Per diem and benefits

suzanne4, RN · Feb 3, 2008

Most per diem positions are considered non-benefit and therefore you do not qualify for any of the benefits, even to purchase on your own.

Suggest that you check directly with the facility that you are interested in. You can usually purchase this type of policy thru another company and get group terms.

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2008

I'm a per diem employee and I am not able to get STD, LTD or life insurance. I can get dental and health although I pay the full premium for it.

Miss Mab · Feb 5, 2008

What I've found is per diem benefits generally fall into one of three categories and each facility will have their own policy which also can vary WIDELY within an organization and each individual hospital---like Sutter, or HCA/etc.

1) Per diem only---no benefits nor chance for any. Just enjoy the extra $$$

2) Per diem---with the option of paying for the benes that you want

3) Per diem---based on the number of hours you work, you may actually end up qualifying for the majority of benefits including sick and vacation time with heavily prorated rates for med/dental/retirement/iLTD/STD programs based on those hours worked.

Now, this is all info I learned the hard way. I went per diem at my last job (was covered under fiancee's excellent plans) and so I enjoyed the extra cash but still worked at full time or more each pay period. No big deal, I signed up for it.

Come to find out, howver, that doing the exact same thing at another company facility--and one closer to my home no less--would have allowed me the greater $$$ AND access to PTO/Sick/vac like everyone else who worked as many hours as I did.

My bad for not knowing.

Obviously each facility can set there own rules as to what is "fair" but as I am the "commodity" in this situation I will be a little more careful in the selection of my next per diem job.

Good luck with yours!