin...just because it shouldn't, doesn't mean it won't. You say you've got other places that would be interested in you on weekends. So you have the power to say no, and then whatever happens, happens.

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Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

We have several PER DIEM levels and with each is a different pay rate and comittment. Level1 is no weekends, no holidays and the pay is $3/hr less than level 2. Level2 is all weekends, one minor and one major holiday per year including one eve and pay is $3 higher than level one. These people can be cancelled for low census and no benefits are provided. We also have FLOAT POOL, this is either a FT(36hrs/week), or PT(24hrs/week) with benefits. Everyone in this level is required to work a 6 week cycle of two Mondays, two Fridays, Every Third Weekend, one minor and one major holiday including one eve. These staff get benefits, make their own schedule, straight days or straight nights. Salary is based on years experience plus a Float Differential as well as shift and weekend differential. Most hospitals today are looking for flexible people for perdiem. As another poster stated, they can not FORCE you to work unless a contract or other stipulations are written. However, failure to comply may see the need for your services decline. Sorry, but nursing is a service industry, staff is needed 24/7/365 and personal needs are expected to come AFTER the Facility's needs. Sorry, do what you need to but recognize there may be consequences. Good Luck.

ADDENDUM: Unless it is in writing nothing they tell you in the interview is binding. That means you can work every weekend without any holiday obligation. Good Luck

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Maybe you can bargain and agree to work one, but not the other.

My per diem commitment involves a certain minimum number of hours per pay period and one summer holiday and one winter holiday annually.

Check your facility policy.

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I've worked per-diem at quite a few jobs and I would be unwilling to do anything more than 1 major winter and 1 major summer holiday. I am working Thanksgiving and New Years this year, but by choice. They are asking too much. Really, nobody should have to work both Thanksgiving AND Christmas.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

We were required to work one major summer and one major winter holiday.

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg.

i work call-in as a new grad RN, but my manager schedules me 40 hours a week. right now she has me off thanksgiving, but i was ok to work, on christmas day and eve but off new years eve and day. before the holiday season, she actually has a draft where you can request which holiday you want on or off. i would double check your HR and manager if it is right to work the holidays. some places allow you to have holiday pay or double pay so clarify that. it may be worth it to work the holidays ;)

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