Per diem VS part time! New grad here! Ekk!

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Med surg..

I just graduated nursing school (WOOHOO) and have been applying. I was offered a 24h (2 12's) night position. Starting pay with differential is 24.70 from 7p-11p and then 27.00 from 11p-7a. This job is 50 minutes away from my house though which is really holding me back from accepting- I told HR I would have to think it over some before officially accepting and call them back Tuesday.

I just got an interview for per diem work at a hospital 15 mins away who said on the phone " she would have plenty of work for me" as in like I should go their company and not accept my other position. I know many people who work there per diem and get part/full time hours so I am not worried too much about that.

Sooo my question is about per diem nursing- what is the average dollar amount "extra" do per diem nurses get an hour? I know it may be different from state to state but a baseline would be VERY helpful as she did not give me salary information over the phone... Please correct me if I am wrong but per diem nurses would not get any differentials for nights either correct? I know they do not get benefits and sick days and so on- I have insurance already so that is not a concern for me right now.

I would really appreciate ANY input from you guys!! Thank you

This is truly variable by shift and hospital. My base weekend pay rate is $35/hr. Weekdays are less, and weekend nights are more. The rates can be even higher if you qualify to work in more areas in nursing and get hired for the float pool that covers many different areas.

The regular full-time staff also get weekend and shift(nights/eventing) differentials; this is not something unique to per diem.

Where I work, new grads are not hired into per diem jobs. It takes weeks of orientation in a department with a preceptor to be able to function as a novice nurse. It takes at least a year or more to gain the skill you need to float to different areas and take almost any assignment.

Don't just look at the pay.

Specializes in Med surg..

I understand the pay is not the whole picture here but it is a important factor to consider if one job will be a lot less then the other with having to consider traveling. They are hiring for one unit so I would only be working on that one unit thankfully.. I understand that all full/part time employees get a differential but I was under the impression that per diems did not get a differential they just got a base pay that was a little higher then the full or part time employees.

There is no "average dollar amount extra" Depends on geographical location and the facility.

Your main concern should be the orientation you will be provided with.

What is each facility offering?

Specializes in Med surg..

The hospital that is 50 mins away is offering a orientation preceptor experience for three months. I am not sure what the other hospital is offering but from other students have told me I it is about the same and more if you feel you need extra time. Both comparable in my opinion- we shall see what other information I get when I interview in person.

Specializes in Med surg..

My main point of this discussion was to find out more information about per diem pay as I do not know a lot about it. I gave a little compare and contrast of offers in my original post to give the full story so I could get the best information! I find that first hand info from nurses and not just googling things often gives a lot more in site. I am considering many factors to these jobs and not basing it just on the pay alone...........

Specializes in Acute Care.

I work per diem and love it. I can't imagine going back to regularly scheduled shifts and every other weekend. I never have trouble picking up shifts. I call a week or two in advance (or sometimes the day before) to pick up shifts I want to work. I usually work 3-4 shifts per week. I am floated throughout the hospital. I have no say about where I am working. They put me where they need me. I enjoy this though. Every day is different. I am paid more as a per diem than I was when I was scheduled, but I do not get insurance, vacation/sick pay, or retirement savings, so it is my responsibility to save for those things. If I get cancelled (which is rare), I usually just ask to pick up a different shift. I will agree with a previous poster that I wouldn't recommend per diem as a new grad. I feel as though you should have some experience because people will rely on you to fill the gap and know what you're doing and not need to help you with basic tasks. Good luck!

I'm 6 months in with my new grad position, all of us got hired as per diem. We do get night differentials, and I believe our base rate is 25% more than regular position. Once you let people know you're available, they will come asking you to cover for them, so you should be fine getting enough hours. Of course every facility is different, and there are more aspects to consider in your situation.

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