Per Diem job advice please

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Hello!

Some background information to my question: I am a med surg and acute rehab nurse with six months of experience. I am also a mom of four young children and am in need of finding an extra job to supplement my income. I have sent out hundreds of resumes and called multiple facilities and have been told I need a minimum of a year's worth of experience. I also live in Los Angeles and this market is tough. My question is for those of you who work per diem, especially in Los Angeles, are there places out here that hire individuals like me with under a year's worth of experience?

Thank you you in advance !

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Hello!

Some background information to my question: I am a med surg and acute rehab nurse with six months of experience. I am also a mom of four young children and am in need of finding an extra job to supplement my income. I have sent out hundreds of resumes and called multiple facilities and have been told I need a minimum of a year's worth of experience. I also live in Los Angeles and this market is tough. My question is for those of you who work per diem, especially in Los Angeles, are there places out here that hire individuals like me with under a year's worth of experience?

Thank you you in advance !

That's a tough sell. Typical orientation is about 3-4 months leaving you with 2-3 months of actual experience. At least two years of experience has been the per diem requirement for my employers ...one in LA and one in OC. It might be easier to pick up extra shifts at your current job. Let staffing know you want to be called if there's a need.

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Specializes in ICU, Adventures in school nursing.

Have you looked into being a school nurse substitute?

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Hello! Thank you for replying! I have looked into it but have not been able to find a substitute position. I will keep looking ! Thank you!

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Yikes, that is somewhat of a predicament...

Most places want at least one year of experience (especially PRN) simply because you truly don't develop a "rhythm" to your own nursing skills until around that 12-18 month mark. PRN is especially hard because you have shorter orientation and are expected to know what to do and how to do things from the go. You also need time to understand the systemic process that you are treating and why you are treating them a certain way.

My recommendation would be try and get some overtime at your current job instead of taking on a PRN position. That way you can have more income and gain more skills and knowledge in the current position your in without becoming overwhelmed. Longevity and unique skill sets are what make certain nurses more valuable than others.

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