Less pay if I accept contract?

I was offered a contract today at the hospital where i have been per diem. Sounds good except - my pay would go down $1/hr for no reason I can think of... seems to me the hospital's life would be easier for all this, and I have talked to other agency nurses there and know they make pay equal to my per diem (but through other agencies). Is this the way it goes everywhere once you sign a contract? I'm feeling a little put out...

Generally the difference is if you have a contract, you can't be cancelled. As per diem, you can, so there is less "risk" as a contractor. You trade that $1/hr for a little security.

It's the same here. Per diem agency nurses are paid a premium because we desparately need them at that time. If they sign a contract it's usually at a lower rate.

And there may be a difference in benefits. That may be a cost the employer now has that they didn't when you were with the agency.

Thanks for the replies... I was just a little weird because I would still be working for the same agency, and pretty much the same hours (just now guaranteed) and no change in benefits. To my way of thinking I was making things easier for both the agency and the hospital by being regularly scheduled and bypassing the 5am phone dance :)

Hi TxMomRn from another! I do agency per diem work too and have been offered contracts for less $$, but I have chosen to stay per diem. If I wanted to work a 40 hr week at one place I'd be doing it. But...you do what's best for YOU...if you want a little stability for awhile, its not a bad deal to consider IF its a good place to work and they cannot cancel you.