Per diem job with 4 months experience?

[mt9891]

I landed my first RN job in Jan. and I wanted to know your opinion on how to apply for a per diem position with just 4-5 months experience on my belt. I feel like I'm getting the jist of nursing and could take on a shift on a med-surg floor or something similar but would ideally like to get exposure to a different although, I understand specialty training is a bit more involved. Let me know your thoughts. Thank you all.

[Sour Lemon]

I landed my first RN job in Jan. and I wanted to know your opinion on how to apply for a per diem position with just 4-5 months experience on my belt. I feel like I'm getting the jist of nursing and could take on a shift on a med-surg floor or something similar but would ideally like to get exposure to a different although, I understand specialty training is a bit more involved. Let me know your thoughts. Thank you all.

Just look at the requirements for the position(s) you're interested in, and if you qualify, apply. Most per-diem positions require at least a year or two of experience in that area (not counting orientation time) ....but I've occasionally heard of new grads being able to secure per diem positions, so who knows?

[ap05]

I'm in the same position. I'm finding myself kind of bored with my position and I was hired in January. Hopefully we can get some more input!

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

I went per diem at my med-surg job after just eight months of FT experience, with almost seven of them out of orientation.

[SmilingBluEyes]

As long as it's med-surg and not a "specialty" floor, you should be fine, if you are out of orientation and doing well. I personally don't recommend going PRN before about 6 months' fulltime experience, however and if you are required to float, it will be very difficult indeed. Be sure your floor does not require staff floating to other units before committing to PRN.

Good luck.

[RNperdiem, RN]

To tell you the truth I went per diem after almost 3 years of ICU, and I don't know if I would have made it work with less than a year's experience. It takes a while to be really competent, able to take almost any assignment given and float to other departments.

If you go per diem, you do not get to work in an area you do not have previous experience in. For example, I don't work in labor and delivery, rehab or pediatrics; I am not qualified, and my employer is not going to invest that kind of money to train. I strictly work ICU or intermediate.