Per Diem Job in Different Specialty?

[2019RNBSN2019, BSN, RN]

I am a Pediatric Progressive Care Unit nurse at a children’s hospital in my area. Most of the children on my floor are trached/vented patients that are stable enough to leave the NICU/PICU but not ready to go home or to a facility yet. Our focus is on weaning patients and educating families about how to care for the vents at home. I wanted to pick up a few extra shifts here and there as a per diem but was wondering if it was possible to do this in a speciality I am not “trained in.” More specifically, I would love to get some NICU experience but am unsure if this would even be possible. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated!☺️

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

My guess is that it would be difficult. Employers look for per diem specialty pool staff to be ready to "hit the floor running", sort of like travelers. You'd probably have more luck transferring to NICU when there's an open position and getting a standard orientation from them.

Can you ask about shadowing someone in the NICU to show your interest?

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Probably best to go full time in NICU and stay per diem at your current job. That way you're getting a much more extensive and consistent learning experience.