Is pay raise mandatory for per diem?

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, and transplants.

I am in nursing school, working as a tech. Up to this point (less than 6 months) I have been full time, but am changing to per diem due to NS scheduling demands.

Will I automatically be paid more for per diem? Are there any pitfalls to per diem I should know about?

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Usually the biggest pitfall to per diem is not enough hours. No benefits such as health insurance unless you are on someone else's plan or have an independent health insurance of your own. The up side is when there is work to be had you get to pick the days you are willing to work.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, and transplants.

lpnflorida - I have already seen what you mean by that. As a full time employee I was going to be scheduled for 3 days per week, every week for the next 2 months (24 days total). The minute I turned per diem (5 days before schedule was completed), I only got 1 shift during that same period.

Fortunately I don't need to work, but I do so to gain relevant experience. It comes across that there is a negative connotation to being per diem. I don't think my managers were too happy about it but I will be in school 5 -6 days per week so my availability is truly limited!

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Is pay raise mandatory for per diem?
A pay raise is NEVER mandatory... unless it's negotiated and written into a valid contract.
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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Call the human resource office ask them what your pay will be as a per diem hire.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Office, Psych.

I have to agree / no Per diem that i have ever worked with had Mandatory raises, but in our facility our staff is elegable for raises on their anniversary dates regardless of their status, per diem, ft , pt, whatever.

Our per diems are not given a set number of days, some schedules we use them alot but we have gone MONTHS without using a per diem, it all depends on the full time & part time staffing issues, i.e. vacations, holidays ... so on & so forth.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, and transplants.

Thanks for the replies. I did call my HR office and nobody wants to return the call. That's why I'm here!! :wink2:

It is my understanding that per diem position pay rates are higher than the standard rates since there are no benes. I am just trying to figure out how to approach this and if it's something I need to ask about or if it would typically be an automatic adjustment. Basically I guess it will come down to a question of policy - I just want to make sure I'm being treated fairly. Although I have received very good training wth regard to my job duties, so far I haven't been given very good explanations about policy and procedures relating to myself as an employee.

As for hours, I can pick up shifts in other units. I have one waiting for me to work into their schedule right now.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Office, Psych.
Thanks for the replies. I did call my HR office and nobody wants to return the call. That's why I'm here!! :wink2:

It is my understanding that per diem position pay rates are higher than the standard rates since there are no benes. I am just trying to figure out how to approach this and if it's something I need to ask about or if it would typically be an automatic adjustment. Basically I guess it will come down to a question of policy - I just want to make sure I'm being treated fairly. Although I have received very good training wth regard to my job duties, so far I haven't been given very good explanations about policy and procedures relating to myself as an employee.

As for hours, I can pick up shifts in other units. I have one waiting for me to work into their schedule right now.

:yeah:good luck!!!!!!!!!!!:up:

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