From full time to per diem

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I just finish my first week of orientation. I used to work per diem in another facility and I made $12 more per hour. I am a experienced nurse working full time but I do not need benefits, so I am thinking to ask HR on Monday to change me from full time to Per Diem. My dilemma: How to ask them in a professional way in my second week of orientation? Opinions please.

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I am a per diem nurse also but I am also the first nurse that gets cancel. As of now I haven't worked for like 2 weeks. I would like to get a full time. So if u decide to switch just keep that in mind.

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Specializes in LTC.

I wouldn't do this. You'd get the last pick of shifts and who knows if your facility even pays more for per diem.

Stay full-time unless your obligations outside of work don't allow for that.

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical.
i am a per diem nurse also but i am also the first nurse that gets cancel. as of now i haven't worked for like 2 weeks. i would like to get a full time. so if u decide to switch just keep that in mind.

i am in the same predicament except the hospital where i work at has been canceling me for an entire month now. this might not be an issue for an rn who does per diem as a second source of income, however for me right now it's the only source of income. needless to say my pile of bills are reaching my ceiling.

to the original writer of this post, i wouldn't get rid of my permanent job. they are a dime-a-dozen in our present economic state.:no:

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Specializes in OB/GYN/Neonatal/Office/Geriatric.

Ouch. I would definitely not do this at the present time. I think they would look on it pretty sourly and you may not receive any calls. If possible I would finish orientation and work for 6 months to get the experience for that particular facility. I would love a full time position right now, but I have not been able to find one. Good Luck. This is a difficult predicament.

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Are benefits an option that you can choose not to take? Maybe you can keep the permanent position just without the benefits? I've worked for places where benefits were an option and that may boost your paycheck a bit - some companies may even pay you to waive the benefits... I'd ask HR if you can waive the benefits - I would assume :D that you may have that option instead of giving up the position for per diem.

Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Actually, I think it's pretty unfair to your employer. You accepted a full time position that they believe they now have filled and after just one week you want to change things.

Honestly, as a boss, I would probably happily let you change, hire myself a new full time person and call you only in dire emergency. If you're already changing your mind after a week, I would have to wonder what else you are going to come up with to give me grief. I've got plenty of headaches already and wouldn't choose to put up with this.

Sorry if this sounds harsh. I don't mean as an attack on you personally just helping you to see how this may be viewed by an employer.

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Are you sure that this is really what you want to do? With this economy, you might would want to think things over. However, if money won't be an issue for you or your personal situation makes it impossible for you to go full-time, then you can go ask to switch to per diem. It can back-fire on you though, your boss can simply let you go or not call you to work at all.

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If they hired you at FT, this would be a bad thing to do right away. They need a FT nurse..not a per diem or they would have hired you as per diem.

Wait a while, put some feelers out, then ask.

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Thanks for all your opinions. I was thinking in that options because I met a new grad in there and she is making the same money as me. She work in the other side permanently 40 hours Per Diem. I have been a nurse for a while and I do not need medical and dental insurance. Thanks again for your opinions I think all of you are right. I am blessed to have a job.

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Specializes in LTC.
Thanks for all your opinions. I was thinking in that options because I met a new grad in there and she is making the same money as me. She work in the other side permanently 40 hours Per Diem. I have been a nurse for a while and I do not need medical and dental insurance. Thanks again for your opinions I think all of you are right. I am blessed to have a job.

Keep in mind also just because one nurse is getting that.. doesn't mean you will if you take that path.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I agree with others. The facility hired you in a full time line, which you accepted, because there was a need. If you ask to go PRN, they will likely be in a bind. Not really fair. Also, as people have mentioned, if you are PRN, you may not work for months. It depends. Where I am, when there are shifts to pick up, the part timers are asked first. If it happens that the part timers want the shifts, casuals have less.

Also, you may not be their first choice to call as PRN, since you basically demonstrated through canceling your full time that you aren't reliable. Just something to consider.

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